InspirED Virtual Learning Series
As we continue to watch the COVID-19 pandemic evolve across the world, one thing we know for sure – the 2020-2021 school year will look different—for students, families, teachers, and administrators. Depending on the district, some, most, or even all instruction will be delivered online.
Who It's For
As an organization committed to promoting access and inspiring change for people with disabilities, OCALI and the Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children are partnering to support educators, education professionals, families, and others during this pandemic and in a new, remote learning environment with the creation of – InspirED Virtual Learning Series.
Our vision for this virtual learning series is to fill a need and help educators, administrators, and families find the information and resources they need to support learning and successful outcomes for their students or children during a very unique time of learning.
Educators who support students with disabilities in their continued/newer role as remote learning instructors.
Administrators and other school leaders as they guide and support educators.
Families in their new role as at-home instructors.
How it Works
Initially, the learning series will consist of 15 “Zoomcast” sessions or recorded, facilitated conversations that are approximately 30 minutes each. Over time, additional sessions will be added to the library. All content will be focused on increasing successful engagement of diverse learners in a remote/virtual instructional environment, linking the users with appropriate resources and tools.
Learners will have the ability to earn a professional development certificate by completing a survey at the end of each learning session.
Let’s Get Started
The series will kick off with three Zoomcasts hosted jointly by OCALI Center leads and ODE partners.
AEM an All Access Pass to Success: Reset
September 24, 2020 | 4:00pm
This session will focus on improving outcomes in the use and delivery of accessible educational materials (AEM) during remote learning. Participants will view a previously recorded video about AEM that includes interviews with parents, students, educators, state, and national AEM experts. The video will be followed with a panel discussion by some of the previously featured video participants to further share the challenges, benefits, and AEM resources available to support remote learning.
Presented by Jan Rogers, Jen Rahschulte, Rachel Schultz, and Cynthia Curry
Welcome to Homeroom! Tips for Creating A Learning Environment at Home
September 29, 2020 | 4:00pm
With this school year unlike anything we have ever experienced, there is no question that learning will look different. Whether you are entering the 2020-2021 school year in a hybrid model of in-person and remote learning or a completely remote learning model, educators, students, and families will experience many new ways of learning, connecting, and providing support. This session will focus on supporting educators and families with creating a school-like environment and structure to help students connect their typical perception of school and instruction to learning in their home environment. In addition, the session will explore the natural learning opportunities to build skills in the home setting.
Presenters: Jen Bavry and Shawna Benson
Supporting Positive Behaviors at School and at Home: Strategies to Help Reduce Interfering Behaviors, Part 1
October 1, 2020 | 4:00pm
School is looking very different these days. Some children are attending school in person five days a week. Others are participating in a hybrid approach where they attend school a few days a week and then engage in online instruction the remaining days. While still others are at home full time participating in online instruction. No matter which approach, children are experiencing a different kind of schooling. And it is hard on everyone, the students, school staff, and family members.
So what can we do to help children know what to expect in each of these educational situations? And how can we help not only the kiddos but their family members? Simple strategies known as Antecedent based interventions. These strategies are evidence-based interventions that focus on identifying the conditions in the environment that may be contributing to the occurrence of an interfering behavior. Setting up the environment, whether it be at school or at home with specific strategies often provides the necessary support that children need in order to be more successful in engaging in instruction.
Presenters: Amy Bixler Coffin, Wendy Szackacs, Bobby Huffman, Kelli Flannagan
Check back soon for the full series schedule.
Want More?
If you have participated in one of our InspirED Zoomcasts, we know that you are interested in expanding your knowledge and capacity through online learning. So, we want to be sure that you know about OCALICONLINE, the nation’s premier autism and disabilities conference.
While we usually bring thousands of people together in Columbus, Ohio each year, this year, we’re doing it all virtually! Registration is open now! We invite you to join us November 11-13! Head over to www.ocalicon.org to learn more!
Below we've included some resources from the Special Education Leaders Fellowship that address remote learning and are available to help school leaders on the return to school.
- Learning modules on MTSS and making PD engaging at a distance;
- Re-entry toolkits on engaging related service providers, student-centered staffing, IEP progress monitoring, and collaborative planning; and
- Distance learning webinars to help educators use distance learning tools effectively and efficiently.
Made possible through a partnership between the Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children and OCALI
