Lesson Objectives

• Introduce the new AAC Icon Studio web app for creating custom AAC icons

• Provide practical LLM prompts for crafting effective communications in various educational contexts

• Help educators improve their communication efficiency with ready-to-use AI tools

Do Now

Before we get started, take a moment to reflect on your biggest communication challenges. Is it crafting the perfect email to a concerned parent? Creating clear instructions for students? Writing concise but informative IEP notes? Today's tools will help address all of these!

What We’re Working with Today

Today we'll explore how technology can break down communication barriers, starting with our newly launched AAC Icon Studio, then moving to powerful AI prompts that will transform your written communications with parents, colleagues, and administrators.

I Do, We Do, You Do

I Do: Here’s What I Created

This week, I'm so excited to announce the launch of AAC Icon Studio, a web application that allows you to generate custom AAC icons tailored to your students' specific needs. I’ve finally done it. I have a fully functioning, value-adding, time-saving web app!

As someone who has worked with students who use AAC devices and currently supervises SLPs, I know how challenging it can be to find the perfect icons that represent concepts clearly for specific students. That's why I built AAC Icon Studio, to put the power of custom icon creation in educators’ hands.

You can watch the promo here:

With AAC Icon Studio, you can:

• Generate custom AAC icons based on simple text descriptions

• Select from five different icon styles

• Download icons ready for use in communication boards

• Make communication boards and visual schedules

• Create icons from uploaded images

• Create culturally responsive and personally relevant icons

Tools I used: Lovable, Gemini Pro 2.5, Github, Grok, ChatGPT 4o Image, Supabase, Stripe

We Do: Let’s Build This Together

Staying on the topic of communication, follow this step-by-step guide to enhance all your educational communications:

1. Parent-Teacher Conference Follow-Up Emails

Too often, these important communications get rushed or delayed. Use this prompt to create perfect follow-ups:

Act as an experienced educator writing a follow-up email after a parent-teacher conference. The student's name is [NAME], and they are [GRADE LEVEL]. The key points discussed were: [LIST 3-4 KEY POINTS]. The agreed-upon action items were: [LIST 1-3 ACTION ITEMS]. The parent seemed [PARENT'S DEMEANOR: concerned/supportive/frustrated/etc].

Create a warm, professional email that:
1. Thanks the parent for their time
2. Summarizes the key discussion points clearly
3. Outlines specific next steps with timeline expectations
4. Offers additional resources if applicable
5. Invites further communication
6. Ends on a positive note about the student

The tone should be [collaborative/reassuring/solution-focused]. Keep the email concise (under 250 words).

2. Differentiated Assignment Instructions

Create instructions that work for all learners with this prompt:

Create differentiated instructions for a [SUBJECT] assignment on [TOPIC] for [GRADE LEVEL] students. The assignment involves [BRIEF DESCRIPTION].

Generate three versions of instructions:
1. For students needing additional support - include visual cues, simplified language, and scaffolded steps
2. For grade-level students - clear, straightforward instructions with examples
3. For advanced students - include extension options and higher-order thinking questions

For each version, include:
- A clear objective statement
- Step-by-step instructions
- Success criteria
- Estimated time required
- Submission guidelines

Format each set of instructions in a visually organized way that would be easy to follow.

3. Concise But Comprehensive IEP Notes

Document student progress effectively with this prompt:

Help me write concise but comprehensive progress notes for a [GRADE] student working on [SPECIFIC GOAL]. Over the [TIMEFRAME], the student has shown [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROGRESS].

Include:
1. Quantitative data: [SPECIFIC MEASUREMENTS, e.g., "completed tasks independently 7/10 times"]
2. Qualitative observations: [BEHAVIORAL NOTES, e.g., "shows increased willingness to attempt tasks before asking for help"]
3. Strategies that have been effective: [LIST 1-3 STRATEGIES]
4. Challenges that remain: [LIST 1-2 CHALLENGES]
5. Next steps recommendation: [1-2 RECOMMENDATIONS]

Write in professional educational language that is objective, specific, and evidence-based. Avoid subjective judgments. Total length should be approximately 150-200 words.

4. Administrator Update/Request Email

Get what you need from administration with this effective prompt:

Draft a professional email to a school administrator [POSITION: Principal/Vice Principal/Department Head] regarding [TOPIC: resource request/policy clarification/support for initiative/etc.].

Context:
- Current situation: [BRIEFLY DESCRIBE]
- Impact on teaching/students: [DESCRIBE IMPACT]
- What is needed: [SPECIFIC REQUEST]
- Relevant background: [ANY IMPORTANT HISTORY]

The email should:
1. Start with a concise purpose statement
2. Provide only the most relevant context
3. Clearly articulate the specific request/question
4. Include data or evidence supporting the request if applicable
5. Suggest a timeline for response/implementation
6. Express appreciation

Tone should be professional, solution-oriented, and respectful of the administrator's time. Keep the email under 300 words.

5. Weekly Class Newsletter for Parents

Stay connected with parents through engaging updates:

Create a [GRADE LEVEL] weekly classroom newsletter for parents. This week, we covered:
- [SUBJECT 1]: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT]
- [SUBJECT 2]: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT]
- [SUBJECT 3]: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT]

Special events included: [LIST ANY SPECIAL ACTIVITIES, FIELD TRIPS, ASSEMBLIES, ETC.]

The newsletter should include:
1. A friendly greeting and brief personal note
2. Academic highlights with 1-2 specific examples of classroom activities
3. Upcoming important dates and events for the next two weeks
4. A "How You Can Support At Home" section with 2-3 specific, easy-to-implement suggestions
5. A spotlight on a classroom achievement or positive moment
6. A closing note with reminder about communication channels

Style should be warm, informative, and celebratory of student learning. Include 3-5 section headings for easy scanning. Total length around 350-400 words.

You Do: Your Mini Task for the Week

Now it's your turn! Choose one communication challenge you face regularly, whether it's crafting feedback for students, writing to parents, or documenting progress. Use one of the prompts above (or modify it to fit your specific needs) and create one communication this week using AI assistance.

Pay attention to:

1. How much time it saves you

2. How the quality compares to your usual communications

3. What adjustments you needed to make to the AI output

Think-Pair-Share

• Think of 3 communication pain points in your educational practice that might benefit from AI assistance

• Pair up with a colleague to share a successful communication prompt you've created

• Share your experiences with our community of educators and connect with other Edumators who are transforming their work with AI and automation.

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