Enhancing Learning with Universal Design and Assistive Technology

1. Tools For Education Universal Design for Learning Assistive Technology Linda Santerre, M.S. CCC/SLP Speech/Language Pathologist Reading Specialist santerrl@dy-regional.k12.ma.us September 2010

2. All students must have access to, and make progress, in the general education curriculum. IDEA ‘97 Universal Design • Applied before curriculum development • Focus on expanding opportunities for all learners • Broad strategies and tools available for everyone within the classroom • Ex. picture supports, computer based graphic organizers, virtual manipulatives Assistive Technology • Applied after task and instructional design • For students who require additional equipment or supports to fully access their environment • Unique, customized and dedicated to an individual • Ex. Wheelchairs, communication devices, hearing aides

3. The Case Against Assistive Technology

4. UDL and Brain Research • Recognition Network: The “What” in Education • Strategic Network: The “How” in Education • Affective Network: The “Why” in Education

5. http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines/downloads

6. Multiple Means of Representation • Storyline Online – online resource supported by the Screen Actors Guild http://www.storylineonline.net/ • Text-to-Speech Access – Natural Readerhttp://www.naturalreaders.com/free_version.htm • Online Math Applets - The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is the world’s largest organization dedicated to improving math education in preK‑12 http://illuminations.nctm.org/ • Virtual Field Trips – “Investigating the First Thanksgiving” http://plimoth.org/education/olc/index_js2.html

7. Multiple Means of Action and Expression • Comic Strip Creator - an interactive tool that allows students to compose their own comic strips for a variety of contexts (prewriting, pre- and postreading activities, response to literature http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/comic-creator-30021.html • Semantic Mapping, Sentence Starters, Cross Word Puzzles http://bubbl.us/ • AuthenticActivities – http://senseanddollars.thinkport.org/earning/home.html

8. Multiple Means of Engagement • Poetry: Author’s Voice - We Real Cool http://poets.org/index.php • Project Gutenberg – digital children’s books http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search.html/?default_prefix=bookshelf_id&sort_order=downloads&query=20 • BookBuilder – authoring tool http://bookbuilder.cast.org/ • Interactive Activities – http://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html http://www.wordle.net/ http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2446451/Teaching_philosophy http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2446417/My_Dog_Fudge

9. TECHNOLOGY A Spectrum Disability or Ability

11. Accessibility Options

12. Writing Activity • Adjectives, Adverbs • Transition Words • Sentence Length • Word Choice The boys built a sandcastle. (2.8) The creative boys constructed an elaborate sandcastle. (12.4) The creative boys constructed an elaborate sandcastle while they waited patiently for the tide to turn. (10.5)

13. Additional Tools - FREE • DropBox– easiest way to store, sync, and, share files http://www.dropbox.com/ • OpenOffice– free alternative to Microsoft Office includes word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases http://www.openoffice.org/ • Google Earth – a virtual globe, map and geographic information program; ideas for the classroom http://static.googleusercontent.com/external_content/untrusted_dlcp/www.google.com/en/us/educators/activities/pdfs_GTA/CribSheet.Earth5.pdf • Skype – allows users to make voice calls over the Internet (w/webcam visual contact); ideas for the classroom http://blog.4teachers.org/?p=375 • TeacherTube- sharing instructional teacher videos http://www.teachertube.com/ • Edublogs - blogs in education give students a global perspective http://edublogs.org/

14. JUST DO IT……