TaC Chat Short Videos
The mission of the WIU's Training and Consultation (TaC) Team is to support Pennsylvania's special education regulations and initiatives by partnering with our local education agencies to build their capacity, and provide services/programs that promote student success.
During this unique time of distance/online learning, our consultants would like to extend their expertise providing you with video shorts on a wide range of relevant topics. As we all adapt and continue to grow professionally, it is our hope to help you support students in innovative, and creative ways. Please check back often as more videos will continue to be added to this page.
Boom Cards
Boom Cards are interactive digital task cards that can be used for various types of activities. They are fun and easy to play. Boom Learning is currently offering a free Ultimate membership through June 2020. Users can sign up and search through free and paid versions of cards that are already created. Additionally, Boom Learning offers the ability to create your own cards. Boom cards can be used in conjunction with Google Classroom or a fast pin can be used to link a student directly to the activity.
Google Classroom Tips
Google Meet
Google Meet is a video conferencing program included in the Google Suite applications. The application provides an opportunity to share your screen to provide for guided instruction or simply chat with your students and their families. Schedule Regular ongoing office hours to connect with students.
Goosechase
Goosechase is a custom photo/video scavenger hunt played through an app on a mobile device. Create missions or choose from the mission bank for your students to complete while they are at home.
Kahoot
Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform, used as educational technology. Its learning games, "Kahoots", are multiple-choice quizzes that allow user-generated and can be accessed via a web browser or the Kahoot app. Use Kahoot for engagement or formative assessment.
Microsoft Immersive Reader
Microsoft Immersive Reader is a free, built-in tool to support reading and writing. Have text read aloud while it is highlighted on-screen. Immersive Reader allows you to adjust reading and text preferences to support your students’ needs. Additionally, grammar support and translation features are included. See how Immersive Reader can benefit your students today! Click here to get more information about free Office 365 accounts for teachers and students.
Nearpod
Nearpod is a student engagement platform for K-12 teachers with ready to go interactive lessons or you can create your own. Build your lesson within Nearpod or in Google slides then add fun interactive activities throughout.
Supporting Students with Anxiety at Home
This TaC Chat short is especially geared towards helping parents support anxious children (Pre-K, Elementary Age) while at home during this time away from school. It will give parents tips on how to best help children regulate stress and big feelings while at home. There are several links referred to in the video that are included in this description for parents to access.
Hunter and Eve
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoixkz7HoB-MQqx6wMlSymg/videos
Headspace: Letting go of effort
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyj8l9miy4w
Fablefy: Mindfulness
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGYeWtdm9GXYcdgkLph9Rcw/about
Class Dojo: Growth Mindset
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zrtHt3bBmQ
Sesame Street: Common and Colbie Caillat - "Belly Breathe" with Elmo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mZbzDOpylA
Sesame Street: Zach Braff and Telly are Anxious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDFEW3eAIlg
Be the Pond | Cosmic Kids Zen Den - Mindfulness for kids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=wf5K3pP2IUQ&feature=emb_logo
5 Mindfulness Exercises for Kids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsy2L9VvX90
STEP UP Westmoreland
https://www.stepupwestmoreland.org/blog-1
Supporting Students with Concussions during Online Learning
Tar Heel Reader
Looking to individualize instruction online for learners with complex needs or find a way to create literacy connections to promote social and emotional competency? Check out Tar Heel Reader!
The Center for Literacy and Disability Studies presents a growing library of accessible, beginning level readers for students of all ages. Much thanks to the work of Dr. Gary Bishop in the Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this site offers 1 and 2 switch access to books that are being authored by educators, families, and volunteers from around the world. Customized books for adolescents and adults as well as books for young beginning readers, Tar Heel Reader fills a tremendous need in our efforts to address the literacy learning needs of learners of all ages with and without disabilities.
Click here to visit the Tar Heel Reader website.
Voice Typing in Google Docs