Premier is Pleased to Announce the First Annual Future of Learning Conference

April 7, 2010

Fresh IdeasIn their continued quest for education excellence Premier Assistive Canada is pleased to present their first annual learning conference. The Future of Learning has been designed for teachers by teachers. With topics ranging from "Implementing Premier in the Curriculum Using the Smart Board" to "Registering for Electronic Text", the Future of Learning conference is sure to inspire excellence in the easy and seamless integration of technology into the classroom.

A special presentation by Dr. Stephanie Timmer, the creative force behind the technology of Premier learning tools, will detail future directions of Premier learning technology and tools. Keynote speaker, Todd Cunningham, will share his personal struggle with dyslexia and how he used learning technology to overcome it. His engaging presentation will provide a personal perspective on how technology and learning strategies can help students with learning challenges be successful.

Because parents and teachers share an important job, the Future of Learning Conference will include a night dedicated to parents. Together, parents and teachers are responsible for the education of children. They ensure that opportunities exist for learning; they create environments in which learning can occur, and they provide the tools needed for learning. Parents' night, hosted by Dr. Stephanie Timmer, is designed to demonstrate how learning technology works and how it can be used most effectively. New ways of learning and new ways of teaching require a new set of learning tools. Pencils, typewriters and encyclopedias are being replaced by computers, e-books and the Internet. Parents' night will cover such topics as:

• An introduction to the Digital Literacy Age.
• An introduction and demonstration of technology used to access the new digital age.
• The combination of the technology with learning strategies.
• An overview on how students are learning in the age of texting and tweeting.

For more information, click here to visit the Future of Learning website.

Premier Learning Tools in the Real World

LearnPremier learning tools are designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. Premier tools can be easily extended to real-world situations. Mario Adessa, Curriculum and Learning Technology Strategist from the Toronto Catholic District School Board, shared a story on how Premier learning tools can be seamlessly integrated into workplace environments.

"I would like to share something I did with our Co-Op teachers last week. We have Co-Op teachers that work with students that go to school half time and job training the other half. Many of these students have learning difficulties and are asked to use machines and remember large sequences of activities and tasks.

Two such tasks are using a sterilizer in a dental office and using an industrial dishwasher in a hotel. I asked for the model numbers of the two machines and I went to the Internet and downloaded the PDF format of the user manuals for both. I then opened the manuals in the PDF Equalizer and showed them how the students can use the PDF Equalizer to read the manual. I also showed them how to convert the text into a MP3 format so that the students are able to convert the instruction into audio files and use these files to support them at work.

The students were able to create a separate audio file for:

• how to load the sterilizer,
• how to turn it on,
• how to unload it,
• how to clean it.

This will provide them with a quick reference instead of the students having to flip through a manual. We put a lot of emphasis on safety in the workplace because we have had a few young people killed during work placements because of a lack of knowledge on the safe use of certain tools. Having the information they need readily available on their MP3 players may reduce injury and more importantly allow the students to perform their jobs with confidence and dignity."

Mario Adessa
Assistive Technology
Toronto Catholic District School Board

A Word from Premier Students

"It can really help you study for a test, you can listen to it over and over, it's really amazing!"
Grade 11 student Alternative Education
STEP Program - Milton, Ontario

School Kids

"I like it (Premier)! It helps me improve my reading with some words sometimes when I get stuck with words, I can go to the dictionary or just read it!"
Taylor - Grade 5 student Harrison PS
Georgetown, ON

"It was really helpful! You don't get as stressed out when you don't know some words. It's easier if you can't read one of the icons, there are pictures, it's easier to understand the pictures."
Victoria - Grade 5 student Harrison PS
Georgetown, ON

"I love it! It helped me tremendously. It helped with my spelling and reading for sure!"
Krista - Grade 4 student Harrison PS
Georgetown, ON

Teachers and Learning in the 21st Century

Education in the 21st century is fresh and creative and flexible. It can also be challenging. It must meet the needs of a continuously changing world and it must prepare students for work environments that may not yet exist. Dedicated and passionate teachers are working to meet these needs and challenges boldly.

Click here to hear a podcast of two teachers discussing how Premier technology can be used to fan the flames of learning.

Premier Assistive Canada
PO Box 875, STN A
Sydney, NS B1P6J4
Phone: 902-482-4680
Fax: 902-270-5224
Email: info@readingmadeeasy.ca.