AFTERNOON WORKSHOP - Increasing learning opportunities for all students: a hands-on iPad workshop for school leaders, including SLTs

ATANZ is excited to host 

AFTERNOON WORKSHOP: 

Increasing learning opportunities for all students:

 a hands-on iPad workshop for school leaders, including SLTs

 27 February 2026

Presented by

Dr. David Niemeijer and 

Shannon Braithwaite, B.Ed., GC Special Education 

Time: 

• 1.30 pm – 5.00 pm 
• with 30 min afternoon tea break. Afternoon tea will be provided  

Venue: 

Jetpark Hotel Auckland Airport, Conference & events centre, 

63 Westney Road, Mangere, Auckland 2022  

About this event:

Even the best teachers struggle to accommodate the learning needs of all students, especially in special and inclusive education settings. Today’s classrooms include students who require extra assistance with a range of developmental, communication or behaviour support needs. However, all students benefit from consistent visuals to help them build and activate knowledge and communicate what they have learned.

In this hands-on workshop, we will explore cutting-edge new tools and strategies to make teaching easier while increasing the learning opportunities for all students, including AAC users. These tools and strategies are designed to help you deliver grade-level lessons while effectively supporting students with higher and complex learning support needs.

First, we will demonstrate the use of brand-new educational apps from AssistiveWare, applied to lessons across a range of subjects, including literacy, maths, social studies and science. You will start from the perspective of the student, exploring how these apps support all students to participate and demonstrate knowledge. Next, you will work in pairs or small groups, from the perspective of the educator, to plan lessons and formative assessment across a range of formats, from teacher-led group instruction to independent student work.

The session will include hands-on work on (provided) iPads using AssistiveWare products. There will be one iPad per two participants.

Full disclosure - this presentation is by two representatives from AssistiveWare, which is the company behind Proloquo, Proloquo2Go, Pictello, and other assistive technology options to support communication. The session will focus on cutting-edge teaching strategies while leveraging unique features of AssistiveWare products to put these strategies into practice. 

About the presenters: 

Shannon Braithwaite is a Special Education Teacher with over 15 years’ experience working with children and young adults with Complex Communication Needs. She has worked as a Literacy Coach and AAC Coach in Australian Special Schools, and is currently working as a Special Education Specialist for AssistiveWare. Shannon is part of an active community committed to driving change for how AAC is seen and used in schools. She has a passion for social communication and literacy and enjoys sharing what she knows at conferences and with other schools

Dr. David Niemeijer is the CEO and founder of AssistiveWare. With over 25 years of experience, David is a pioneer in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology. He has created software for people with physical, vision and communication challenges, including the award-winning Proloquo2Go and Proloquo software. David has presented at international Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication conferences on five continents.

Minimum numbers:

Events require a minimum of participants to proceed. We'll confirm if we can go ahead, at the latest two weeks before the start date of the event. We offer the option to attend at a different location or a full refund in case we need to cancel. Please keep this in mind when booking any travel and accommodations.

Cancellations by participants less than 14 days before the event will not be refunded. Substitution by another person is possible when you notify us by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 3 days before the start of the event. Please check out our full Cancellation & Refunds Policy and additional Certificates of Attendance Terms and Conditions here.

Who can attend?

This workshop is designed for school leaders (e.g., deputy principals, heads of curriculum, heads of instructional technology, heads of assistive technology), including Speech-language therapists, and AAC coaches. We encourage up to 3 people to attend from the same school to support transfer of information into sustainable practice.

Cost: 

• $  90.00 for ATANZ members
• $105.00 for non-members (remember membership is $110)
• $  35.00 for clinical students (SLT/OT/student teachers)

Please check out our Whanau Professional Development and Learning Grant and ATANZ Professional Development Grant

Ensure you log in with your ATANZ membership to access the member discount rate!

Registrations close 20 February 2025 or when sold out – places are limited to 24 people!

Questions:

Please contact us with any questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.