WATR PLC MEMBERS ATTEND TRAINING IN JUNE

The eight members of the WATR Assistive Technology Professional Learning Community attended a week-long, intensive training at the University of Wyoming.   The sessions focused on in-depth, interactive and hands-on learning and was facilitated by Gayl Bowser, a nationally-known and highly published assistive technology consultant from Oregon. 

Above is Casey Widhalm, AT Coordinator and Case Manager for Elementary Special Education in Fremont County, trying out a device.

WATR faculty presented information and demonstrations of various assistive technology products.  On the left, is Darcy Regan, who is a speech-language pathologist.  She conducts comprehensive Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessments, trainings, presentations, demonstrations, and statewide technology-related assistance.  On the right, is Kathy McWhorter who supervises the WATR and AIM programs at WIND and works with staff to provide accessible instructional materials for Wyoming students.

Gayl Bowser is the PLC Project Consultant, who works as an independent consultant and focuses on the integration of technology into the educational programs of students with disabilities.

 

 

There were many opportunities for the PLC members to get acquainted with devices that might meet the needs of their students.  Here, Alivia Bingham, ESL teacher and AT Coordinator from Teton County, gets some advice from Karen Thayer, Occupational Therapist from Platte County on how to use an application. 

 

 

The PLC group was able to spend time in the WATR lab.  At the the end of the training,  each member developed a Personal Action Plan that they will begin to implement in their own school districts.  Some items include:  creating an Asssitive Technology team and a process for identifying students with AT needs, conducting an in-service about Assistive Technology and its educational value for students, and improving "needs assesments" by using Gayl Bowser's collaborative strategies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WATR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY

The school year has just started and the eight members of the Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources Professional Learning Community will begin to implement the Personal Action Plans that they developed at the week-long training in June and dedicate themselves to improving AT services in the state.  Top Row:  Gayl Bowser (Trainer); Chris Victor, Bighorn; Alivia Bingham, Teton; Casey Widhalm, Fremont; Kathy McWhorter (WATR); Eric Freeman, Natrona; Pat Casey, Albany.  Front Row:  Karen Thayer, Platte; Katie Harmon, Sweetwater; Kristi Hibbert, Sublette; Barb Locke (WATR).



Atomic Learning

As you begin the school year, don't forget about your subscription to Atomic Learning. This is an excellent resource for you as you put your Action Plans to work.  Here's a link to their website where you can also sign up for the eNewsletter.http://www.atomiclearning.com.

Welcome to the WATR Assistive Technology PLC Blog.  We hope that through this medium,  we will be able to work collaborately toward our goal of "increasing the appropriate implementation of assistive technology for students with disabilities in Wyoming."  We are dedicated to creating a blog that is informative, practical and useful for the members of the PLC and AT practitioners in the state.  We hope that for you,  this will be a place to network with each other and share your insights, recommendations and success stories toward  improving AT services.