The document describes a workshop model for integrating simple technology into classrooms to increase student participation and engagement. It outlines five activity centers that were set up at the workshops, each with tasks related to core subjects like math, literacy, science and art. Examples of materials used include switches, adapted toys, bubble machines and pourers. The goal is to give students meaningful ways to interact with peers using switches in fun and functional activities.

1. Simple Technology Integration in the Classroom: A Workshop Model That Works Bonnie N. Young & Wendy Homlish Assistive Technology Consultants Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit Schnecksville, PA

2. Why do it? Student Issues: Student doing the same thing day after day The “fun factor” Relate switch use to a functional activity Get students more involved in classroom activities Increase participation with peers

3. Why do it?…… Staff Issues: Use simple battery operated items in a novel way Get away from “Hit your switch!” Increase awareness and implementation of IEP goals and objectives Think “outside the box” Process vs. product

4. Who…… Teachers of the Multiple Disabilities Classes Elementary Secondary Regular Education Teachers Instructional Assistants Speech Language Pathologists OTs

5. How did we determine need? Poll teachers Classroom observations Research Web based Listserves

6. Materials-the beginning Determined what teachers already had in the classroom Put together a list of items for secondary & elementary levels Gathered ideas for activities from a variety of resources (internet, manufacturers, resource books)

7. Materials – the final product Battery operated (off the shelf): Cars/trucks Fans Bubble machines Zizzers Spin Art Manufacturer’s products: Switch adapted camera (AbleNet) Pourer (Enabling Devices) All-Turn-It spinner (AbleNet)

8. Disposable items… Specialty papers for spin art Window Cling Magnetic Paper Photo Paper Postcard/Business Cards Items for: “heavy/light” & “sink/float” activities Velcro *Battery Adapters AA & C *Notching tool *available from AbleNet

9. Workshop Set-up Five color coded groups Pre-set by presenters – why? Color coded name tags Group picture schedules Five curriculum-based centers with task cards

10. Five Centers Math Reading/Literacy Leisure Art Science

11. Math Center Activity “ Go the Distance Math” Materials Switches Masking tape Yardstick Adapted cars/trucks

12. Objective & Activity Description “ To actively participate in a cooperative math activity” Make “distance line” on floor with tape Mark off increments Activate cars Determine distance (concepts of farther, number, inches, feet, less, more)

13. Exploring Measurement

14. Ready…Set…GO!!!

15. Reading/Literacy Center Activity “ Book Report” Material -Book -All-Turn-It Spinner or adapted Spin Art -Pre-written sentences about the book that was read -Switch -Book report template

16. Objective & Activity Description “ To prepare a book report of up to 4 sentences” 1. Student “reads” story (IntelliKeys, tape player, etc.) 2. Student activates spinner to create sentences in book report (pre-created by teacher and placed on spinner) 3. Partner writes sentences on book report template 4. For last line of report, student indicates (pointing, eye gaze, AAC device) whether he/she liked or didn’t like this book

17. Creating a unique story

18. Playing the “Match Game”

19. Leisure Activity Center Activity “ Boat Races” Materials Switches Adapted fan Tub for water Small plastic boats

20. Objective & Activity Description “ To actively participate in a leisure activity” 1. Attach switch to fan 2.Fill tub with water 3. Place boats in water 4. Have student activate fan to blow boat across water 5. See who wins!

21. Boat races – “I win!”

22. Art Center Activity “ Bubble Art” Materials Switches Adapted bubble machine Bubble solution Food coloring or pain Easel or kraft paper

23. Objective & Activity Description “ To design and create bulletin board background/wrapping paper/book covers, etc. Color bubble solution with powdered tempera or food coloring Tape paper to floor Activate bubble machine and create design Use templates for variation

24. The budding artists hard at work…

25. Science Center Activity “ Sink or Float” Materials 1. Switches 2. Pourer (Enabling Devices) 3. Small objects of varying weights 4. Container for water

26. Objective & Activity Description “ To actively participate in a cooperative science activity” 1. Fill container with water 2. Assemble items of varying weights 3. Put items into pourer and have student dump each item into the water 4. Discuss which items sink and which items float

27. Blown away by science!

28. Task Card Example Activity: (ART) Creating Bulletin Board Backgrounds ******************************************** Objective: To create bulletin board background paper for Halloween Materials: Adapted bubble machine Switches Bubble soap Paint or food coloring What you do: Attach switch to bubble machine Prepare bubble soap by adding paint or food coloring Place paper on floor Blow bubbles on paper to create design Variations: Use shape templates (cut-out with adapted scissors) to create designs Either directly paint on the shapes placed on the easel paper (when removed, an unpainted area will remain Use paper from which the template was cut, and paint “through” the hole to create a design Note: Most Bubble Machines are also fans! Since they’re already adapted, why not use it to dry your creation??!! **Have communication board/device available for student to choose colors, as well as comment on the project .

29. Simple Tech Kits Elementary and Secondary levels Rotating basis Contents Ongoing development

33. This……

34. … or this??!!!

35. Resources AbleNet Resource Guide www.ablenetinc.com www.ataccess.org www.projectparticipate.org Breaking Barriers , Levin, Jackie, and Lynn Scherferenberg, (AbleNet) Book of Possibilities , AbleNet Childfun.com