ConnSENSE 99

ConnSENSE '99

Carol Magliocco
Evaluation Cordinator
Assistive Technology Lab
A. J. Pappanikou Center: A UAP
The University of Connecticut

ConnSENSE 99 saw the annual conference return to the Storrs campus for the first time in several years. The new South Campus conference Center provided the opportunity to have ready access to the "high-tech" classroom of the new South Campus Conference Center and offered the opportunity for hands-on sessions in the School of Education computer labs. The conference saw some old friends return as well as welcomed many new people to their first, of hopefully many, conferences.

Among the featured speakers was Karen Erickson from the University of New Hampshire, presenting on the topic of a Balanced Approach to Literacy. Karen’s session was so popular that enrollment reached its capacity prior to the close of registration. The session included discussion about incorporating what the research tells us into practice to promote success in literacy for all learners and analyzed current approaches and classroom practices. For those of you who did not get to see Karen and those who want more we have high hopes of having Karen return for future presentations.

The hands-on sessions included the always popular Intellitools workshops conducted by Dan Herlihy, a presentation on Speaking Dynamically by Carolann Cormier and Danielle King was so popular that people were willing to bring their own computers if that would help facilitate them accessing the course and much more. Feedback about the crowded conditions of the computer lab has contributed to rethinking whether hands-on activities should be offered as separate workshop opportunities rather than a component of the conference itself.

The conference strand, The ABC’s of ECU was so popular that even those enrollees who were not taking this strand as a credit option have continued with the online dialogues and discussions. The class enjoyed the opportunity to meet with a consumer and her family and extends their thanks to Jessica Dybdahl and her family for their participation in course sessions. The opportunity to meet Jessica and have Steve Tello (picture below) and Jim McCormack mentor the group through the environmental assessment was a valuable component of course activities.

The Assistive Technology Training Center staff has looked very carefully at the review information that participants provided so that we can make the conference better meet your needs as a participant. The responses indicated that the preferred scheduling would be in late June and that the overall length of the conference should be 2-3 days. Accordingly, the conference has been scheduled for June 25-27 at the Mystic Hilton. Plans at this time are to kick off the conference with a reception and keynote dinner on Sunday with course strands on Monday and Tuesday. ConnSENSE 99 participants indicated that they really enjoyed Dave Edyburn’s keynote presentation and wanted to have a keynote included in future conference offerings. They also wanted to keep the opportunity for social activities and the Mystic area offers many fun and relaxing options. You can call 1-800-622-9905 for updated conference information. Hope to see you all there.

Below are two pictures from the vendor exhibits: The Tech Lab table and a general view of the activity in one of the other booths.

Carol Magliocco, 860-486-5076, speadm09@uconnvm.uconn.edu