Online help with your communication devices

Have you recently got a communication device issued to the student you work with or your child? TalkLink are running free interactive and practical Zoom sessions focusing on supporting families and school teams who have recently got a communication device and would like some further help and ideas to get the device use up and running?

Join the TalkLink teacher team for a once per term Zoom session aimed at helping make sure you are feeling confident with all aspects of your device and that you have the skills needed to really support your student/child get maximum benefit from their device.

App specific sessions will focus on operational and driving skills. These will be app specific so make sure you sign up for the app you are using. The Ideas for all Apps session will be open to all. This session will focus on how to make the most of your child’s device and how to support their access to the classroom.

NB: If you are a LAMP user there will be a dedicated implementation session specifically for you run by a LAMP trainer as specific principles apply.

When you register via our Humanatix website you will get a confirmation email letting you know you have successfully registered. We now have your email address. We will email you a zoom link to the presentation you wish to attend in the week leading up to the presentation date. As long as you got the email confirmation you don’t need to do anything else. You do not need a ticket or to worry about the bar codes. To make sure we have everyone’s email addresses to send the link to, we will close registrations one week from the presentation date. If you want to join a session after this time, look out for the new sessions the following term and sign up for one of them.

Finding a time that suits everyone to host the presentations – parents, learning assistants and teachers is tricky! As we are running these presentations every term, we will alter the times each term to accommodate people’s different time preferences. If you can’t make a time this term, look at the options next term as it will be different – eg after school v during school time.

App Specific content:

Adding personalized vocabulary and passion words
Editing the pronunciation of any words that get mispronounced
Check any photos you have added are clear and easy to see with not too much background
Using passwords and guided access so all your extra editing is safe, and your student/child can’t delete things or do their own editing! 😊
Adding karakia/prayers and pepeha.
Adding new pages if needed for extra vocabulary e.g. choice boards or sensory self-regulation options etc.
Using visual scenes so your student/child can share their high interest stories or passions
Backing up your app

All APP content:

Modelling – targeted and general
Embedding the device use throughout the day so it gives your student/child a voice all day every day
Language functions
Shared reading
Sharing news and telling stories
Daily writing (early and conventional) activities
A weekly project