Spring Term 2023 Online Training
Online Training
Thursday Thirty free online training is running throughout the Spring 2023 term.
Join us at 15.30 to 16.00 (GMT) on Thursday afternoons to find out how a wide range of assistive technologies are used to support learning and communication.
Take a look at the programme below and register to attend the sessions of interest to you.
Upcoming sessions
- 8 Dec 2022 – Introduction to TextAid
- 19 Jan 2023 – Inspiration 10 for Windows
- 26 Jan 2023 – Introduction to ReadingWise
- 2 Feb 2023 – Introduction to BrightSign glove
- 9 Feb 2023 – Introduction to Calibre audiobooks
- 23 Feb 2023 – Introduction to MindExpress and SprintPlus
- 2 Mar 2023 – Introduction to TD Snap
- 9 Mar 2023 – Universal Design for Learning
- 16 Mar 2023 – What is the Reach2Teach Action Inclusion Tool?
- 23 Mar 2023 – Guide Dogs Digital Learning Resources for Everyone
- 20 Apr 2023 – An introduction to using the Clicker Apps
Who should attend? Our training sessions are suitable for teachers, SENCOs, school SEND teams, TAs, Speech and Language Therapists and parents and carers supporting children and young people using assistive technology to access the curriculum and/or to communicate.
We will email you the joining details a couple of days before the training session so keep an eye out in your email inbox. Please check your spam or junk mail folder and contact CENMAC if you do not have the meeting link one day before the event.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – An introduction to Inspiration 10 for Windows
Thu, 19 Jan 2023 15:30 – 16.00 (GMT)
Inspiration 10 for Windows is a visual thinking tool used for creating mind maps, concept maps, graphic organisers, outlines and presentations with ease.
In this online session learn how the visual mapping tool makes it easy to:
- quickly capture ideas and visually organise them
- transfer a visual diagram to a written outline in just one-click
- easily transfer diagrams and outlines to Word, PowerPoint, PDF, HTML or as graphics files or to export to Google Docs, OneNote and other apps.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – An introduction to ReadingWise
Thu, 26 Jan 2023 15:30 – 16.00 (GMT)
ReadingWise is used widely across primary, secondary, special schools and with individuals to support children and young people struggling with their reading.
ReadingWise provides structured online resources for learners from Y1 upwards with age-appropriate programmes covering reading decoding, vocabulary and comprehension.
Join us for this useful 30-minute online session to find out more.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – An introduction to BrightSign
Thu, 2 Feb 2023 15:30 – 16.00 (GMT)
BrightSign is a smart glove that can learn any signs or gestures (whatever the user’s physical abilities) and then translate those into speech – whether it is BSL signs, Makaton, SignAlong or completely individual gestures.
Join us for this useful 30 minute session and we’ll show you what BrightSign glove can do, how easy it is to set up, and how it can help students communicate independently.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – An introduction to Calibre audio books
Thu, 9 Feb 2023 15:30 – 16.00 (GMT)
Calibre Audio provides a free audiobook service for adults and children in the UK who struggle to read print as a result of conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD and other learning difficulties to visual impairment, and other physical and neurological conditions.
Main benefits for users:
Inclusion: giving those who struggle to read print equal access to educational texts and books to read for pleasure
On demand: Books are available to download or stream and through Apps like Libby and Dolphin EasyReader, users can pick up and begin listening where they last finished without the need to scroll through
Accessibility: accessible USB players are simple to use and easily portable allowing audiobooks to be listened to anywhere
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – An introduction to MindExpress and SprintPlus
Thu, 23 Feb 2023 15:30 – 16.00 (GMT)
Join us for this session on communication software MindExpress and Sprintplus software to read out text.
MindExpress helps people with communication disorders learn to communicate independently using symbols and letters or a combination of both.
MindExpress can be used for emails, texting, calling and social media and environmental control (eg switching on lights) and is accessed with a touch screen, a mouse or trackball, a joystick, or switches, head tracking and eye gaze.
SprintPlus is a software package for people who have difficulty reading and writing. It can read out text and can help understand text.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – An introduction to TD Snap
Thu, 2 Mar 2023 15:30 – 16.00 (GMT)
In this 30 minute session, John Liddle from Tobii Dynavox will give us an introduction to TD Snap – the symbol based communication software for non-verbal learners.
The session will show how the TD Snap app for iPad or Windows can help to unlock the potential of many youngsters who are struggling to communicate.
John will give an overview of the vocabulary options for learners, demonstrate the incredibly easy editing/personalisation and also introduce some of the other powerful tools in TD Snap to really engage learners.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – Universal Design for Learning: Improving and optimising teaching and learning for all
Thu, 9 Mar 2023 15:30 – 16.00 (GMT)
In this session Bob Usher, Content Manager at LGfL will:
Explain what Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is and why it matters for all teachers and learners.
Provide examples of UDL in everyday T&L featuring examples of learning resources and good practice from across the LGfL community of schools sharing how they apply UDL principles.
Who should attend? Teachers (Primary/Secondary/SEND), Curriculum leaders, and Senior Leaders with responsibility for curriculum development and planning.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – What is the Reach2Teach Action Inclusion Tool?
Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:30 – 16.00 (GMT)
The Reach2Teach Action for Inclusion Tool supports teachers and their professional allies.
It facilitates staff growing their reflective capacity.
It enables staff to support a child or young person’s learning and development in empathic, attuned, attachment aware, trauma informed ways.
It enables staff to track changes, and collate evidence of the impact of their hard work supporting the child or young person to settle to learn and make progress.
Why should teachers use this online tool?
AFIT also gives access to a wealth of information and ideas which will help staff to develop their practice and sense of efficacy, reduce behavioural challenges and increase the likelihood of peaceful learning for all.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – Digital Learning Resources for Everyone
Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:30 – 16.00 (GMT)
Join Sarah Brandwood and Kerry Kernan from Guide Dogs to find out more about their ‘Tech for All programme’ and the wide range of services they provide for children and young people with a vision impairment.
They will talk about their commitment to support the accessibility of technology to children and young people with sight loss, including their digital learning programme and plans to build more content over time.
These fantastic resources are available on the Guide Dogs website, and free to access for all – children, parents, teachers – in fact, anyone with an interest in how to get the most from their devices.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – An introduction to using the Clicker Apps with SEN students
Thu, 20 Apr 2023 15:30
During the session, Katie Fitch from CrickSoftware will be demonstrating the Clicker Apps for iPad and Chromebook and how they benefit the learning of SEN students.
She will explore core features of Clicker Writer, Clicker Books and Clicker Talk and explain how they support and enhance the learning process for SEN students.
If you have any changes in school and need training to implement the students’ assistive technology please do get in contact with your advisory teacher or mail@cenmac.com.
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