SETDirect
SETDirect is an electronic newsletter for educators on assistive technology issues and resources. SET-BC publishes SETDirect to provide current information to support the implementation of technology for students with special needs in British Columbia. If you would like to be added to the SETDirect mailing list, click here to Subscribe. If you wish to Unsubscribe from SETDirect, Unsubscribe here
SET-BC Direct: June 2001 Special Education Technology-British Columbia Welcome to SET-BC Direct, an on-line newsletter for people who are interested in issues and resources regarding the use of assistive technologies in education. SET-BC Direct is intended to help teachers and other professionals who have questions regarding the implementation of technology for students with special needs. Subscribers may also be interested in the SET-BC program itself; our model for service delivery and the projects we develop to better assist students with disabilities.
In this issue:
1. SET News
1. SET News
Odyssey, the fourth biennial conference for Canadian Vision Teachers was held in Vancouver at the University of British Columbia, June 1-3, 2001. It was a great opportunity for members of the Vision community to network and take in the wonderful sessions that were offered throughout the conference. SET-BC participated in several sessions - a highlight was one session that was presented by students, their Vision teacher and the SET-BC team, regarding the use of technology in their curriculum activities. The conference was a huge success and SET-BC offers a big thank you to the organizing committee for bringing this conference to British Columbia.
As the school year ends, it is time for SET-BC to reflect on the successes and challenges of the year and to begin to look ahead at planning for 2001-2002.
This year has been a productive year, as we continue to build working partnerships with our school districts teams, special needs technology agencies, and vendors. The number and quality of the Assistive-Technology workshops and training opportunities throughout the year was truly amazing.
SET Direct goes on summer vacation!
This is our last issue of SET Direct until September 2001. Be sure to check out SET-BC's - Upcoming events calendar in the fall.
2. Training Opportunities
1 - SET-BC presented a pre-conference workshop, on Vision Technologies, at ODYSSEY 2001: NEW FRONTIERS, the Canadian Vision Teachers' Fourth Biennial Conference held at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, May 31 - June 03, 2001. Read about the workshop and download the Vision Technologies Resource Booklet.
2 - SET-BC's Vision and AAC camps provide an opportunity for students who use complex technologies to spend extra time, in a camp environment, to use their technologies independently. For more information, visit SET-BC's Vision Tech and @Virtual Voices web pages.
3. Project Updates SET-BC has the pleasure of announcing the Emerging Braille Literacy Project.
4. Software Kudos
At the recent Odyssey conference, two visually impaired Surrey students, highlighted the resources available through the Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia 2001, Deluxe Edition. This was a good reminder what a useful educational tool Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia can be.
Highlights: Grolier offers a solid search engine and functional display layout, in language suitable for middle school and above students. Entries are composed of both text, and related media, pictures and sounds, and knowledge webs. Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia also functions as the interface for web searches, making on-line searches easy and time efficient.
Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia works with Jaws 3.5 and higher, and is available in CD format and on-line.
Enter the prize draw to win a Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, 2001 Deluxe Edition.
Winner of the SET-BC prize draw for Don Johnston Inc. software was Paul Strukoff. Paul is a SET-BC District Partner and Learning Assistance/Special Ed. Teacher at John A. Hutton Elementary School, Grand Forks, B.C.
5. Web Travel
EnchantedLearning.com - Educators are spreading the news about the EnchantedLearning.com site that contains Theme Calendars, Craft Ideas,and Activity Printouts. I searched for "calendar" and found 301 monthly, theme based calendars from which to choose. Craft ideas on today's page include a School Memory Books template, Father's Day cards, and Memory boxes. Teachers and parents alike will enjoy this site.
www.copernic.com - Copernic is a (PC) stand alone Metasearch program. Copernic is rated as a Top Ten Internet Tool and it is free. Copernic is able to: Access 80 search engines grouped into 7 categories; Filter out irrelevant information and dead links; Preview documents; Save your search results; Use Quick Search options; Obtain instant search result translation in seven languages.
6. Partners SET-BC's partnerships with international presenters provides opportunity for educators to glean ideas and resources from around the world. On May 30, 2001, SET-BC teams participated in a Mountbatten Pro workshop led by Tim Connell of Quantum Technologies, Australia. Workshop attendees enjoyed the content packed, resource rich, hands-on day presented by Mr. Connell.
7. Tips & Tricks This is a good time of year to consider making a back-up copy of any essential student data or vocabulary that you do not want to lose over the summer. Every fall we see a higher incidence of machine failure (usually due to battery failure) than at any other time of the year. Do not store or send home with a student, any material that you cannot afford to lose.
SET-BC is a Provincial Resource Program funded by the B.C. Ministry of Education. Its purpose is to assist school districts in British Columbia in meeting the technology needs of students with physical disabilities and visual impairments. SET-BC Direct is copyright © 2001 by Special Education Technology-British Columbia. Excerpts used for the purposes of quotation must be attributed explicitly to Special Education Technology-British Columbia. The information contained in this newsletter is drawn from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information is not guaranteed, nor in providing it does Special Education Technology-British Columbia assume any liability. This newsletter is a public commentary for informational purposes only and does not represent an invitation to purchase or endorse products, and is not to be construed as a source of buy or sell recommendations. |