Click here to view the transcription of this webinar.
In this interactive webinar, DJ Cunningham helped educators understand how to utilize assistive technology in the classroom to enhance student engagement and learning.
Leading with pedagogy and following with technology is an approach to help students strategically understand how to use assistive educational technology, such as Read&Write for Google ChromeTM and Google Apps for Education. Participants were introduced to a framework that looks at six “functional focus” areas: writing, organization, research, comprehension, idea generation, and study and test skills. This approach utilizes self-directed instructional videos and techtorials to provide students with new approaches to enhance their learning and improve outcomes. Participants were provided with with helpful resources and access to a cloud based tool.
DJ 
Cunningham, CEO of LEARNstyle, has a personal connection to learning disabilities; in grade 4 he was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. In school he faced all the issues related to hidden disabilities: feelings of inadequacy and stupidity, concealment, embarrassment, ridicule, teasing, being viewed as lazy or defiant. He used common coping mechanisms such as becoming invisible; acting out; and at times and with growing sophistication, “playing the LD card.” While attending Trent University, he discovered assistive technologies and a door to independence and academic success opened. DJ has been a user of Assistive Technologies for the past 10 years and has trained hundreds of students and led numerous training workshops.
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