• Using Symbols to Address Curriculum and Standards
• The Power of Thematic Instruction
• Making Spectacular Symbol-Based Materials: Interactive Activities and Games

• Using Visual Supports to Increase the Social and Behavioral Success of Students with ASD
• Successful Academic Strategies to Support Students with ASD

• Using Symbols for AAC

• Version 6.0 Comes to Life

This learning module incorporates a broad overview of the Boardmaker Software Family and the latest resources that are available within the World of Boardmaker. Tips, tricks and lesser know features of Boardmaker, Boardmaker Plus, and Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro are presented.

Participants gain a renewed enthusiasm and confidence of the Boardmaker Software Family to maximize their software use and are introduced to the newest resources available to aid instruction and communication to offer rich learning resources.

Participants will:

• Learn how PCS and the Boardmaker Family of Products can be beneficial in a range of environments
• Learn about a variety of resources available to support their use of Boardmaker products.
• Learn Tips and Tricks for using the Boardmaker Family of Products

This learning module explores the use of symbol support and technology to aid professionals in addressing complex standards and curriculum when instructing challenging and diverse populations. Demonstration will include making complex vocabulary and concepts more accessible in the areas of reading, math, science and social studies. Participants will also learn many ways to modify, adapt, and differentiate the curriculum to incorporate diverse learners. Tools explored include Boardmaker and Boardmaker Plus.

Participants will:

This learning module explores the power of thematic instruction and the many benefits it presents to diverse populations. Strategies for maximizing the benefits of thematic instruction will be provided. In addition, sample thematic activities will be shared utilizing the Boardmaker Software Family to demonstrate a multitude of activities across various curricular areas, including related services. Participants will also be given the opportunity to brainstorm a theme with colleagues in an effort to leave the session with a pre-designed activity for the population of their choice.

Participants will:

• Review the benefits of thematic instruction
• Learn about the populations benefiting from thematic instruction (ASD, ECE)
• Learn to integrate thematic instruction across the curriculum
• Enhance thematic instruction through a team approach
• Develop a thematic lesson first hand with colleagues

This learning module is designed to take instruction to a whole new level by making symbol-based materials interactive and fun! Learn strategies to get students more engaged and involved in the activity presented, whether printed or on-screen. Research shows that highly interactive instruction increases the motivation of students as well as helps students retain information. A thorough review of interactive activities will be demonstrated through the use of Boardmaker and Boardmaker Plus, including the programming necessary to create these fun-filled activities.

Participants will:

• Explore a multitude of interactive, on-screen activities utilizing Boardmaker Plus features such as movable buttons, pop-up boards, the Mayer-Johnson Sound Library, and PCS Animations
• Explore innovative printed activities that provide students with interactive experiences

This learning module explores the use of symbols in developing literacy in the early childhood classroom. Areas of literacy development such as pre-reading skills, dictation, inventive spelling, and various other opportunities for language development will be shared. Pre-made and easy to make literacy resources available for the early childhood classroom will also be shared. Participants will leave this session with a multitude of ideas to enhance the literacy development of their young students.

Participants will:

• Learn ways to support early literacy in the early childhood classroom
• Learn ways to adapt books to create rich literacy experiences
• Explore ready made and easy to make early childhood activities

This learning module will explore numerous ways to create a language rich environment using symbol support in the early childhood classroom. Circle time activities, classroom consumables, songs, snack time, fine motor activities, and numerous other early childhood specific activities will be explored. Learn to integrate symbol-support throughout the entire school day from circle time to notes home! Participants will leave this session with a multitude of ideas in utilizing symbol support throughout the classroom to create both printable and onscreen interactive activities.

Participants will:

• Review the use of symbol support in various aspects of the early childhood classroom such as learning centers and during circle time
• Review songs, games and other classroom consumables for ECE

This learning module will explore the use of visual supports to increase the social and behavioral success of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Supports will be shared to create environments that support the receptive and expressive language skills of students with ASD and help these students more successfully navigate and understand the world around them. Strategies in selecting and designing appropriate supports will be shared. Ideas for increasing structure, targeting challenging behaviors and developing social skills will be shared in this module.

Participants will:

• Review strategies in creating a structured, predictable environment
• Review innovative techniques and ideas for creating visual schedules
• Review behavioral strategies used in the field of Autism

This learning module will explore the academic tendencies of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and successful strategies to support instruction and contribute to overall academic success. Learn about visual representation through photographs and symbols and strategies for encouraging student success. Topics explored in this session include strategies to make curriculum meaningful to students, the benefits of thematic instruction specific to this population along with a strong focus on literacy instruction. Participants will leave this session with specific strategies proven in the field of Autism to encourage academic success.

Participants will:

• Explore and identify learning tendencies of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Review strategies and innovative ideas to increase literacy support
• Review Academic Strategies proven to be successful for students with ASD such as exploring special interests and thematic instruction

This learning module will explore the use of symbols for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). A review of symbol sets will be shared to help participants determine the most functional visual representation for communicators. Discussion will include the importance of evaluating a student’s physical and cognitive-linguistic skills before defining a symbol-based AAC system. The Test of Aided Symbol Performance (TASP) will be demonstrated as an easy to use starting point. A range of communication tools including low tech communication and high tech tools will be shared. This session will highlight activities that target language/vocabulary development. Participants will leave this session with a collection of ideas for using symbols for communication in print or interactively.

Participants will:

• Identify strategies for selecting and organizing symbols on an AAC system
• Learn strategies in engineering the environment for communication
• Explore high and low tech communication tools
• Identify strategies for teaching vocabulary represented by symbols.

This learning module is designed to be an in-depth overview of the latest software release of Boardmaker, Boardmaker Plus, and Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro. New features such as Dashed Borders, Freeform Buttons, Movable Buttons, Symbolate, Alignment and Resizing tools, the MJ Sound Library, New Color Tool and many more will be shared with participants. In addition, participants will see innovative activities that were created using many of the new features available in Version 6.0. Participants will also leave with shortcuts, tips and tricks! This session is a great combination of how to use Boardmaker Version 6.0 and what can be created to help benefit students. Participants will leave this session with an understanding of the newest features in Version 6.0 of the Boardmaker Software Family, which is sure to create confidence and maximize use of the program.

Participants will:

• Learn new features to create printable activities
• Learn new features to create on screen activities
• Learn how to integrate these new features into innovative activities