Tools for Engagement
This year our newsletters are focusing on resources and technology tools that increase student engagement by changing how the student feels about learning and about themselves. This is the third edition in the series that focuses on these areas of engagement:

A group of about 20 young adults with diverse appearances.
Academic Engagement -"I Can"
  • Grade Level Standards
  • Productivity
  • Digital Citizenship
Social Engagement -"I Belong"
  • Social Awareness
  • Relationship Skills
Psychological Engagement -"I Want To"
  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Decision Making
In this edition, we will focus on "I Belong" with an emphasis on  communication and collaboration, social awareness, and conflict resolution.  

Other newsletters in this series:
"I Belong" - Communication & Cooperation

5 young students leaning over and discussing the contents of an opened book
Learning environments that utilize flexible groupings can provide increased opportunities for communication and collaboration. 
Flexible groupings also provide opportunities for varying intensities of instruction in small groups or one-to-one support with a peer or teacher.

To promote communication and collaboration for learners:
  • Construct communities of learners with shared interests.
  • Establish clear goals, roles, and responsibilities for learning groups.
  • Provide guidance and support that increase social awareness, relationship skills, and perspective taking.
The design of learning environments has a significant impact on communication, cooperation, and student engagement. 
"I Belong" - Social Awareness

A small group of young learners sharing an ipad
Social awareness includes the ability to recognize and respond to the needs of others in a variety of situations. Learners and educators who are able to appreciate diversity and practice perspective-taking create learning environments where all individuals feel welcome. 
  • Social Awareness Toolkit - Downloadable facilitator guide, PowerPoint, handout, and video for educators to teach social awareness in the classroom.
a screen shot that shows profiles of different students including a picture_ name_ and country
  • ePals - Website that enables students from over 200 countries and territories to learn about each other's cultures through writing, sharing, and working on collaborative projects.
a screen shot that shows profiles of different students including a picture name and country

"I Belong" - Conflict Resolution

two young boys shake hands while other students look on
Students should be provided guidance and supports to help resolve conflicts with other students or managing their own emotional responses to situations. This could include knowing when and how to seek help, supports for frustration management, and strategies for coping with  anxiety-producing situations.

Social stories can be used to describe and demonstrate various situations and provide models for appropriate responses.
  • StoryboardThat - Online storyboard creator with customizable scenes, characters, and callout bubbles. Editable example lessons are also available.
a comic strip with 3 scenes showing two students on a soccer field with callout bubbles
  • Social Narratives - Collection of downloadable PDF, Powerpoint, and Word document social stories sorted by topic and age range.  
a picture of a sad girl and happy teacher. text reads when I get angry I know I should tell my teacher I feel mad
  • Open Symbols - Collection of searchable and editable open-licensed communication symbols useful for creating printable charts or storyboards.
  • Digital Problem Solver (DPS) - Customizable Apple and Android app for selecting coping strategies for various emotions. Includes video modeling of coping skills.
cartoon image that shows callout bubble and caption that says remind myself to keep negative thoughts in my head
Announcements

The Family Cafe - An annual conference in Orlando that brings together individuals with disabilities, parents, and practitioners for 3 days of educational sessions, keynote speakers, and an exhibit hall. This year's conference is June 15-17, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. Registration is free for individuals with disabilities and their families.

To learn more or to register visit https://familycafe.net/.

Additional events and conference information are available on the Technology & Learning Connections  events page. 
This resource was funded through the Bureau of Exceptional Education  and Student Services with IDEA Part B dollars. The information and  resources are provided as a free awareness service to the educational  community and do not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties  involved . Please note that access to some resources may be blocked by individual school districts.