5:30 pm - 6:30 pm CONFERENCE REGISTRATION: ATLANTICA OAK ISLAND RESORT Reception Area outside Bluenose Rooms A & B with Light Refreshments & even lighter entertainment

6:30 pm -7:40pm WELCOME AND KEYNOTE SESSIONS 1

Bluenose Room A Group 1: Welcome Scott Milner, Regional Executive Director, South Shore Regional Centre for Education

Keynote Presentation: Dr. Ruben Puentedura

Bluenose Room B Group 2: Welcome Jeff DeWolfe, Director of Programs and Student Services, South Shore Regional Centre for Education

Keynote Presentation: Dr. Joy Zabala and Kirk Behnke

7:40 pm - 8:00 pm Break and switch rooms

8:00 pm - 9 pm KEYNOTE SESSIONS 2

Bluenose Room A Group 2: Dr. Ruben Puentedura Keynote Presentation

Bluenose Room A Group 1: Dr. Joy Zabala and Kirk Behnke Keynote Presentation

9:00 - 9:45 am Welcome Cathy Montreuil - Deputy Minister, Education and Early Childhood Development Nova Scotia

PVEC Cafeteria: Panel Discussion with Dr. Ruben Puentedura (SAMR), Dr. Joy Zabala (AT), Kirk Behnke (UDL)

9:45 - 10:00 am NUTRITION BREAK

10:05 - 10:45 am Breakout session 1

11:00 - 11:45 am Breakout session 2

11:45 - 1:00 pm Lunch (provided on site)

1:00 - 1:45 pm Breakout session 3

2:00 - 2:45 pm Breakout session 4

2:45 - 3:00 pm NUTRITION BREAK

3:00 - 3:45 pm Breakout session 5

3:45 - 4 pm : Closing Remarks PVEC Cafeteria, Jeff DeWolfe

Vendor Displays are also set up in the 2nd floor Commons area at Park View Education Centre

DETAILED INFORmation:

Friday evening September 28

ATLANTICA OAK ISLAND RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTRE

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm CONFERENCE REGISTRATION: ATLANTICA OAK ISLAND RESORT Reception Area outside Bluenose Rooms A & B with Light Refreshments & even lighter entertainment)

6:30 pm -7:40pm WELCOME AND KEYNOTE SESSIONS 1

Bluenose Room A Group 1: Welcome Scott Milner, Regional Executive Director, South Shore Regional Centre for Education

Keynote Presentation: Dr. Ruben Puentedura

Bluenose Room B Group 2: Welcome Jeff DeWolfe, Director of Programs and Student Services, South Shore Regional Centre for Education

Keynote Presentation: Dr. Joy Zabala and Kirk Behnke

7:40 pm - 8:00 pm Break and switch rooms

8:00 pm - 9 pm KEYNOTE SESSIONS 2

Bluenose Room A Group 2: Dr. Ruben Puentedura Keynote Presentation

Bluenose Room A Group 1: Dr. Joy Zabala and Kirk Behnke Keynote Presentation

Saturday September 29, 2018

Park View Education Centre

9:00 - 9:45am PVEC Cafeteria:

Welcome Cathy Montreuil - Deputy Minister, Education and Early Childhood Development Nova Scotia

Panel Discussion with Dr. Ruben Puentedura (SAMR), Dr. Joy Zabala (AT), Kirk Behnke (UDL)

9:45 - 10am Nutrition Break

10:05 - 10:50am - Breakout Session 1

Redefining a Culture of Creativity and Innovation using 1 to 1 iPad Technology through the Levels of SAMR (2 sessions back to back)

Vince Spila, Principal & Jill Smyl, Vice-Principal École Dr. Brosseau School

Two Apple Teachers from Northern Alberta will present their school's journey of how they have implemented the iPad and Universal Design for Learning opportunity for all their students. Moving through the levels of SAMR has transformed student learning and engagement. In this session you will have a chance to see how the newest technology is being used to enhance innovative teaching and learning that is unlocking student creativity.

Reading and Writing Tools that Support All Students on All Platforms

Susie Blackstien-Adler OT & Educator Bridges Canada

Finding assistive technology tools that level the playing field for all students across platforms is not easy. Join us to learn how Co:Writer and Snap&Read work in concert or separately to support decoding and language challenges in reading as well as self-expression in writing. We’ll demonstrate how Co:Writer supports all writers with flexspell and how the new Co:Writer Neuron™, powered by artificial intelligence, automatically understands a topic area and predicts ahead using appropriate vocabulary from the topic. You’ll see how Snap&Read supports the recursive nature of reading and writing, using outline templates and tools that help students process, organize, and restate information read. We’ll demonstrate the cross-platform nature of the tools and their performance, with or without consistent wifi. Prepare to be amazed!

Rethinking Literacy for All Learners: Reading, Writing and Communication for Today

Jennifer Connelly, Student Support and Inclusion Consultant at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board in Ontario and Apple Distinguished Educator. Jennifer has taught a variety of roles in the last 13 years in the classroom and as a support to classrooms always with the fundamental belief that every child can succeed with opportunities, support and educators that understand the diverse needs of each student. She’s a teacher, a mother and most of all a lifelong leaner.

Explore strategies, projects, and apps that Apple Distinguished Educators use in their own classrooms to develop multiple literacies for reading, writing, and communication. Discover a combination of built-in accessibility tools and Universal Design for Learning best practices to rethink how all students build their literacy skills.

Removing Barriers in the Classroom & Beyond with UDL, GSuite & Chrome

Jovette Francoeur Consultant for Inclusive Education - Lester- B.- Pearson School Board Jovette Francoeur is a lifelong learner with over 20 yrs of experience working with youth & adult learners in Canada and abroad. Her current role is Consultant for Inclusive Education & member of the Tech. Team at the Lester B. Pearson School Board and with the Centre of Excellence for Autism.

Google offers a world of opportunities for education. Together, we will explore how Google Suite tools and resources can help design and deliver engaging lessons and materials accessible to a wide range of learners. Google Drive, Slides, Docs., Forms, and YouTube as well as the Chrome Web Browser , extensions and accessibility features are transforming the way we are learning, teaching, creating and collaborating. We will also discuss what the human, material, financial, technological and educational game changers have been within the Lester B. Pearson School Board over the years to help us receive the C21 Canada’s Shifting Minds Learning and Innovation System Award in 2017 and help us meet the needs of all learners.

Play, Passion and Purpose; Authentic Engagement For Productive Learning

Laura Kennedy & Nick Baskwill; Elementary Educators (Sir Charles Tupper School, HRCE; Kingston Elementary School AVRSB)

How do you start on the deeper learning journey? In this presentation, we will share how we started with the idea of giving to others as the root of our exploration. This model provided an opportunity for all learners to showcase their strengths while at the same time be a part of the larger effort to effect real change in the community. We will share our planning, how the work evolved and how it will inform our next steps in the fall. Bringing the world into the class is the key to laying the foundation for engagement, encouragement and empathy. We are elementary educators with a range of experiences and interests who look for ways to engage all learners to explore, discover and share. One step at a time, we each found our way to inquiry based learning by trying a new strategy, embraced digital technology for productive use and reached out to others to widen our PLN via social media and participating; and now presenting at workshops and conferences. Reaching out to other educators, classes and professionals has opened up the fourth wall of the classroom to allow the world to come to us and help broaden our contributions to the world. Social entrepreneurship, building maker space environments and sharing what we learn with each other has helped us to broaden our understanding and practice of what it means to engage learners, ‘above the line.

Teaching Above the Digital Line: Effective Practices in Online Spaces

Wendy Kraglund-Gauthier PhD. is the Manager of Networks and Ongoing Learning at the Coady International Institute, located at StFX University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She is also an adjunct faculty member with Yorkville University’s graduate degree program in Education, Fredericton, NB campus.

Education and learning in the classrooms of the 21st century is not simply the use of technology but how technology is used to create engaging and accessible spaces for learning. Effective instructional strategies are integral to the successful delivery of online courses; yet, a lack of familiarity with the pedagogical constructs needed to create effective digital learning environments, and sometimes uncertainty in how to implement them, impacts some educators’ praxis. UDL helps educators meet these outcomes by providing a framework for understanding how to create curricula that meets the needs of all learners and requires incorporating differentiated instruction—a focus on a student-based pedagogy that acknowledges each student differs in interests, learning profile, and level of functioning. This conference session will be an interactive discussion on the challenges and opportunities that can emerge when educators are mindful of how SAMR can not only enhance, but also transform student experiences in online spaces. It will include lessons learned through recent research and activities to bring colleagues accustomed to working in face-to-face classrooms into digital learning spaces that maintain alignment with effective learning pedagogy and UDL principles. It will be an opportunity for participants to reflect on and share their own strategies and effective practices in embedding the four core principles of SAMR into online instruction and student learning. Take-aways will include evidence-based strategies and tips for addressing digital curriculum design and changing mindsets to be more equitable and inclusive.

11-11:45am - Breakout Session 2

Redefining a Culture of Creativity and Innovation using 1 to 1 iPad Technology through the Levels of SAMR (PT 2 back to back)

Vince Spila, Principal & Jill Smyl, Vice-Principal École Dr. Brosseau School

Two Apple Teachers from Northern Alberta will present their school's journey of how they have implemented the iPad and Universal Design for Learning opportunity for all their students. Moving through the levels of SAMR has transformed student learning and engagement. In this session you will have a chance to see how the newest technology is being used to enhance innovative teaching and learning that is unlocking student creativity.

Rethinking Numeracy for All Learners: Reading, Writing and Communication for Today

Jennifer Connelly, ADE

Explore strategies, projects, and apps that Apple Distinguished Educators use in their own classrooms to develop multiple literacies for reading, writing, and communication. Discover a combination of built-in accessibility tools and Universal Design for Learning best practices to rethink how all students build their literacy skills.

Hands-on: Building Learning Experiences Using SAMR

Ruben R. Puentedura, Ph.D.

In this workshop we will use the SAMR model to plan and develop the redesign of a unit of instruction. Think about a topic you teach that you would like to transform - it will help you frame the processes that we will cover.

EVERY Day is a High Stakes Day!: Assessment in the 21^st Century

Dr. Joy Zabala

Much attention is focused on accommodations in high-stakes testing. What do they “look like?”, “Who can use what?” “What impact do the accommodations allowed during the five days of large-scale assessment have on opportunities to learn during the other 175 days of the school year? “What is UDL’s place in all this? Join Dr. Joy Zabala for a passionate, thought-provoking look at these important issues and more.

Media Accessibility Workshop

Kirk Behnke

Attend this workshop to gain an overview of accessibility requirements (US) for educational materials and media. We will also explore a deeper dive into how to make materials and media more accessible for those with sensory or learning disabilities. We will address resources for closed captions and audio descriptions. And finally move through hands-on strategies and techniques to produce your own captioned videos. Bring your own laptop and a less than 1 minute video (mp4) to explore how to make captions using YouTube Video Manager.

A Space Designed for Modern Learners

Mario Chiasson, Ph D Candidate

Due to the impact of Information and Communication Technology innovations, industries were forced to adapt and invest in ICT to improve productivity and performances of their organization in order to compete globally. Also, industries have transformed their physical structures and processes nurturing communication and collaboration, which are essential skills for problem solving and take advantage of skills competencies of staff. In the world in which ICT plays an important role in carrying out essential daily life tasks, students need to be innovative, creative, critical thinkers and problem solvers in order to develop the skills competencies that industry requires. They also need to have the ability to work and learn in teams. With that being said, has the classroom (learning spaces) changed since the appearance of ICT? We are at the very beginning of trying to understand the complexity of the relationship between the learning space and the development of skills of student.

11:45am -1pm - LUNCH ON-Site Food Mingle

1-1:45pm - Breakout Session 3

Makerspaces for Education: Making Change with an Entrepreneurial Spirit!

Sarah Ryan, Program Director/Presenter Brilliant Labs

Makerspaces are an exciting and innovative way to encourage creative strategies and develop an entrepreneurial mindset early-on in youth. We will discuss the various ways to get-started-- from first steps, promoting continuous growth, and long-term sustainability—all key components to creating a successful Makerspace. Makerspace and Maker Education concepts involve projects that align with curricula at all grade levels. These educational endeavours incorporate 21st century design-thinking; including rapid-prototyping, coding/robotics, crafting skills, multi-media, and much more! The collaborative learning that ensues encourages "start-up" ingenuity early on in life, resulting in future generations who are not limited in skill or ability and who will have the perseverance required to lead change and empower economic growth! Established in 2014, Brilliant Labs is a not-for-profit organization providing creative opportunities for children and youth to learn coding and develop their digital skills in schools and communities throughout Atlantic Canada. A hands-on, technology- and project-based, experiential learning platform, we combine the best practice in teaching with innovation and technology, with an entrepreneurial spirit within classrooms and educational curricula. www.brilliantlabs.ca.

Sarah Ryan, Program Director/Presenter is an advocate and role model for youth to develop skills via digital literacy, project-based learning, and Maker Education. Sarah has been active in the science and technology education field for over nine years. A graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University, Sarah is the Program Director at Brilliant Labs, a not-for-profit organization established to grow creativity, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit in youth. Sarah has participated in events, panel discussions and has been a guest speaker at conferences and initiatives across the province, discussing gender divide in science and technology, digital literacy, the opportunities of technology and entrepreneurship, and youth tech education.

Readtopia: Comprehensive Reading through Experiential Learning

Claire Zeijdel, General Manager Bridges Canada

Readtopia is an online, comprehensive reading curriculum for middle and high school students who have complex learning needs. The Readtopia team traveled the world to capture stories, sights, and sounds to make learning an experience. Extensive materials including video, graphic novels and informational text, provide teachers with tools to deliver differentiated instruction in ways they haven’t been able to before —in reading, social studies, and science. Come see how students are transported 1,000 feet in a submarine to learn about oceanography or enter a volcano, virtually! We’ll share stories and video of how Readtopia is changing instruction in Canadian classrooms that have embarked on the journey.

Redefining the Boundaries of Education Beyond the Walls of the Classroom through Universal Design for Learning and the Power of Technology

Stella Bowles Student & Youth Environmentalist

Meet a 14-year-old girl who prompted action for the clean up of Nova Scotia’s LaHave River, which contains alarmingly high levels of fecal contamination. Because of Stella’s work, three levels of government have allocated $15.7 million dollars to address the problem of illegal straight pipes that still drain raw sewage from over 600 homes along the LaHave River. Learn how Stella used a wide variety of technology to carry out this important initiative.

SAMR, UDL & AT in the Hands of an Engineering Professor!

Dr. Robert Kingdon, Department of Engineering at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton

Robbie is passionate about effective teaching that reaches as many students as possible, specifically within his field of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering. Dr. Kingdon is a member of the Teaching Innovation Research Cluster within the Department of Engineering at UNB, and is also a member of the International Federation of Surveyors Commission 2 on Geomatics Education. Dr. Kingdon converts the Livescribe Pen, popular as an assistive technology tool, to create materials to support learning in university Engineering courses. He employs the Livescribe Pen to capture video and audio demonstrations of difficult calculations and explanations of key concepts. These are shared via the course's online learning system to provide access by all students. He will discuss this novel application of the Livescribe Pen to address some major teaching challenges in the university environment, review the process he employs, demonstrate the Livescribe Pen, and discuss feedback from students and performance on assessments resulting from this Universal Design strategy.

Improving Recreation Access and Opportunities for Students with a Disability: Adapted Equipment and Strength-based Resources

Andrea Waters, CTRS, IWK Recreation Therapy & Kate Giles, DipTR, IWK Recreation Therapy Associate

Part 1: This session will introduce participants to tools and resources which optimize a child/youth's ability to participate in physical activity, play and recreation. Participants will explore adapted equipment designed for children/youth with diverse physical, cognitive and behavioral support needs which will enable them to meet outcomes in physical education and outdoor education, as well as participate on the playground and in school activities. Other strength-based, person-centred resources will also be introduced as tools for peers and school staff to learn about individual students.

IWK Recreation Therapy has been working collaboratively with the Nova Scotia school system to meet the needs of students with a disability. Andrea Waters has been working as a Recreation Therapist for 23 years and as a Professional Practice Leader at the IWK for 10 years. Andrea initiated the development of the first provincial adapted sport and recreation equipment loan program in 2008. Kate Giles is currently working as a Recreation Therapy Associate at the IWK Health Centre. Both Andrea and Kate work as part of Pediatric Rehabilitation at the IWK. They are dedicated to working collaboratively with other stakeholders in education, health and the community to optimize opportunities and freedom of choice for children/youth with a disability and their families. They are committed to ensuring current and diverse resources within the IWK Adapted Equipment Loan Program.

2-2:45pm - Breakout Session 4

The SETT Framework: More Relevant Today than Ever!

Dr. Joy Zabala

In the technology-rich 21st century, it’s a daunting challenge to consider and make decisions about which of the wonderful tools “out there” could assist a person with disabilities do what he/she needs or wants to do where and when he/she needs or want to do it! Many people have found the SETT Framework helpful when addressing this challenge. However, the Framework is often pigeon-holed in ONE phase of AT service delivery­–typically assessment–rather than being used as a tool in ALL phases and stages of AT service delivery. ­Dr. Joy Zabala, the creator of the SETT Framework, will share insights that broaden understanding of the SETT Framework and extends its use to a focus on AT implementation and even beyond AT.

Assistive Technology Current and Future Trends

Kirk Behnke

Assistive technology is lending a helping hand for people with disabilities on a daily basis. There are so many apps and technologies that support persons with disabilities to become better learners, communicate more efficiently and become more independent. Additionally, technology applications are becoming more ubiquitous and readily available for anyone to purchase, “off-the-shelf.” Come to this session to explore current and future technology application trends that are addressing support for literacy, math, orientation and general independence for persons with disabilities, including wearables, digital assistants (Smart Speakers) and the worlds of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). Bring your own device to capture online resources to support collaboration of facilitators and attendees and to take back these resources and applications of technology for sharing.

Coding to Learn: Making Coding Accessible for Students who have Complex Learning Needs

Susie Blackstien-Adler OT & Educator, Bridges Canada

The introduction of coding in classrooms provides opportunities for learning to code and coding to learn. As such, it is important that coding activities be accessible to ALL students. Making this a reality involves considering content, instructional strategies and technologies. What are the barriers and how can we overcome them? Join the conversation as we discuss the benefits of coding for students who have significant learning challenges, considerations in choosing appropriate coding applications, and adaptations and scaffolding that make existing applications more accessible to ALL students.

Comprehensive Literacy using G Suite

Adam Hinton, Technology Integration Learning Specialist CCRCE, and is a Google Certified Educator with a Masters Degree in Technology Education.

GNSPES offers a variety of tools which educators can use to leverage literacy programming within their classroom. This session will explore functions of the G Suite apps teachers can use to support writing, reading and research. We will look at ways to offer formative, real time assessment, using G Suite for guided reading, developing digital literacy notebooks/writer's notebooks and meaningful peer collaboration.

Using Google Classroom to Support UDL through Project-Based Learning : Vanessa Turner has been teaching for over 15 years in HRCE (formerly known as HRSB). Her experience as a teacher is at the secondary level, specifically in the sciences and including all students.

Project-based learning allows teachers and students to connect classroom learning to events/activities/ information outside the classroom. PBL allows students to take risks and demonstrate their learning in a method of their choice. Google Classroom is a tool which allows teachers and students to organize their work and work in collaboration to further and develop understanding. Teachers are provided an easier mechanism to provide ongoing feedback and to see learning in real time. Students are provided a variety of tools which allows for greater engagement, accessibility, and choice. PBL aligns perfectly with various aspects of Universal Design specifically accessing and demonstrating knowledge.

Improving Recreation Access and Opportunities for Students with a Disability: Adapted Equipment and Strength-based Resources

Andrea Waters, CTRS, IWK Recreation Therapy & Kate Giles, DipTR, IWK Recreation Therapy Associate

Part 2: This session will introduce participants to tools and resources which optimize a child/youth's ability to participate in physical activity, play and recreation. Participants will explore adapted equipment designed for children/youth with diverse physical, cognitive and behavioral support needs which will enable them to meet outcomes in physical education and outdoor education, as well as participate on the playground and in school activities. Other strength-based, person-centred resources will also be introduced as tools for peers and school staff to learn about individual students.

IWK Recreation Therapy has been working collaboratively with the Nova Scotia school system to meet the needs of students with a disability. Andrea Waters has been working as a Recreation Therapist for 23 years and as a Professional Practice Leader at the IWK for 10 years. Andrea initiated the development of the first provincial adapted sport and recreation equipment loan program in 2008. Kate Giles is currently working as a Recreation Therapy Associate at the IWK Health Centre. Both Andrea and Kate work as part of Pediatric Rehabilitation at the IWK. They are dedicated to working collaboratively with other stakeholders in education, health and the community to optimize opportunities and freedom of choice for children/youth with a disability and their families. They are committed to ensuring current and diverse resources within the IWK Adapted Equipment Loan Program.

3-3:45pm - Breakout Session 5

Hands-on: Shared Practices and Learning Design

Ruben R. Puentedura, Ph.D.

This workshop will focus on identifying, implementing, and evolving shared practices required for sustainable transformative technology use. No two schools are the same, so we will look at how institutional differences shape the application of this process.

Applying Principles of Game Design to Teaching

Adam Hinton, Technology Integration Learning Specialist CCRCE, and is a Google Certified Educator with a Masters Degree in Technology Education.

This session will feature a number of engaging, UDL based gaming systems you can add to any lesson. These include mini-competitive challenges, multi-varying point systems, brain-based challenges and more. This will focus primarily on low-tech methodologies for gamifying your classroom but we will also discuss ways to integrate other online and digital scoring systems into your lessons.

Read&Write and Equatio! Access for All

Matt Brown is a Territory Sales Director for Texthelp working out of their US headquarters in Massachusetts. He has been on the Texthelp team for the past four years and spent the past three years consulting with K-12 and HE institutions in the eastern region of Canada to help students meet their educational goals.

Every student has different learning needs and faces challenges in school that can be universal or unique. Whether they have difficulties with reading, writing or math, speak English as a second language, have a disability, or simply struggle with an increased workload upon transitioning to higher education, technology can help. Smart and effective cloud-based technologies can also enable students to create, explore, and engage with schoolwork in whatever way suits them best - whether they prefer to read by listening, learn visually through images, or speak their thoughts to facilitate the writing process. And through collaboration and real-time feedback, students can not only become more independent learners but also work better together. Technology can even help educators bring instructional materials and practices into an increasingly digital, paperless world, while promoting deeper student engagement.

Take Note: Integrating Technology for Effective Note Taking

Charles Levasseur, Atlantic Regional Manager for Assistive Technology and Learning Disability Program and Services for Neil Squire Society. Charles is a Bilingual Certified Assistive Technology Specialist (Assistive Technology Application Certification: California State University, Northridge) with the Applied Learning Disability Specialist certification LSLD/ATLD (LDED) from Cambrian college in Ontario.

Charles will demonstrate techniques for using everyday technologies and software to aid in student success. These techniques will allow educators to incorporate the use of technology for all learners and reach technology’s full potential. The scope of this presentation will focus on note taking methods to fully engage learners, utilizing various skills to increase learning capacity. This presentation will also feature additional software and applications that educators can use to aid in notetaking to explore the fully understand how to best utilize technology. Strength of this presentation is the range of technologies explored, from common applications like Microsoft Word to software built for notetaking like Sonocent. Charles Levasseur is the Atlantic Regional Manager for Assistive Technology and Learning Disability Program and Services for Neil Squire Society.

Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Legislation

Gerry Post, Executive Director I NS Accessibility Directorate

About a year ago Nova Scotia became the third province to proclaim accessibility legislation: The Nova Scotia Accessibility Act. The goal is to have a fully accessible province by 2030. This presentation will provide a review of legislation, highlighting the impacts on the education sector. The presentation will also outline Access by Design 2030, the provincial accessibility implementation strategy and action plan, which will be announced the third week of September 2018.

3:45 - 4 Closing Remarks

5:30 - 6:30 pm - Reception with our conference keynote speakers at the Fireside Lounge, Atlantica Oak Island Conference Centre and Resort

September 30 - 10am OPTIONAL Activity Sunday morning - Oak Island Museum Tour