[senit] Extra notices and announcements

From Chris Abbott (chris.abbott at kcl.ac.uk );

Hello everyone,

I have a couple of extra items to add to the notices that you received on
Friday. They are from Chris Abbott and Sara Level of ISAAC. 

Many apologies for the double posting - normal service will be resumed asap.

Ann McDevitt, Co-Moderator SENIT

Independent IT and SEN Consultant 

ann at mcdevitt.gotadsl.co.uk

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>From Chris Abbott (chris.abbott at kcl.ac.uk ); 

E-inclusion seminar
Thurs 6th March at 4.30-5.30pm (refreshments from 4pm)
Room B6, Waterloo Bridge Wing, Franklin-Wilkins Building, King's College
London
(please let Chris Abbott know if you plan to attend -
chris.abbott at kcl.ac.uk)

Understanding e-Inclusion in the context of disabled learners in Higher
Education

Dr Jane Seale, University of Southampton

In this seminar, Jane Seale will examine different perceptions of the role
that technologies play in including (or excluding) disabled learners in
higher education and use these to identify and critique common conceptions
of e-inclusion. Using early results from a current research project that she
is involved in, Jane will present case studies of disabled university
students and use these to illustrate and discuss the complex relationship
between disabled learners, technologies and their educational experiences
and the implications this has for developing and strengthening our
theorisation of e-inclusion in higher education contexts. 

Jane Seale is a senior lecturer in the School of Education at the University
of Southampton and co-director of the National Centre for Research Methods.
She designed and co-ordinated the first ever Masters in Assistive Technology
at Kings College, London (2000-2002) and was President of the Association
for Learning Technology (2006-7). Jane has been teaching and researching in
the fields of disability, technology and education for over 20 years. Her
work has focused in particular on the use of the Internet as an identity
management tool by adults with learning disabilities and the accessibility
of e-learning in higher education. In 2006, Jane published "E-Learning and
Disability in Higher Education: Accessibility Research and Practice" which
proposed a contextualised model for the development of accessible
e-learning. Jane is currently involved in a JISC funded project called
LEXDIS which is using participatory methods to explore the e-learning
experiences of disabled students in higher education. For more information
about her work see: http://janekseale.blogspot.com/ 

This seminar is part of the launch programme for the new MA in e-Inclusion
at King's College London.

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>From Sara Lever, ISAAC; 

Emerging technologies survey

Becta is currently exploring how it can better collaborate with key parties
who have an interest in the use of emerging technologies in the educational
sector. We would very much like to get your input into this development
process.

Becta's aim is to establish an online presence which will be used to share
information, research and analysis in this area. It also aims to build a
community of interest to discuss emerging technologies and their use in
education, in order for the education sector to come to shared
understandings.

To assist us with this we would appreciate your time in completing a quick
survey. The survey can be found here: http://www.bang-on.net/survey

'MANY STORIES - ONE VOICE' WRITING CONTEST

Our past, present and future will always be connected by the stories that
are told - whether it was from the town crier, grandmothers passing along
family tales, books, artwork, song, newspapers or now in the age of video
and the internet - stories always have a place in society and impact all who
hear them.  No matter what your age is, what country you are from, what
ethnicity or race you are, where you work or go to school, you have
something to say, a story to tell, and the world is ready to listen! 

On behalf of ISAAC and 2008 International AAC Awareness Month, we invite you
to have your voice heard around the world by entering the 'Many Stories -
One Voice' WRITING CONTEST. 

About the Contest

Each story should be written for young children and must include AAC within
it (such as a character who uses AAC, a character learning about AAC, or AAC
as a theme in the storyline). All Stories will be compiled into an online
publication and available to be read during 2008 International AAC Awareness
Month events. Select stories will be highlighted at ISAAC's 13th Biennual
Conference in Montreal, Canada. 

Stories can be submitted in words, artwork, cartoons, photographs or other
written or visual medium.  All written stories should be limited to 500
words and capable of being read at one sitting. 

About 2008 International AAC Awareness Month

ISAAC is proud to announce the second annual International AAC Awareness
Month in October 2008. In conjunction with ISAAC's 25th anniversary
celebration, the International AAC Awareness Month will have events at local
schools, libraries and other community centers around the world to give
people who use AAC opportunities to increase their voice in their
communities and to raise public awareness on AAC issues. The theme for
2008's International AAC Awareness Month is promoting AAC and literacy. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

* Spread the word! Forward this email to everyone you know involved with
AAC. Download and print out the contest flyer and post it at your local
school,  library, or other public place. Make a public service announcement
at your school, a group meeting or other gathering that  involves people who
use AAC. Pass out the flyer at conferences! 

* Start planning events for International AAC Awareness Month.  Be a leader
in your community by organizing a reading time or other event during October
to raise awareness of AAC! 

* And of course, if you are a person who uses AAC, Submit a Story!

For more information on how to enter the 'Many Stories - One Voice' Writing
Contest or how to bring International AAC Awareness Month to your community
visit www.aacawareness.org or email us at info at aacawareness.org 