This document provides an agenda for a two-day workshop on supporting students with learning disabilities. Day one will be held in Dandenong on September 29th and day two in Frankston on September 30th. The agenda includes registration, introductions, presentations on learning disabilities and teaching strategies, breaks for morning tea and lunch, and a workshop close. Presenters Karen Starkiss and Cheryl Dobbs are introduced, with backgrounds in teaching students with learning difficulties and assistive technologies respectively. Contact information is provided for Chisholm Student Services disability support.

1. Workshop Agenda
29 September 2015 Dandenong & 30 September 2015 Frankston
Building G - 101/102 Building D - 306/307
8.45am Registration
9am Indigenous acknowledgement
9.05am Workshop welcome
9.15am An overview of specific learning disabilities
10.30am Morning tea
10.40am Good teaching practice & learning strategies
11.50am Assistive technology in the classroom
1pm Lunch with Q&A
2pm Workshop close
SUPPORTING
STUDENTS WITH
LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN
YOUR CLASSROOM
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

2. Workshop Presenters
Karen Starkiss
Karen Starkiss: brings over 30 years of experience as a teacher of primary &
secondary students. In England, she was Principal of one of the top
performing primary schools, despite the fact that she had the highest
number of students with severe Learning Difficulties (LD) in the County.
She has also worked in “failing” schools to quickly improve standards of
teaching & learning. She is owner of Dyslexia Assessments & Support
Services & Director of Learning & Development for Speld Victoria.
Karen has wide experience in assessing dyslexic children, teenagers & adults
for learning difficulties & provides in-service PD to schools, TAFEs, colleges
and to employers about creating an inclusive workplace. Karen has been
interviewed by the Age & on ABC radio about her expertise in dyslexia & has
advised a Government Task Force in Canberra about students with LD. Karen
has also worked with the Education team in the ACT & Northern Territories,
to put together a program to help all schools and colleges become inclusive
& accessible to all students, providing training for Expert & Lead teachers &
professionals. She is currently on the Focus Group for DET Victoria, advising
on their new strategy for students with LD including dyslexia.
Cheryl Dobbs
Cheryl Dobbs is an Independent Consultant and Trainer who specializes
in the use of digital technologies to support literacy and learning. She has
worked in a range of mainstream and specialist educational settings
teaching children and adults with diverse learning needs. Cheryl enriches
the content of all presentations with her additional experience in
educational software development and academic research.
Cheryl now works with schools, students, parents and other allied
professionals to explore and use technologies effectively to address specific
needs and empower independent learning. She regularly presents at
conferences, facilitates hands-on workshops, contributes to publications and
continues to be an active member of the British Dyslexia Association’s New
Technologies Committee. Her particular expertise is the use of digital
technologies to support the process of writing.
Chisholm Student Services - Disability Support
03 9212 5269
disabilitysupport@chisholm.edu.au