Smart Ears

For the BASICS workshop, there are no pre-requisites. For all other workshops, registrants are very strongly encouraged to take the BASICS Workshop first -- or, they should possess equivalent knowledge. The latter means that they should have a good grasp of the fundamentals of AV therapy, including, at a minimum, the following:

1. What is Auditory-verbal therapy? Differences between AV and other approaches.
2. Key principles of AV approach.
3. Key components of AV therapy.
4. The auditory skill hierarchy and resulting outcomes in receptive language and expressive skills. How auditory skills develop in children with typical hearing and the timelines for the same.
5. Auditory skill categories of detection/ feedback/ discrimination/ memory/ identification/comprehension for each level of the above hierarchy
6. Informal auditory assessment based on videotaped samples of therapy/parent-child interaction including assessment of current level of the child on the hierarchy, immediate skills that need to be developed, and long range goal development.
7. Listening check and the six-sound test; concept of listening age.
8. Basic AV techniques of acoustic highlighting, modeling and imitating, chunking, auditory-verbal speech babble, and the hand cue.
9. The use of auditory routines for listening activities
10. Parent strategies for active coaching; components of a parent training program.

It will be assumed that the attendees of advanced level workshops are familiar with the above content.

1. You will get an email about a week before the workshop, giving you a link to click. On the appointed day and time, you click the link to enter the online classroom. Sign in with your name and email address. A Java applet will be downloaded and run. You will then enter the online classroom with the password provided.

2. The participants can always see and hear the presenter, but a participant can be heard by everyone only when she has the floor. So, if you have a question and let the presenter know it, she will give you the floor. Most participants prefer instead to use the text chat box (see next item).

3. The way to let the presenter know you have a question is to use the text chat window, which is always open. Type a message such as "Repeat that, please!" or "Can you please go over the technique one more time?" or "I have a question!" Often participants simply type in their questions in the chat window so as not to interrupt the flow of the presentation. The presenter will respond to all the questions appropriately.

4. Unless you have the floor, your mic will be muted; so, you don't have to worry that your cough or conversation will accidentally get broadcast.

5. You will see whatever the presenter presents: slides, videoclips, etc. -- just like a traditional presentation.

As a registrant, you will have an opportunity to experience a "dry run" of the online classroom before the workshop, to ensure you are set up correctly.

1. You need a fast broadband internet connection (DSL, Cable, etc.). A dial-up connection won't do. Sometimes, the total bandwidth of a school system is shared by so many employees using the internet, you may not have adequate bandwidth for live audio/video streaming; consequently, you may experience inconsistent audio quality. If you have the option of attending this workshop from home and you have a good broadband internet connection, we recommend you do that.

2. You need a PC (running Windows XP-SP2, Windows Vista, or Windows 7) or a Mac (running OS 10.5 or above) that can handle the teleconferencing needs of this workshop. Generally, if you have a relatively new computer (2-3 years old), you should be okay. If you are able to watch hi-def videos on the internet (here is a short HD video from Vimeo that you can try), your computer and internet connection probably have what it takes. {If you have a Mac, make sure it is an Intel Mac -- e.g., MacBook, MacBookPro, etc. The very old PowerPC Macs, such as the Powerbook won't do}

You can also click on this link to test your system at our teleconferencing site itself!

3. You need a USB headset plugged into a USB port. Without the headset, the sound will output through your speakers and be fed back into your microphone! (In some cases, you can use open speakers if you turn off your microphone or don't have a microphone attached. Make sure you are in a private, quiet area if you are going to turn up open speakers.)

A couple of weeks before your workshop, we will send you a cheat sheet to help you adjust your systems settings for the microphone, speaker, etc. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have the proper setup from your side.

Don't worry, all registrants will have the opportunity to log into the online classroom for a brief, unassisted "dry run" before the actual workshop to make sure they have the right gear. This will only take a few minutes and can alert you to any problems with your set up ahead of time.

No problem. Simply click the link that you used to get to the online classroom the first time to get back on. The same strategy works if your screen freezes up (which can happen occasionally, if you have a slow connection). Simply exit the classroom, and log back in.

No. Each participant must register and should have her (his) own computer, webcam and headset -- except, in cases, where the school system has set up its teleconferencing facilities for this purpose. All attendees must be individually registered. Please note that the registration fee is per attendee.

All hand-outs will be emailed to you before the workshop. You will need to print and keep them for reference during the workshop.

No.

No. The registration fee is per attendee and must be paid even if you attend as a group. If you have a large group and prefer to register them together, you may collect the registration information for each of them and send it in a single email to workshops{at}smart-ears.com.

Yes. When you return your completed course feedback and evaluation form, we will email you a workshop completion certificate (usually within a week). Each workshop provides a specified number of professional development hours. Since the procedures and requirements vary from field to field (Teachers, SLPs, etc) and from state to state, you will have to contact your state for the specific procedure for your state. You can attach the workshop completion certificate and the workshop agenda for documentation. For ASHA CEUs, see below.

Our workshops offer ASHA CEUs. See the web page for each workshop for the number of CEUs it provides.
1. The CEUs are given for completing the course. Partial credit is not given for partial attendance.
2. In order to receive the ASHA CEUs, participants must complete and return a) the course feedback and evaluation form, and b) the ASHA participant CEU form to reach us within 15 days of the workshop. (The forms, along with instructions, will be emailed to the participants prior to the workshop).
3. Please do not send us the ASHA CE Registry fee. This fee is paid by the participant directly to the ASHA national office.

Our workshops are also approved by the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language and provide CE hours to LSLS certified professionals; LSLS candidates can use the hours towards some of the learning hours. Contact AG Bell Academy for details. After the workshop, the attendees are sent an LSLS form which they should complete and keep (i.e., not return to us), to be used when they need to document the CE/learning hours.

If you cancel more than 7 days prior to the workshop, your registration fee will be refunded or credited toward a future workshop at your option. If you cancel within 7 days of the workshop, your fee will be credited toward a future workshop. No refund or credit will be given to no-shows (those who simply fail to turn up).

In the unlikely event of the workshop being canceled, your fee will be refunded or credited toward a future workshop at your option.

If you have a complaint or grievance about any aspect of your participation in one of our workshops, please send an email to workshops@smart-ears.com detailing your experience and attaching any previous communications you have had in resolving the problem. We will investigate and reach a resolution in consultation with you, and communicate it to you within 30 days of receiving your complaint. Our objective is to serve you by providing value in the form of our workshops and we will try to help any way we can. Some issues, though, are beyond our control (e.g., if the equipment or internet connection at your end is inadequate). Please note that our maximum liability cannot exceed the registration fee that we received from the participant.

A webcam is not necessary. A headset is invaluable because using open mic and speakers could result in audio feedback loop problem which will not only affect you but every participant. In some cases, it is possible to use open speakers (and disable your microphone), especially if you are in a quiet, private room.

This workshop focuses on working with 0-8 age group. Issues relating to older children will not be discussed.

If developing spoken language through audition is a part of your Total Communication program objectives, you will find the techniques taught in this workshop very useful.

Yes. It is strongly recommended that you attend the BASICS Workshop before taking advanced level workshops.

Click on "Click Here to Register" on the workshop web page. Fill out the registration form and click 'Submit'. You will receive a confirmation email within 48 hours, telling you how to pay (or send a purchase order, if your school/employer is paying). Once we receive your payment, your registration will be complete.

Click "Contact Me" at the bottom of this page to send an email. ( Or write to workshops{at}smart-ears.com )