What is the Future of Resources for Special Education?
What is the future of instructional resources for Special Education? Two people who will have a huge impact on PCI’s contribution to this challenge joined the company in December.
Erin Kinard is our new Vice President of Product Development/Publisher and she
is leading the team that has created best sellers like PCI Reading Program, Environmental Print, and the Non-Readers series.
Tim Holt is the new Content Director for Technology and will be leading our
efforts to use technology in innovative and powerful ways for the special needs populations we serve.
Blended Products – Media and Content
What does this mean for our customers? We are betting that the future of classroom resources for special ed will be built on products that are built on blended media and that blend a variety of content.
On the media side this means products that blend traditional print materials with innovative technologies like virtual worlds, social media, and just-in-time professional development for teachers. Different formats will provide greater access to the content to students who struggle with traditional media. The engagement and motivation of video games can keep students focused in new ways.
On the content side, schools are being asked to teach academics while also preparing students with special needs for transition. With Environmental Print Series, PCI delivered on this promise. Core literacy standards like main character are covered in the context of stories that introduce signage. Moving forward more of our products will build on this combination so that you and your students get a “twofer” of academic skills and life skills.
PCI knows how to craft products that address the learning styles of students with special needs – the research proves that. Erin and Tim add expertise in the other areas. Over the next 2-3 years expect to see a series of products that deliver on the promise of high quality print and innovative technology that work together as a complimentary blended system.
Hi Erin and Tim,
I am president of Wolfpack Multimedia and co-publish special education books with the Attainment Company. You currently list Connections in the Workplace in your catalog http://www.specialedsolutions.com/store/product.php?productid=100&cat=249&page=and web catalog.
The sequel to Connections – Do the Right Thing (Social Competency in the Community) – http://www.specialedsolutions.com/store/product.php?productid=100&cat=249&page=was just recently published. I believe the sequel would be a nice addition to your catalog. Both publications are also available in eReader software for non-readers. Text is highlighted by word, sentence and paragraph and is read by a professional narrator. This software just won the 2009 BESSIE award in June. I spoke to Leslie Boulet over the summer and sent her a preview copy of Do the Right Thing for your consideration. This month we also released Acting Out Workplace Social Skills. http://www.specialedsolutions.com/store/product.php?productid=207&cat=249&page=
I would very much like to talk with you about our other 13 publications as well as the additional 11 we will be producing over the next three years.
I currently teach special education during the day and run Wolfpack in the afternoon and evenings. I may be reached at 516.764.9653 and can be reached in the afternoon or by e-mail.
Wolfpack would very much like provide PCI with quality special education products.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectively,
Rick Wolfsdorf
rwolfsdorf1@aol.com
It’s great that you’re focusing on both traditional and technological learning methods. I recently have started doing research to learn more about using technology to help individuals with ASD. I look forward to learning more about Tim’s effort.