|
|
||
| More Trainings » | Check Out Conference Listings » | |
|
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
|
 This makes so much sense! It is like opening a door to pull all of the pieces together — it is so simple, yet a comprehensive and consistent approach. T.H.E. P.A.C.T. is very practical and functional.  - Susan Toner Speech-Language Pathologist |
 It is an excellent framework and system for planning instruction using practical ideas.  - Doreen Tilt Special Education Administrator |
|
A great design and interpretation of differentiated instruction for all students. - Teresa Cherry Cruz Director of Speech-Language Services |
What is T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™?
T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™, which is an acronym that stands for Technology Helps Easy & Practical Adapted Curriculum Teaching™, is a step-by-step method of adapting any curriculum content – academic, life skills, or social language – by giving you a system of organization to set up four basic modules for your language-based instruction. The first two modules build comprehension of the content and the other two modules focus on expression of what was learned.
T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™ is a color-coded structured teaching framework that uses consistent teaching activity formats and predictable, simple assistive technology solutions – both low tech and high tech – in "Learn About, Read About, Write About and Talk About ™" modules - based on a "one size does NOT fit all" philosophy.
T.H.E. P.A.C.T. Modules At-A-Glance
 |
Learn about single vocabulary to build word knowledge and comprehension of word meaning |
 |
Read about the vocabulary in sentences & paragraphs to gain more knowledge |
 |
Write about the vocabulary in brainstorming, composing, & editing lessons using in concrete visual form |
 |
Talk about what was learned using the vocabulary to share knowledge & increase participation in the learning community or social interaction |
About the Author
Phyl T. Macomber, Assistive Technology Specialist, is the President of Make A Difference, Inc. and Practical Assistive Technology Solutions. Since completing a fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital's Kennedy-Krieger Institute in 1988, Phyl has become an award-winning national speaker, author, trainer, and curriculum strategist on topics of adapted curriculum and teaching, augmentative communication, collaborative team building, and specialized software. Her adapted curriculum framework called T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™ – Technology Helps Easy & Practical Adapted Curriculum Teaching™ - outlines how to design "Learn About, Read About, Write About, and Talk About™" modules for special needs learners of any age. Phyl is also authoring the PracticalATSolutions.com Book Series, with the initial book in the series titled, The Power of T.H.E. P.A.C.T. – the first of several volumes that will be written about this language-based, systematic approach. She is donating 50% of the profits of the entire book series to fund ovarian cancer research in honor of her mother who passed away of this disease in 2007. In addition, Phyl has developed T.H.E. P.A.C.T. Multimedia System for the framework, with a corresponding organizational workbook software tool called T.H.E. P.A.C.T. Workbook Software Tool, and an expanding low and high technology resource collection. Phyl provides skill-building training & customized consultation – both onsite and through distance learning formats – in New England and on a national basis. Some of Phyl's volunteer work includes having collaborated with the television crew of ABC Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for a special needs learner and family, as well as assisting with the set-up and design of AAC camps using T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™
|
T.H.E. P.A.C.T. helps when integrating students into general education curriculum. As a special educator, I am able to (not only) identify specific educational objectives, but now easily see the progress and delivery by paras on these objectives. T.H.E. P.A.C.T. also helps students navigate through the world of developmental service agencies, employment services, and voc rehab. - Kathy Boudreau
Special Educator |
T.H.E. P.A.C.T. Philosophy
"How should we adapt this
upcoming curriculum unit for
this learner?"
"How should we adapt ANY
curriculum unit for this learner?"
Use T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™
Framework for Any Content
 |
 |
T.H.E. P.A.C.T. Workbook:
Instruction At-A-Glance
T.H.E. P.A.C.T. is an easy framework for adapting any curriculum to any individual using the tools that are already available to you. Learners will have a practical framework to understand new information and communicate their new knowledge. You will have consistent tools to record progress, capitalize on a learner's strengths, and target areas for remediation. - Cara Leckwold,
AAC Specialist & Speech-Language |
Teaching undergraduate and graduate students to implement the principles and underlying theory of T.H.E. P.A.C.T. framework across all speech and language environments ensures that they will never miss an opportunity to provide complete curriculum support – whether in language-based academics, in motor-based speech, or in social and life skills content. - Sandra Stark,
Adjunct Faculty at University of Massachusetts |
By using T.H.E. P.A.C.T., math skills can be improved using consistent learning activities and predictable AT supports for the required methods of drill, practice, and repetition. T.H.E. P.A.C.T. provides a consistent framework for presenting math concepts in a clear, concise format, allowing for varied activities and differentiated learning. Assistive Technology Specialist
The Benefits of Using T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™
T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™ gives you a manageable system for your structured teaching and performance data. The framework offers countless teaching ideas, predictable design formats for AT tools, and a resource library of team examples - including photos of tools and mini lesson plan examples - related to:
Teaching word knowledge and meaning of vocabulary
Providing literacy-based supports to gain more knowledge on the topic
Improving visual mapping, outlining, formulation of thought, and composing skills of struggling writers
Increasing communication and the active participation of learners to express knowledge
You will be able to execute meaningful instruction - in the way learners acquire, comprehend, process, and express language - following an easy-to-implement, visual chart-based format that serves as a companion to your I.E.P. or Adult Service Plan.
|
Click the Play Button to View
an Instructional Assistant's Experience Implementing T.H.E. P.A.C.T. Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Kristen Sennett
Instructional Assistant |
When introduced to T.H.E. P.A.C.T., my first reaction was,'This will work for everyone - students, special educators, paraprofessionals, and parents!' It is truly practical, user-friendly, and focuses on the basic academic and life skills: Learn About, Read About, Write About, and Talk About. T.H.E. P.A.C.T. lays the groundwork and support for Alternative Assessment Portfolios – key once again for students of all ages and grades, special educators, and parents. - Donna C. Jones, Special Education Director |
T.H.E. P.A.C.T. framework does the following:
 |
places less cognitive demand on the learner and sets up predictable learning formats for the individual |
|
sets up consistent assistive technology supports for each step outlined in the learning process so that the learner is able to focus on the new curriculum content - with each changing unit - in a familiar learning format |
|
allows for better time management related to materials development on the part of the team |
All too often, therapists end up providing less integrated, profession-specific interventions and service delivery options that are disjointed from the learners' roles and participation in their natural settings. Using T.H.E. P.A.C.T. will better enable related service providers to gear their direct service, consultation, and program planning toward integrated priorities with ongoing collaboration among team members. Occupational Therapist
The Result
Team members have:
a system of organization
a practical implementation structure when adapting the curriculum
a framework to eliminate starting from scratch when adapting each curriculum unit
a solution of no longer playing "catch up" with the ever-changing curriculum
The result is that the teams know:
what to teach
in what format to teach it, and
what to use to teach it – similar to following a recipe
Who can benefit from using T.H.E. P.A.C.T.?
T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™ can be set up for any person with a disability of any age – mild to significant – ranging from learners with a developmental disability to those with verbal or nonverbal learning disabilities. Examples include - but are not limited to - learners with:
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Central Auditory Processing Disorders
Cerebral Palsy
Down Syndrome
Language-Based Learning Disabilities
Learning Impairments
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
Rett's Syndrome
Social Thinking Disorders
Traumatic Brain Injury
The following team members can benefit from using T.H.E. P.A.C.T. framework:
Special education teachers
AT consultants
Case managers
Employment and vocational rehabilitation staff
Teachers
Instructional assistants and paraprofessionals
Speech-language pathologists and their assistants
Occupational therapists and their assistants
Physical therapists and their assistants
Educational consultants
Behavioral consultants
Developmental service agency staff
Early intervention staff
Program administrators
Parents
This framework is amazing. I cannot wait to implement it in my program. This is such a great tool for educators for students of all learning styles and levels. Instructional Assistant
