About+Me

My name is Andra Thorstad and I am currently a Consultant for Exceptional Learning Needs for Saskatoon Public Schools.

I became interested in assisitive technology quite by accident! During my first month as a Special Education Consultant, I was offered the opportunity to attend the Closing the Gap AT conference in Minneapolis. At that point, I barely knew what a switch was! I was an unlikely candidate to become the technology expert in our branch. During the conference I was overwhelmed with the options available in the world of AT - I didn't know what I didn't know! Since that time, what was once just a professional interest, has become more of a passion for me, and I have been constantly striving to learn more. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to return to Closing the Gap three years later with a more focused approach regarding what I wanted to learn! I have spent the last four years expanding my knowledge. I am by no means an expert yet, but I am striving to become one!

This past year I have gained more professional development in this area by targeting specific students in our division and working with their school team to assisit with AT solutions to gain better access to curriculum and work toward meeting curricular outcomes and PPP goals. Sitting on the Technology Operational Committe for SPSD and participating in Collaborative Inquiry Teams with two schools who have targeted technology as one of their learning priorities has also been valuable as I learn from the experience of my peers. I am also in the middle of an on-line course on "Introduction to Assistive Technology" through the SET-BC organization. I plan to finish by the end of June.

Below are some of the events that have helped me along on my journey:


 * Conferences attended**:

Closing the Gap Assitive Technology Conference - Minneapolis, 2011 IT Summit - Saskatoon, 2012 IT Summit - Saskatoon, 2011 CEC Conference - Nashville, 2010 Where It's at - Teams Using Learning Technology - Saskatoon, 2009 Closing the Gap AT Conference - Minneapolois, 2008

For SPSD: various sessions on Word Q/Speak Q and Inspiration software; use of the iPad in Special Education: Web tools for Special Education; Introduction to AT IT Summit - presenter on iPad apps for Special Education TEACHNOLOGY Conference - iPad apps for Special Education STF Summer Short Course - One day workshop on "Introduction to Assistive Technology"
 * Technology presentations I have done****:**