The Iris Center: Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 2)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 2): Evidence-Based Practices
(https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/asd2/)

This Module, second in a two-part series, highlights strategies that have been shown to be effective in teaching appropriate behaviors and skills and decreasing inappropriate behaviors with children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It next explores several strategies that are particularly effective with young children, elementary and middle school students, and high school students (est. completion time: 3 hours).

The Iris Center: Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 1)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 1): An Overview for Educators
(https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/asd1/)

This Module, first in a two-part series, provides information on the early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as an overview of the difference between a medical diagnosis and an educational determination of ASD. Resources include notes on instructional considerations for teachers who have children and students with ASD in their classrooms, as well as things to keep in mind when working with the families of those children and students (est. completion time: 2 hours).

The Iris Center: What Do You See? Perceptions of Disability

What Do You See? Perceptions of Disability
(https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/da/)

This Module encourages students to explore their own attitudes and beliefs about people with disabilities. It highlights the abilities of students with disabilities (est. completion time: 1 hour).

The Iris Center: Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated Instruction: Maximizing the Learning of All Students
(https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/di/)


This Module discusses the importance of differentiating three aspects of instruction: content, process (instructional methods), and product (assessment). It explores the student traits—readiness level, interest, and learning preferences—that influence learning (est. completion time: 3 hours).

The Iris Center: Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning: Creating a Learning Environment that Challenges and Engages All Students 
(https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/udl/)

This Module examines the three principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and discusses how to apply these principles to the four curricular components (i.e., goals, instructional materials, instructional methods, and assessments) (est. completion time: 2.5 hours).

The Iris Center: Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology: An Overview 
(https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/)

This Module offers an overview of assistive technology (AT) and explores ways to expand students' access to it in the classroom (est. completion time: 2 hours).

Summer!!

Summer vacation had finally arrived! YEAH!! Teachers everywhere are prepared to rest and recharge.

All to soon though, we will be back at it, planning, prepping, and preparing for next school year.  

This summer I want to provide you with some learning opportunities that are sure to help you next school year, and beyond.  I have learned about some great modules that will help give you some information on a variety of school and special education based topics including UDL, AT, and even some on RTI.

Each week I will post a new module from The Iris Center at Vanderbilt Peabody College  (https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/).  Each module will contain between 1 and 3 hours worth of readings and video watching and will have great information to help you in your classroom next school year.  

I hope you enjoy them and get as much information out of them as I did.  

I will post the first module link next week.  This week rest, relax, recharge, enjoy your time off!