S:1 E:7: How to teach offline in an online environment

Summary:
In this engaging episode of "Practical Access," hosts Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines invite Luis Perez, the Disability and Digital Inclusion Lead at CAST, to discuss the vital topic of accessibility and universal design for learning (UDL). Perez shares his personal journey, having been diagnosed with a visual impairment as an adult, and how it fuels his passion for making digital spaces more inclusive.

Resources:
1. 

Highlights:
- Personal Experience with Disability: Luis Perez opens up about his life-changing diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease that led to his visual impairment. This personal connection adds a profound layer to the discussion on accessibility.
- The Essence of Universal Design for Learning: Perez elaborates on the core principles of UDL and how it intertwines with accessibility. He stresses that UDL is about creating beneficial and equitable experiences for everyone, surpassing mere compliance with standards.
- Practical Strategies for Educators and Parents: The episode provides actionable advice for educators and parents on implementing accessibility features, focusing on the wealth of resources available at the AIM Center at CAST.
- Future of Accessibility in Tech: Perez touches on the evolving landscape of AI and digital technology, emphasizing the importance of keeping the user experience at the forefront of AI development to ensure accessibility for all.

This episode of Practical Access features Avien Henry, the Principal of the Children's Learning Center at Helen Keller Services. During this episode, she, along with Drs. Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines provide valuable insights into early childhood education for children with special needs. Dr. Henry's experience and strategies offer practical advice for educators and parents seeking to create supportive, inclusive, and effective learning environments for young learners with diverse needs. Also, she discusses the unique approaches and tools used in her preschool program to support diverse learners.

Resources
Link to Taptillo: https://www.taptilo.com/

Key Points Discussed:

1.  Dr. Henry's Background and School Overview:  Dr. Henry details her transition from working in public schools to her current role at a preschool specializing in children with visual impairments, autism, and other multiple disabilities. 

2. Transitioning to Specialized Early Education: Insights on shifting from a general education setting to a niche school focusing on early intervention and specialized needs.

3. Parental Partnerships and Communication: Emphasis on working closely with parents as partners and maintaining open communication to understand each child's needs better.

4. Classroom Setup and Instructional Strategies: Utilizing visuals and tactile elements, structured and small group activities, and specialized programs like touch math to support learning.

5. Movement and Safety in Classroom: Balancing the need for movement with safety, especially for visually impaired students. Strategies include guided exploration and consistent classroom layouts.

6. Inclusive and Structured Environments: Creating inclusive classrooms that cater to various needs while maintaining structure. Importance of functional and purposeful classroom setups.

7. Technology in Early Education: Discuss technology like Tactillo, a tactile device linked to an app that facilitates braille learning for visually impaired students.

8. Early Intervention and Advice for Parents: Dr. Henry stresses the importance of early intervention and encourages parents to seek support and trust their instincts regarding their child's development.

9. Closing Thoughts: Dr. Henry advises parents and educators to be proactive in supporting early childhood education and to seek appropriate resources and interventions.

This episode of Practical Access discusses Drs. Lisa Dieker & Rebecca Hines' Federal Grant project called FLIGHT STEM Coaching,  which focuses on assisting math and science coaches in supporting special education teachers. The project utilizes a tool called Debriefscape, offering a comprehensive coaching and professional development approach.

FLIGHT STEM Coaching with Debriefscape represents an innovative approach to professional development and coaching in special education. By combining video technology, targeted resource gathering, and a flexible coaching model, the project aims to enhance math and science teaching in special education settings. The episode encourages educators to explore and adapt these tools to their individual and institutional needs, contributing to the evolution of inclusive and effective teaching practices.

Website: https://www.cs.ucf.edu/~ceh/EDGrants/DScape/

YouTube video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Obw0D0dCJJs

Key Points Discussed:

1. Purpose of FLIGHT STEM Coaching: This initiative aims to aid coaches (including principals) in guiding special education teachers who are teaching math and science. The acronym FLIGHT stands for Flexible Learning through Innovations and Technology in Education, highlighting the project's focus on adaptable and technology-driven educational strategies.

2. Debriefscape as a Coaching Tool: The hosts discuss the utility of Debriefscape in facilitating effective coaching. This tool allows for video recording of teaching sessions, where behaviors can be tagged and reviewed. It is designed for both self-reflection by teachers and for use by coaches in providing targeted feedback.

3. Professional Development Resources: The project includes resources for teachers to pursue their professional development independently, moving away from a top-down coaching model to a more personalized approach.

4. Targeted Support for Math and Science: Recognizing the limited resources in special education for math and science, the project gathers and vets resources specifically beneficial for these subjects, ensuring they align with best practices in special education.

5. Biometric Data Integration: The project is exploring the integration of biometrics, such as heart rate monitoring, to provide insights into teachers' responses during teaching and coaching sessions.

6. Customizable and User-Friendly: Debriefscape and the associated resources are designed to be customizable and user-friendly, catering to the specific needs of different educators and contexts. This includes the potential for districts to add their specific goals, like trauma-informed skills or math competencies.

7. Ongoing Development and Accessibility: The project is in its development stages, with plans to include around 1,500 resources. All tools and resources developed through this project will be freely available online.

In this episode of Practical Access, Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines discuss Project RAISE (Robots and Artificial Intelligence to Improve Social Skills for Elementary Students), a federally funded initiative aimed at integrating AI and robotics in educational settings. The project is a collaboration with UCP of Central Florida and led by computer science expert Charlie Hughes, among others.

Link to website: 

https://www.ucf.edu/research/research-project/raise-robots-and-artificial-intelligence-to-improve-social-skills-for-elementary-students/

Key Points:

1. Purpose of Project RAISE: The project focuses on using robotics and AI to aid the development of social and communication skills in elementary students, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders. The initiative seeks to merge technology, engineering, science, and math skills with targeted social skills training.

2. Engagement with Technology and Peers: The project involves students learning to code robots through an interactive AI agent, fostering both technical and social skills. Students first work with the AI agent alone and then bring a friend to collaborate, promoting social interactions and peer teaching.

3. Use of Avatar in Classroom: An avatar named Zoobee guides students through activities and provides non-judgmental, consistent feedback, reinforcing positive behaviors. This AI component helps students practice communication in a safe, controlled environment.

4. Recording and Analyzing Student Interactions: The project involves recording and analyzing student interactions with the AI and peers to study social reciprocity in conversations. This data helps in understanding and improving social skills among participants.

5. Biometrics for Emotional Recognition: The project also experiments with biometrics, using devices to monitor physiological changes indicative of stress. This aspect aims to understand and respond to the emotional needs of students better.

6. Impact on Students with Autism: The hosts discuss the potential of such AI-driven projects to significantly aid students with autism by providing a safe space to interact, learn, and express emotions.

7. Future Directions and Accessibility: The project aims to make its resources available for broader use after completion. The hosts emphasize the importance of such initiatives in making education more inclusive and tailored to individual student needs.

In this follow-up episode on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Drs. Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines explore its multifaceted role. The discussion is framed around a book by Reid Hoffman, written in collaboration with ChatGPT, focusing on the impact and potential of AI in enhancing human capabilities in educational settings.

Link to Reid Hoffman & ChatGPT Discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myWPwwj0THE

This episode highlights the need for educators and students to approach AI as a critical tool that can significantly enhance learning experiences and outcomes when used ethically and creatively. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with AI mindfully, focusing on developing critical thinking skills and using AI to supplement human intellect, not a replacement.

Key Points Discussed:

1. AI as an Educational Tool: The hosts debate comparing AI to past educational technologies like calculators and the internet. 

2. AI’s Potential in Problem-Solving: The discussion emphasizes AI as a tool for researchers and educators to solve critical problems by enabling creative thought. Lisa shares a story illustrating the transformative power of internet information, underscoring the need for critical examination of AI-generated content like Khan Amigos.  Link: https://www.khanacademy.org/khan-labs

3. Critical Thinking and AI: The episode stresses the importance of developing critical thinking skills alongside AI literacy. 

4. Navigating AI's Limitations and Misinformation: Dr. Dieker discusses the 'hallucinations' of AI, including nonsensical responses, plausible but incorrect information, and AI's overreach in claiming capacities it doesn't possess. This leads to a conversation about the importance of using AI responsibly and ethically in classrooms.

5. Empowering Students with AI: The hosts advocate for introducing AI technology to students early, teaching them to seek answers and support their learning independently. They emphasize the role of AI in leveling the playing field, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

6. AI and Assessments: The conversation concludes with the potential of AI in designing assessments that analyze and indicate students' critical thinking and creativity, moving beyond traditional fact-based testing.

This episode of Practical Access offers a comprehensive look at how AI can be a valuable asset in education, from assisting in lesson planning to enhancing student engagement. Drs. Lisa Dieker & Rebecca Hines encourage educators to explore AI tools, considering ethical considerations and the potential for increased efficiency and customization in teaching and learning.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Customization through AI: Dr. Hines highlights the potential of AI, like ChatGPT, in assisting teachers with customization and differentiation in their teaching methods. 

Link: www.chatGPT.com

2. Ethical Use and Bias in AI: Dr. Dieker points out the importance of ethical use of AI in education. She emphasizes the need to be aware of potential biases in AI outputs, especially regarding historical and cultural content.

3. AI as a Scaffold in Education: The hosts discuss how AI can serve as a scaffold in education, aiding in tasks like writing and research. 

4. Empowering Students with AI: The conversation touches on how students can be empowered to use AI for tasks like crafting topic sentences or supporting arguments, fostering independence, and skill-building.

5. Innovative AI Tools and Applications: The hosts mention several AI tools like DALL-E and Blabberize, discussing how these can add novelty and engagement in the classroom. 

Link: https://openai.com/dall-e-2

Link: https://blabberize.com

6. Encouraging Clear Communication with AI: The hosts discuss how using AI can help students develop clear and concise communication skills, as precise input leads to more relevant AI-generated content.

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Don't forget we love to hear from our listeners. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Google Phone (407) 900- 9305, Facebook (Practical Access), Twitter (@AccessPractical), or Instagram (@Practical_Access).

In this insightful episode of Practical Access, hosts Drs. Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines discuss the evolving landscape of education, particularly focusing on technology's role in shaping flexible learning methods. The episode opens with Dr. Dieker sharing her recent move to the University of Kansas, where she highlights her involvement in the School of Education and Human Sciences and her role in the Department of Special Education.

This episode of Practical Access provides a thought-provoking dialogue on the critical role of technology in shaping future educational practices. It underscores the importance of flexible learning, accessibility, and the need for constant adaptation and innovation in the field of education.

Don't forget we love to hear from our listeners. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Google Phone (407) 900- 9305, Facebook (Practical Access), Twitter (@AccessPractical), or Instagram (@Practical_Access).

Today we interview Dr. Mary Little, a Professor of Exceptional Student Education at the University of Central Florida and in expert in partnerships. Tune in to learn about her experience and her goal to improve K-12 student learning, especially within diverse, urban schools.

Don't forget we love to hear from our listeners. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Google Phone (407) 900- 9305, Facebook (Practical Access), Twitter (@AccessPractical), or Instagram (@Practical_Access).

Less than 2 percent of public school teachers in the United States are African American men. Call Me MISTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) was established to help increase the number of African American males in the classroom. Call Me MISTER is an innovative and effective leadership development program for African American males to prepare and place them as teachers and role models in elementary schools. The program aims to address the most pressing educational concerns, including achievement gaps and dropout rates in the African-American community. 

Today we interview Dr. Charmion Rush, an Associate Professor of Inclusive and Special Education at Western Carolina University, and the Call Me MiSTER cohort she leads. Tune in to learn how the program provides financial and academic support, program mentors, summer leadership institutes, and professional development opportunities designed specifically for the MISTERs. 

Don't forget we love to hear from our listeners? If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Google Phone (407) 900- 9305, Facebook (Practical Access), Twitter (@AccessPractical), or Instagram (@Practical_Access).