k-12 Education Archives - Page 9 of 11

Published September 14, 2013

Best Practice — Teacher Makes Stories Come Alive Through Accessible Books and Sensory Learning!

We’re sure you’ll agree that Jennifer Cassese Appleton, a reading specialist at Virginia’s Alternative Paths Training School, has mastered the art of blended learning. She is also the parent of four children, including a son with dyslexia. Jennifer wants all students to have an engaging reading experience, no matter their learning or print disability. How does she engage her students to read with curiosity and anticipation? For many books that her students read, they also do a companion learning project involving art, music, or cooking. “When you pair good literature with a sensory learning experience, you create positive memories in…

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Published September 9, 2013

Empower Students in the Classroom with Reading Tools and Accessible Books!

With the Labor Day holiday behind us, there’s no doubt that you are in the full swing of back-to-school. Last month, we helped you get your Bookshare accounts up-to-date. Did you find the time to complete the easy steps? If not, check out our August Back-to-School post. This month, our aim is to help you prepare students to get the most out of Bookshare for learning in the classroom. Educators always tell us that their students with print disabilities feel a true sense of empowerment when they can read independently and take part in classroom discussions. Jessica Chandler, a teacher…

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Published September 5, 2013

Please Vote for Our SXSWedu 2014 Panel Today!

Benetech’s Global Literacy Program is asking for your support! A message from Betsy Beaumon, our Vice President and General Manager of the Benetech Global Literacy Program. Please help us put accessible materials on the map at the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference. For those of you who may not have heard of it, SXSW is a hugely popular set of music, film, and interactive festivals (and conferences) that take place every spring in Austin, Texas. One of the conferences being held in March 2014, SXSWedu, is focused on innovation in education—a natural fit for the work of the team that…

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Published September 3, 2013

Reading Lists to Get Organized for Back-to-School

In our last blog post, we shared tips to help you find your school books. Today, we want to help you keep those books organized for back-to-school with a great new tool called Reading Lists. What Are Reading Lists? Reading Lists (formerly Bookshelves) are virtual lists that let school sponsors and student members save and organize titles that can be accessed anywhere with Internet. How do Reading Lists help you? Teachers can create a class Reading List, like fifth-grade American Literature, and save titles for the semester. Whenever a student needs a particular book, just go to your Reading List…

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Published August 29, 2013

Back-to-School Books for Schools and Universities

Throughout August, we’re encouraging students to get ready for the new school year. You can start this now and get on the right foot by reading this blog and following the steps below. In our last blog post, you read how to make sure your school or home accounts are up-to-date. Today, let’s make sure you’ve got your books! Get the books you need! Start by getting your required book list from your school or DSS office, then follow these steps to success: Go to www.bookshare.org and log in. Use the search feature located at the top of every page…

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Published August 27, 2013

Parents, Is Your Child Ready for School?

This month we’re encouraging educators and parents to get ready for the new school year. If you missed our first blog, Back-to-School with Bookshare, please take a look now and share it. In this blog, we want to address parents. Starting the school year off right can set the tone for the entire year—especially when it comes to reading for children with print disabilities. Many Bookshare parents, like you, have told us about the challenges of preparing early and getting resources and support that their child needs at the beginning of the school year. Texas parents, Robbi and Andrew Cooper…

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Published August 22, 2013

Educators, Are Your School Accounts Up-to-Date?

In our last blog, we officially launched the Back-to-School season and now want to continue our series with a spotlight on educators. Yes, we all know that once school starts and students enter the classroom, it’s a nonstop race to the holiday break, followed by two sprints to spring and summer. So our time and good intentions can often get the best of us. Lisa Gutheil, a teacher of the visually impaired and early intervention specialist in New York, knows about this situation. That’s why she is already talking with teachers to make sure students who qualify for Bookshare have…

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Published August 14, 2013

Get Ready for Back-to-School with Bookshare!

Back to School is a time for teachers, parents, and students of all ages to brush off the summer dust and get ready for a brand new school year. How can you be sure that you are ready to make this year a success on day one? By making sure you are prepared with the books, tools, and information that you or your students need before class begins. That way, you can spend more time focusing on teaching and learning and less time getting ready. Bookshare can help! Throughout the fall, we’ll provide you with step-by-step information to set up…

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Published July 29, 2013

Photo Journal: U.S. Official Visits Benetech and High School/College Transition Program Using Bookshare

Michael Yudin, the Acting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, visited our Benetech headquarters recently. He was on his way to observe a dual-enrollment transition program at Mission Middle College in Santa Clara. This unique collaboration of Santa Clara Unified School District and Mission Middle College offers new opportunities for high school seniors who were not performing well academically to complete high school graduation courses and accumulate college credits. At the technology demonstration, students, parents, and educators shared experiences with Mr. Yudin and Betsy Beaumon, our General Manager and VP. Bookshare student members demonstrated…

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Published July 17, 2013

Anna Martinez Wins Second Place in Technology Olympics for the Visually Impaired

Brenda Szymkowiak, a Teacher of the Visually Impaired for Plano ISD in Texas, is beaming with pride over the accomplishments of her eighth grade student, Anna Martinez. Anna just won second place in the Digital Media Access event at the 2013 Region 10 Technology Olympics. “Anna is quite the reader and competitor,” said Ms. Szymkowiak. The Region 10 Technology Olympics is an annual event held at the Education Service Center in Richardson, Texas. Students in third through twelfth grades compete and demonstrate their skills and knowledge of the latest technology equipment and educational resources for blind or…

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Category: k-12 Education