Working with the Experts: Strategic and Interactive Writing Instruction (SIWI) 

Please join RMTC-D/HH for an introductory professional development Working with the Experts (WWE): Strategic and Interactive Writing Instruction (SIWI). SIWI is an evidence-based framework for writing instruction specifically designed for students who are deaf/hard of hearing (DHH). SIWI is comprised of three main principles: (1) strategic instruction rooted in cognitive theories of composing, (2) interactive instruction based on sociocultural theories of teaching and learning, and (3) metalinguistic knowledge and linguistic competence drawn from language acquisition theory. 

By the conclusion of the course, participants will have what they need to begin using SIWI in their instructional contexts to meet their students’ individual writing and language needs. The online professional development is approximately 30 hours of asynchronous and synchronous components. Participants will gain access to 10 online modules in a Canvas course that contains all material. Training will include a total of 9 synchronous online sessions conducted by SIWI trainers. Prior to each session, participants will need to complete 2-3 hours of asynchronous work (watching instructional videos and viewing downloadable SIWI materials) to be prepared to participate in the discussion of concepts and guided application. Upon completion of the training, participants will be given access to the password-protected portion of the SIWI website with classroom footage of SIWI principles.

 Audience: Florida teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing (TODHH), speech-language pathologists (SLP), exceptional student education (ESE) teachers, or general education teachers working with students who are deaf/hard of hearing (DHH).

If you are outside the state of Florida, feel free to contact SIWI about training for your state.

Date(s): May 15, 2023, to May 25, 2023 

Time(s): 10 modules that include asynchronous work AND facilitated virtual synchronous sessions (60-90 minutes each)

The total time is approximately 30 hours.

Check dates and times before registration to ensure you can attend the professional learning series to be able to implement the program with fidelity.

Printable Agenda

Participants will have enough information to begin SIWI in their own classrooms. More specifically, they will be able to:

• facilitate guided, interactive writing;
• teach strategies that support the writing process and development of writing skills;
• establish authentic audiences and purposes for writing;
• enact responsive and differentiated language instruction; and
• assess their students’ language and writing skills and set appropriate instructional objectives.

Dr. Jen Kilpatrick is an associate professor at the University of North Florida, where she is a community scholar and curriculum area director for deaf education and exceptional student education. Her research focuses on the language and literacy development of deaf students, deaf education teacher preparation, and the intersection of Universal Design for Learning and accessibility.

Dr. Kimberly Wolbers is a professor and coordinator of the deaf education program at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She conceptualized Strategic and Interactive Writing Instruction (SIWI) as part of her dissertation research in 2006 at Michigan State University. Since that time, her research has focused on (1) further development of SIWI across grade levels and instructional contexts, (2) professional development programming for educators, and (3) assessing the efficacy and impact of SIWI.

Dr. Hannah Dostal is a professor of literacy education at the University of Connecticut in the Neag School of Education. Her research focuses on writing instruction for students who are deaf and hard of hearing and teacher professional development in literacy. Hannah currently (2023) serves as the editor of the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education.

Follow-Up Activity:

The recommended follow-up activity is for participants to submit a baseline writing sample and a post-intervention writing sample after one lesson/unit for at least two students to your supervisor. If you do not have a person in your district that is familiar with interventions for students who are DHH, email your follow-up activity to RMTC/DHH for feedback at info@rmtcdhh.org.

In-service Points: 

If participants wish to earn inservice credits towards the renewal of a Florida Educator’s Certificate, it is recommended that they contact the school district’s professional development office BEFORE beginning a course to verify the requirements that must be fulfilled. RMTC-D/HH will provide a certificate upon course completion and submission of any follow-up activity requirements. The suggested inservice points for this training are up to 30 points based on attendance, completion of class assignments, and follow-up activities.