Archived Webinars

Presenters:
Bridget Gilormini, PACER Center and Heidi Kraemer, IBM

Running Time: 120 minutes

Description:

A large component of the Young Explorer computers is the preloaded early learning software. This Webinar gave participants an overview of important software features. The agenda included an introduction of the KidDesk and the early learning software programs including Bailey's Book House, Millie's Math House, Sammy’s Science House, Trudy’s Time and Place and Thinkin’ Things. Presentation consisted of power point, screen shots, and live demonstration. Handouts and support materials will be available.

Agenda:

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Annette Cerreta, PACER Center, and Tara Bakken, PACER Center

Running Time: 120 minutes

Description:

This workshop was designed to help parents and professionals sort through an increasing number of options for accessing digital books for students with print-related disabilities. Even if participants had minimal experience with computers and the Internet, they learned how to find and use digital books in formats that learners can use.

Topics included:

• What are digital books? In what formats are they available?
• Why are digital books important for students with disabilities?
• Where can I obtain digital books for my student?
• What software and hardware are needed to access digital books?
• Can schools provide digital textbooks?
• How do copyright laws affect students with print disabilities?

Participants learned about several online resources, software programs, and devices that can be used to access and customize digital books to meet the needs of students with print disabilities.

Agenda:

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Jonathan Campbell, PACER Center, and Meghan Kunz, PACER Center

Running Time: 60 minutes

Description:

This Webinar is the fifth and final workshop in a series on basic assistive technology funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education.  Now that you have some great new knowledge about assistive technology what do you do with it?  How can you go deeper and acquire more knowledge about assistive technology?  Where do you go if you have questions about assistive technology beyond this workshop series?  Participants learned about available regional and state resources to help them get answers to frequently asked assistive technology questions.

Agenda:

Funding for the live Webinars was made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. The source of funding is from federal award, Grants to States-Special Education CFDA 84.027, P.L. 108-446 Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Tara Bakken, PACER Center, and Meghan Kunz, PACER Center

Running Time: 90 minutes

Description:

This Webinar is the fourth in a series on basic assistive technology funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education.  Participants received an overview of assistive technology supports for reading, writing, and math curricula. The session included demonstrations, and information on useful Internet resources, technology vendor links and more.

Agenda:

Funding for the live Webinars was made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. The source of funding is from federal award, Grants to States-Special Education CFDA 84.027, P.L. 108-446 Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Vava Guthrie, PACER Parent Trainer and Advocate

Running Time: 60 minutes

Description:

Like all public schools, charter schools receive federal funds and therefore must follow federal and state laws, including those that address education for children with disabilities.

In the on-line webinar, parents and professionals are invited to learn about:

• Federal and state laws regarding charter schools
• Questions for parents to ask when considering charter school enrollment
• Evaluation
• The Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Working together

Followed by optional Q&A

Agenda:

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Bridget Gilormini, PACER Center, and Tenley McDonald, PACER Center

Running Time: 60 minutes

Description:

This Webinar is the third in a series on basic assistive technology funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education.  Participants were given an overview of the consideration process as mandated by IDEA and were introduced to the “Minnesota Assistive Technology Manual.”  Participants also learned about state and local resources for trying, acquiring and funding assistive technology.

Agenda:

Funding for the live Webinars was made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. The source of funding is from federal award, Grants to States-Special Education CFDA 84.027, P.L. 108-446 Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Swett, Early Childhood Coordinator, and Kim Kang, Director of Public Policy and Early Childhood

Running Time: 60 minutes

Description:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) recognizes the important role families play in their children’s lives. Families know their child’s strengths, interests, and frustrations, and so they must be included in the evaluation process and in developing outcomes for their child. This free workshop will provide a brief overview of topics to help parents of children, ages 0 -3, understand the early intervention system in Minnesota.

Participants will learn about:

• Families’ rights, roles, and responsibilities in the early intervention system
• How to make a referral
• The evaluation process
• Development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
• Services in the natural environment
• How to resolve differences

Followed by optional Q&A

Agenda:

This event is funded in part by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education.

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Annette Cerreta, PACER Center, and Tenley McDonald, PACER Center

Running Time: 60 minutes

Description:

This Webinar is the second in a series on basic assistive technology funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. Participants were introduced to the continuum of assistive technology and the relevant legal requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Tips were given about selecting appropriate assistive technology solutions.

Agenda:

Funding for the live Webinars was made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. The source of funding is from federal award, Grants to States-Special Education CFDA 84.027, P.L. 108-446 Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Barb Ziemke, PACER Parent Trainer and Advocate

Running Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Description:

This on-line workshop for parents of children with disabilities will address these questions:

• What is educational inclusion?
• How can parents use the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process to plan for inclusion?
• How does the IEP team decide what is the least restrictive environment?
• Why is it important to have access to the general curriculum?
• Why and how should my child participate in district and state assessments?
• What is the state of educational inclusion in the United States and in Minnesota?

Agenda:

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Bridget Ames, PACER Center, Annette Cerreta, PACER Center, and Jonathan Campbell, PACER Center

Running Time: 60 minutes

Description:

This Webinar is the first in a series on basic assistive technology funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. Participants learned how to participate in a Webinar, troubleshoot potential problems, find free assistive technology Webinar resources and gained an overview of the rest of this Webinar series.

Agenda:

Funding for the live Webinars was made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. The source of funding is from federal award, Grants to States-Special Education CFDA 84.027, P.L. 108-446 Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Carolyn Anderson and Vava Guthrie, PACER Parent Trainer and Advocates

Running Time: 120 minutes

Description:

The special education process can be compared to building a house. There is a logical order to both. This workshop will cover how to use the building blocks of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to develop appropriate services for your student.

Participants will learn about:

• understanding parental rights and responsibilities
• building a foundation for the Individualized Education
• Program (IEP)
• involving the IEP team
• developing the IEP
• meeting educational standards
• resolving differences

Agenda:

This event is funded in part by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Pat Anderson and Vava Guthrie, Parent Trainer and Advocates

Running Time: 90 minutes

Description:

This on-line workshop is designed to provide participants the options and outcomes of dispute resolution. Communication strategies and problem-solving tips will be included to increase participants’ knowledge about dispute resolution.

The workshop will help participants:

• Understand dispute resolution options
• Reduce disagreements through effective communication
• Know which option to choose in various situations
• Learn how to develop and organize important special education records
• Participants will need a computer and phone line. The webinar can be accessed at home, school or business.

Agenda:

This event is funded in part by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Bridget Ames, PACER Center and Meghan Kunz, PACER Center

Running Time: 120 minutes

Description:

Many learners understand what they see better than what they hear. For these learners, visual strategies can be a powerful tool in helping learners understand directions, expectations, schedules, sequences and more. This workshop, part of a series funded in part by Autism Speaks, will lay a foundation for understanding what visual strategies are and how to use them.

Agenda:

These events are made possible by a grant from Autism Speaks. The authors of this publication hereby acknowledge Autism Speaks Family Community Grants as the funding agency for the project leading to this publication. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily express or reflect the views of Autism Speaks or any other funding agency.

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Bridget Ames, PACER Center and Heidi Kraemer, IBM

Running Time: 60 minutes

Description:

Whether you are new to assistive technology (AT) or already have some experience with it, this basic overview will help you learn about tools that can help struggling students reach their full potential. The Webinar includes a special focus on tools for early childhood. Please invite your classroom partners to participate in this informational event!

Agenda:

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Bridget Ames, PACER Center and Heidi Kraemer, IBM

Running Time: 60 minutes

Description:

A large component of the Young Explorer computers is the preloaded Edmark Software. This webinar gave participants an overview of important software features. The agenda included an introduction of the KidDesk and Edmark software programs including Bailey's Book House, Millie's Math House, etc. Presentation consisted of power point, screen shots, and live demonstration. Handouts and support materials will be available.

Agenda:

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.

Presenters:
Dixie Jordan, Lucy Favorite, Hassan Samantar, Bonnie Jean Smith, Jesus Villasenor, Dao Xiong and Judy Swett. Moderator: Barb Ziemke.

Running Time: 2 hours, 22 minutes

Description:

This webinar is designed for early childhood intervention and early childhood special education professionals who want to increase their effectiveness in working with young children with disabilities from diverse cultures. It is for everyone who has ever wondered:

• "How can I avoid offending a parent who is from a culture different from my own?"
• "How can I help families be comfortable in expressing their opinions and proposing solutions?"
• "How can I support their decisions, even when I do not agree?"
• "How can I help the family determine family-directed outcomes based on their concerns, needs, and priorities?"

Agenda:

Part I: "Serving Diverse Families: Strategies for Early Childhood Service Providers."

• Diversity and Communication
• Focus on the Family
• Preparing for the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Meeting
• Strategies for Working with Families
• Checking Your Skills

Keynote presenter Dixie Jordan is a nationally certified cultural competence trainer and a board member of the National Federation of Families. She has conducted more than 600 trainings, presentations, and keynotes nationally on topics such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), diversity, and early childhood.

Part II - "Practical Tips for Successful Interactions." A panel presentation by PACER’s multicultural parent advocates, Lucy Favorite, Hassan Samantar, Bonnie Jean Smith, Jesús Villaseñor, and Dao Xiong.

Part III - "From Family Concerns to Family-directed Outcomes." A case study exercise presented by PACER’s early childhood project coordinator, Judy Swett.

Additional Webinar Q & A's

Please Note: PACER's multicultural advocates responded to participant's questions regarding the May, 2008 webinar presentation content. There was not time to respond to the following related questions during the live webinar. It is important to read these responses in the context of the entire presentation. It is also essential to understand that all families are different, even within a specific culture. Rather than making assumptions at an individual family level, it is always appropriate to ask questions to increase understanding.
See Additional Q & A's

 

These materials were developed in part with funding from a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. The source of the funds is a federal award, State Personnel Development Grant CFDA 84.323A.

For project evaluation purposes, PACER may email webinar viewers a brief follow-up survey in 3 to 6 months.