Kate Ahern, M.S.Ed. Assabet Valley Collaborative

WESTBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTOCTOBER 24, 2011

What is Universal Design for Learning? UDL is framework that allows us to meet the

diverse needs of many learners Multiple Means of Representation

Give learners many different ways of learning relevant curriculum

Multiple Means of ExpressionGive learners many different was to show what

they have learned Multiple Means of Engagement

Provide the most appropriate way to challenge each student and meet his or her needs

What isn’t UDL?

UDL is not one piece of software or technology

UDL will not eliminate the need for appropriate assistive technology for some students

UDL is not a cost saving measure

UDL is a way of thinking!

What can UDL do for your district?

Act as a means to meet RtI mandates Act as a means to differentiate instruction Improve performance of learners with various

disabilities Improve performance of learners from diverse

backgrounds, including ELL and LD Decrease negative attention focused on students

who learn differently or have unique needs Decrease number of special education and

assistive technology referrals When strategically implemented can reduce the

need for some costly assistive technology implementation

What UDL can look like?

“There's also that belief that we should be so private as to not speak about the needs of the children. Don't embarrass Johnny by telling him to put on his glasses, hearing aids, etc. Don't make Susie feel bad by handing her a fidget toy to play with so she can pay attention.

In our classroom, fidget toys are in a box for all the children, glasses are mentioned frequently, students are encouraged to move to the front of the room, grab a spell checker, use the computer or alphasmart, pull out the E.Z.C. Readers, etc.

The difference? These tools are demonstrated to and available for everyone. (Well, not glasses or hearing aids but you get the point.) So when a lesson begins, up jumps the classified student along with the gifted student. They both gather tools they need to be successful.”

From Lisa’s Lingo at www.lisaslingo.blogspot.com

UDL School Might…

Have free UDL software on every computer Have dyslexia friendly fonts installed on all

computers as the default Have free UDL websites bookmarked on every

computer Have plenty of low tech UDL items in every

room for any student to access Teach the use of UDL tools in a variety of

settings including academic classrooms, computer class and the library

Have higher tech free UDL tools – such as flash drives with various program installed available for use in multiple settings

Have links to free online UDL tools within the school’s website and intranet

But what if…?

Teachers and others in education tend to be a proactive group of people. They will worry that UDL will hold students back, encourages cheating, makes students who don’t need certain UDL things reliant on those things and that students may use UDL things to misbehave.

However, we need to remember that students will only use tools if that tool works for them, cheating will always be an issue with or without UDL, we all rely on tools that aren’t “necessary” like our Smart Phones and using calculators for math we could do in our head and if students misbehave with a UDL tool you respond the same way you would if he or she misbehaved in any other way.

What is your role?

Make resources available to everyone Keep an open mind Stay up-to-date

And

Know resources

What is Assistive Technology? Assistive technology (AT) can be defined as

any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (29 U.S.C. Sec 2202(2)).

Examples: grab bars in rest rooms, pencil grips, slant boards, hearing aids, text-to-speech software, audiobooks, braille, curb cuts and so much more.

AT Mandates in Schools

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et se

q.) Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-394) Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act IDEA 2004 (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(3)(B)(v)) requires IEP teams to

consider the assistive technology needs of all children with disabilities

use AT "to maximize accessibility for children with disabilities.“

provide AT services (any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device) as well as products

provide assistive technology training for the teachers, child, and family

Consider “Low Tech” as UDL (and AT) Slant boards Pencil grips Fidget toys Seat cushions (i.e. Move n’ Sit) Preferential seating Hearing blockers (ear plugs, sound blocking

headphones) Word banks to support spelling and

vocabulary High lighting tape EZC Readers

UDL and AT to Try

Hear Your Writing

Word Talk is a free add on to Microsoft Word. It reads your writing aloud and highlights in the color of your choice as it does so. (This is installed on WPS computers.)

Power Talk does the same for Power Point Balabolka is a free text-to-speech program that reads text

cut into the program, text can be saved as an audio file Orato is similar but speaks text from the clipboard Natural Soft Reader is also similar to these, reads

highlighted text and saves as MP3 Good for learners with reading, spelling and attention

troubles.

My Study Bar

Writing Lingoes – talking dictionary LetMeType – word

prediction Balabolka – text-to-speech

with save as MP3 and spell check

Vision Virtual Magnifier – on-

screen magnifying glass Sonar Ring – circle your

pointer SSOverlay – screen tint

Voice Access to the Windows

speech-to-text program

A suite of portable UDL/AT apps that can be run from a flashdrive

PlanningXmind – mind mappingHott Notes – stickiesSunbird – calendar

ReadingT-bar – screen maskRapid Set – change

text/backgroundVu-bar – read one line

at a time (EZC reader-esque)

Orato – text-to-speech

Other Accessibility Suites

My VisBar runs from a flashdrive and offer software for low vision

Access Apps is a complete set of accessibility apps for those with more complex needs

Talking Word Processor

EdWord is a free simplfied talking word processor Three levels of

complexity Speaks the names

of icons as you mouse over

Custom word lists Speak letters,

words, sentences and/or paragraphs

Install a Screen Reader A screen reader will read what is on the

computer screen to your students. Ones designed for the blind read EVERYTHING, which may be too much for some.

There are many free text to speech utilities out there.

One is built into Windows, look under accessibility in the control panel.

Others you can download, such as:Thunder Reader

Accessible Instructional Media The Chafee Amendment Bookshare

ePUB, DAISY Learning Ally

ePUB, DAISY Perkins Talking Book Library

Cassettes, MP3, Braille, DAISY Accessible Book Collection

ePub, Clicker 5, Boardmaker Plus, Classroom Suite

Word Prediction

AI Type predicts words and phrases from previously entered text and also offers translation tools

LetMeType is a word prediction program that is customizable

Several On Screen Keyboards have built in word prediction

On Screen Keyboards

These work well on Tablet PC and for students who can use a mouse or mouse emulator but not a keyboard:

These include word prediction: Dynamic Keyboard by CanAssist Click n’ Type Microsoft Windows 7 On Screen Keyboard

These do no include word prediction Microsoft XP and Vista On Screen Keyboard

Use Mind Maps and Graphic Organizers Westborough has Inspiration and Kidspiration Available There are many website that offer free mind mapping

tools students can use at home or on a portable drive here are a few: Bubbl.us Mindomo.com Xmind (portable app)

Other sites offer us various graphic organizers to try here are a few: exploratree.org.uk freeology.com/graphicorgs/ webenglishteacher.com/graphic.html http://myt4l.com/index.php?

v=pl&page_ac=view&type=tools&tool=graphicorganizers Good for learners on the autism spectrum and those

with some kinds of reading disabilities

Micro Blogs

Use micro blogs to post assignments or update your students on the any classroom news

Or if you are a real technophile have your students micro blog to turn in assignments, comment and keep in touch.

A micro blog to consider: Edmodo – Twitter like but for teachers

Alternative Inbox We all know the student who will loss the

work sheet between here and the locker, or will forget to bring it home.

Save a copy of worksheets online so that students only have to worry about the return trip using free online storage programs, this also means that students can do make up work immediately when they are out

Allow students to turn in work via e-mail and other methods as allowed by your servers

Note to self… Encourage your students to figure out what how to

best use technology combined with their learning style to get things done. (Let’s face it after high school very few of us stick with the assignment notebook system.)

At the end of every period insist that all students record the assignment in their assignment notebook but also in some other method which could include: Using a voice recorder or a voice recorder attachment to

an iPod E-mailing/texting yourself Using calendar software on a Palmpilot, Blackberry or

iPhone Using calendar software online, such as Google’s iCal Use free to do list programs

Remember the Milk www.rememberthemilk.com Toodledo www.toodledo.com Ta Da List www.tadalist.com

Computer Based Sticky Notes http://www.hottnotes.com/

Change Your Font

Certain fonts may be more helpful to learners with the visual kind of dyslexia or those learners with low vision. Look for those in b,d,p,q look different. Comic Sans

Here are some links to downloads of fonts: www.fonts.com/AboutFonts/Articles/fyti/

Typography+for+Children.htm www.k-type.com/fontlexia.html

Use Visual Supports Learn about visual supports:

www.usevisualstrategies.com Use them by:

Visual doesn’t have to mean pictures – text is visual too. Using picture or text schedules and lists Making the rules visual Using visual cues for transitions Use First/Then, Now/Later, and To Do Lists Use the international “no” sign (red circle with line through it) when

something is not an option Providing “maps” so students can “find their way around” everything

from inside their desks, to the building to their papers, to bibliographies In the lower grades or with non-readers using photographs and picture

symbols Make step by step photographic or picture based instruction for things

like science labs or art projects Consider making The Visual Dictionary (http://visual.merriam-

webster.com/index.php) your online dictionary This will help all visual learners, all multi-modal learners, those on

the autism spectrum, those with dysphonetic dyslexia, those with non-verbal learning disabilities, those with Fragile X and Down Syndrome.

Visual Schedules

Interactive Time Tables Free download to create

visual schedules for all young children and those with cognitive impairment

Communication4All a visual schedule created

in Power Point Do2Learn

Visual schedules symbols ARASAAC

Full symbol set Online and downloadable

software

Free Photographs and Picture Symbols for Visual Supports Do2Learn - mostly schedule and personal care

related line drawings Sclera - 14,000 pictograms for education,

schedules and communication all are black on white in design

Mulberry Symbols – thousands of symbols for download

ARASAAC – thousands of symbols and photos and online software to create schedules and more

Don’t forget that you can use your digital camera, Google images and website like Flickr as well.

Math ToolsCalculators AlphaWolfram Calr http://instacalc.com/calcr/ Visualize Data Create a Graph

http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/ Other Math Programs Math Trax from NASA

http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/mathtrax/homepage.htm

Microsoft Word Mathematics Add-in http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/detai

ls.aspx?id=17786

Other Curriculum Areas

Science Writer is a free UDL online app from CAST for students to complete science reports with support from note taking to the final draft

Online Timeline programs like Circavie and Dipity

UDL Book Builder from CAST allows teachers to create and share books for their elementary aged students with built in “tutors”

Use MultiMedia

Animoto - video slide shows http://animoto.com/education

Voice Thread – narrated slide shows with ability to add comments throughout www.voicethread.com

GlogsterEdu – multi-media online posters http://edu.glogster.com/

Dipity – multi-media time lines http://www.dipity.com/

ReadWriteThink – offers interactive apps in most curriculum areas

The Right Tool for the JobBibliography/Works Cited Assistance Citation Maker

http://myt4l.com/index.php?v=pl&page_ac=view&type=tools&tool=bibliographymaker

Easy Bib http://www.easybib.com/

What do you do if UDL is necessary but not sufficient? If the student does not have an IEP, refer for Special

Education Evaluation (UDL trials can be used as RtI data) If the student has an IEP convene the TEAM to discuss

options that may include: Trial commercial programs the district already has Download trial versions of commercial programs the

district does not own and introduce to the student Invite a vendor to demo commercial programs on-site Attend an online webinar through a vendor to explore

options Refer for an outside Assistive Technology Evaluation

AT Evaluation

Will likely use the SETT format: Student Enviroment Task Tool

May use a formalized intake tool like the WATI Can be performed by an AT TEAM or by an

individual who specializes in AT for special education and uses input from the student’s TEAM

It will be extrememely helpful for the evaluator to have a history of what UDL and AT have already been tried

Options and Actions

What has your school/district done? What are the next steps?

Install Firefox with accessibility, Word Talk and other free programs

Change default fonts on computers to dyslexia friendly fonts

Create AccessApps or My Study Bar flash drives and have available in all classrooms/libraries

Create a website that has direct access to UDL/AT web based tools

Train teachers and paraprofessionals Empower students to self-select tools that will enhance

learning How can an action plan be created that will

Increase student access to supports Utilize free and low cost options Decrease sped referals Train teachers and paraprofessionals on UDL/AT

Other places to find links to free AT Teaching Every Student Blog

http://teachingeverystudent.blogspot.com/2007/06/free-technology-toolkit-for-udl-in-all.html

UDL Tech Tool Kit http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/ Free Assistive Technology You Already Own

http://speaking.stanford.edu/Back_Issues/SOC68/highlights/Free_Assistive_Technology.html

One Stop for Free A.T. http://www.onlineconferencingsystems.com/at.htm Free Resources From the Net for (Special) Education Blog

http://paulhami.edublogs.org/ OATSoft http://www.oatsoft.org/

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/teechkidz/free-at/

Bundlr http://gobundlr.com/b/free-assistive-technology

Resources

WordTalk www.wordtalk.org.uk PowerTalk www.fullmeasure.co.uk/powertalk Access Apps

http://www.rsc-ne-scotland.ac.uk/accessapps/index.php?ID=NjEw

Can Assist Dynamic Keyboard http://www.supportdisc.co.uk/Visual_timetable.htm

Interactive Time Tables http://www.supportdisc.co.uk/Visual_timetable.htm

Resources

EdWord Talking Word Processor http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Browsers/EdWord.shtml