News & Notes

Preservice Teacher Technology Training: Digital Inequality Is the New Digital Divide
The assumption that technology will be effectively brought into the classroom with the arrival of newly minted teachers who have come of age in the digital era may be an erroneous one.  The ability, and preference, to communicate in PDA text-speak is not the same as the ability to identify and use appropriate technology tools in education.  This month we are pleased to bring you the insights of Boise State University professors Barbara Schroeder and Chris Haskell, who are on the front line of this important issue, as they teach “edtech” to a new generation of education students.  http://www.fctd.info/resources/newsletters/index.php. 

Assistive Technology (AT) Resources

Explore our AT Resources database for information on assistive and instructional technology.   This week's featured resource, ReadWriteThink, is designed to offer teachers free classroom resources for grades K-12 and free professional development resources. The ReadWriteThink website includes a professional library, online professional development courses and seminars, lesson plans, classroom activities, online interactive tools for students and after school resources for parents. 

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FCTD Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology & Transition Planning

This 50 page guide is aimed at providing families with the information they need to effectively prepare for and participate in periods of transition in their children’s lives.

Individuals may order one free print copy of the guide. Additional copies are available for $10. A discount is available for bulk orders. To request one or more print copies, please fill out an order form.

The pdf version of the guide is now available for download.  You can also view the guide online in a fully accessible html version.

2009 AT Resources CD-Rom

When you don't have ready access to the Internet, you can still view all of the information available on our website.  The Family Center CD-ROM continues to offer printer-friendly versions of our many resources. Request a copy of our most recent disc.

Assistive Technology Success Stories

We understand the impact technology can have on the life of a student with disabilities.  Read inspiring stories about students who have experienced great success and achievement through their use of assistive and instructional technologies in our AT Success Stories. 

FCTD Online Discussions

In our online discussion archive you'll find information-rich transcripts on such topics as AT funding, AAC and vocabulary building, assistive technology outcomes, universal design,  best practices in the classroom, AT and occupational therapy, emergent literacy, and much more. We've included links to dozens of resources related to each topic.  If you have a suggestion for a future forum topic, please let us know!