iPad Apps for the Inclusive Class

With an increasing number of iPads being available to students and schools, it is difficult to assess what apps works best in an inclusive classroom and what do not. That's why we will have guest, Anne Beninghof, join us on the show on Friday, December 13 at 9 AM EST.  

Anne is an internationally recognized consultant and trainer, with more than 30 years of experience in the field of education. Currently, Anne co-teaches part-time to design instruction for heterogeneous classrooms. In both her presenting and writing, Anne focuses on creative, practical solutions for more effectively including students with diverse learning needs in general education classrooms. 

Anne will talk to us about the best iPad apps that teachers and students can use to support learning in an inclusive class. This show will be helpful for schools, students and families. For more information about Anne and her work, you can go to www.ideasforeducators.com!

A Parent's Guide to Student-Directed IEPs

What is a student-directed IEP (Individual Education Plan) and how is it different than the standard IEP? How and when can student-directed IEPs be used in a student's life? Guest, Dr. Colleen Thoma,  Professor and Chair of the Department of Special Education & Disability Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University, will be joining us on The Inclusive Class Podcast to answer these questions.

Dr. Thoma's work focuses broadly on the transition from high school to adult life for students with disabilities, a line of research that began during her doctoral studies at Indiana University where she earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction.  This research began with an initial focus on student self-determination in the process (including the IEP process), and then expanded to teacher preparation issues and specific strategies and approaches that help students take control of the next phase of their lives.  In addition, Dr. Thoma has been developing and validating an instructional framework that applies a Universal Design for Learning approach to transition education, or Universal Design for Transition. Initial research indicates that this approach increases academic and transition goal achievement while enhancing student engagement in learning. Lastly, Ms. Thoma's research expanded to investigate the impact of postsecondary transition programs for students with intellectual disability on their long-range transition goals. This is an exciting development in our field and one where research is still needed to guide policy and practice. 

Ms. Thoma has also co-authored a book titled, Getting the Most out of IEPs, and is a guide to student-directed IEPs.

This episode of The Inclusive Class Podcast will air live on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 9 AM EST

Keep Calm and Include On