component of a writing MATerial training (bit.ly/2Mz7fjS). They also have a list of books, organized by grade level, created on the Tar Heel Reader website that could be utilized during a reading MATerial training (bit.ly/2MO4UC7). These are just a few ideas of places you can look to for evidence-based resources that may be a good fit for a make-and-take portion of a MATerial training. When it comes to providing any professional development training, there is the question of cost. Throw in the mix a whole packet of materials and this point becomes even more relevant. In order to pay for the MATerials, we employ a variety of strate- gies. We charge a small fee to help cover the price of materials and the provided continuing professional development units. In order for this amount to offset the cost of the materials, we do a great deal of budget shopping. Dollar stores, stores with teacher discounts, free shipping and sales are our jam! Our goal is to supply as many materials as possible on a tight budget to provide participants the maximum benefit for their time and money. Also, our special education cooperative has a profes- sional development budget which we utilize to help defray costs for our staff members. Overall, our MATerial training series has had good participa- tion, positive feedback, and requests to continue. As one partic- ipant shared, “This was one of the most helpful workshops I have ever attended.”With feedback like that, we are excited to further develop and present our MATerial trainings this school year! We have found that providing the opportunity during a profession- al development training to leave with information, plus a whole set of materials ready to go the next day, prepares participants to put into action the content discussed at the training. We like to end each MATerial training by saying, “It is usually at this point in the day when the presenter will say, what can you do in the next week to implement something from this ses- sion? But, we will not be saying that today! This was a make- and-take, you have the next steps in your hands ready to go first thing tomorrow morning!” Now, not only does this get a laugh, but it drives home the idea that participants leave the MATerial with fewer barriers to overcome due to having materials in their hands ready to go. They can feel prepared and empowered to put into practice the strategies and interventions discussed at the training. Which, of course, is the whole point of professional development! REFERENCES: Carlson McCall, R., Padron, K., & Andrews, C. (2018). EVI- DENCE-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR ADULT LEARN- ERS: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. Codex (2150-086X), 4(4), 29- 47 Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., & Gardner, M. (2017). Effec- tive Teacher Professional Development. Palo Alto, CA: Learning Policy Institute. Dunst, Carl J. (2015). Improving the Design and Implemen- tation of In-Service Professional Development in Early Child-
hood Intervention. Infants & Young Children, 8(3), 210-219. doi: 10.1097/IYC.0000000000000042 Reed, P., Kaplan, M., & Bowser. G. (2009). The Assistive Tech- nology Trainer’s Handbook. Roseburg, OR: National Assistive Technology in Education Network. Retrieved from https://www.natenetwork.org/wp-content/ uploads/at-trainers-handbook.pdf Resources Shared in the Article: Guiding Document for Professional Development and Train- ing in AT. The QIAT Leadership Team (2014), https://qiat.org/ docs/resources/Guiding_Document_Professional_Develop- ment_AT.pdf Assistive Technology Professional Development and Train- ing Planner. The QIAT Leadership Team (2014), https://qiat.org/ docs/resources/PD_planning_Document.pdf Project Core modules: http://www.project-core.com/profes- sional-development-modules/ POWER:AAC modules on PaTTAN: https://www.pattan.net/ assistive-technology/at-for-communication/power-aac/ Literacy for All webinars: http://literacyforallab.ca/videos/ & http://literacyforallab.ca/past-webinars/ Angelman Foundation Communication Training Series webi- nars: https://www.angelman.org/resources-education/commu- nication-training-series/schedule-recordings/ ConnectAbility’s Visual Engine: https://connectability.ca/vi- suals-engine/ Saltillo, manual communication boards: https://saltillo.com/ chatcorner/content/29 AAC Language Lab: https://aaclanguagelab.com/resources?- category=teaching-and-therapy-material Dynamic Learning Maps, alternative pencils: http://www. dlmpd.com/instructional-resources/ Dynamic Learning Maps, list of books: https://www.dlmpd. com/exemplar-text-supports/ Tar Heel Reader: https://tarheelreader.org
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