Accessible Tier 1 Instruction Using Texthelp Tools in Pennsylvania
Join us for a variety of informative sessions on the complete Texthelp Suite of Learning Tools. We’ll cover how these tools can be used to enhance instruction for all learners by promoting accessibility, equity and inclusive practices.
The sessions are designed to build on each other throughout the day, but also can serve as standalone introductions to the tools and how they can transform your approach to instruction. With something for everyone, we hope to meet you where you are today in your accessibility journey.
There are two sessions.
Watch the Morning Session
In our AM session we will cover the tools of uPAR, Snap&Read, Co:Writer, and Read&Write. Check out the details below for more information on this first group of presentations.
- 9:00 – Where to start? Why Assistive Technology (AT) Matters and using uPar to Identify Students Who Need Support
We'll start the morning by discussing how Assistive Technology tools can make a big picture difference in students' lives. In doing so, we'll spotlight uPar, a simple and efficient AT screening tool. uPar helps identify the students who could use literacy supports like Read&Write or Snap&Read to make an immediate and lasting positive impact on their education and outcomes.
If you know your district (or classroom) needs to do more to support accessibility, but don't know how to get started, this is the session for you! - 10:00 – All Means All - Accessing Grade Level Curriculum with Read&Write
In this session, we'll discuss the primary benefits of providing a UDL (Universal Design for Learning) style reading and writing support solution for your students and how it can transform your approach to Tier 1 instruction and accessibility.
We'll cover all things Read&Write and it will both be a fantastic introduction for anyone new to the tool as well as an exciting look at the latest and greatest new features for the 23-24 school year. - 11:00 – Taking the Next Step with Snap&Read and CoWriter
In this session, we'll highlight our reading and writing solutions for students who need specialized support - Snap&Read and CoWriter. Sister tools, these two pack an impressive one-two punch when it comes to accessibility.
This session will emphasize additional student use cases beyond those covered in the previous Read&Write sessions. If you work with English Language Learners, students with executive functioning challenges, students with attention issues or students with generally more advanced struggles, we encourage you to attend!
Watch the Afternoon Session
In our PM sessions we will be covering the tools OrbitNote and Equatio. See below for more detailed information on these presentations.
- 1:00 – Transform and Create - Make PDFs Accessible with Orbitnote
Orbitnote is the shared PDF reader, editor, and productivity tool available in conjunction with Read&Write, Snap&Read or as by itself. Our newest tool, Orbitnote is a game changer if your students are frequently working in PDFs - whether they have accessibility needs or not!
We'll cover the ins and outs of accessing and editing PDFs as well as the many ways you can integrate Orbitnote with your existing toolkit. For those who stick around to the end, we'll also provide a sneak peek at the upcoming feature releases scheduled for later this year. - 2:00 – Making Math More Meaningful with Equatio
Finally, we'll turn our attention to Equatio - our digital math creator/editor that allows students and teachers alike to make math more meaningful, and accessible, in the digital space. Equatio helps students remove barriers in creating and formulating math assignments, letting them concentrate on the underlying conceptual problem solving, rather than formatting or handwriting.
Whether you love or hate math, this session will make you ask, “Is the best way to do math still with pen and paper?”