universal design for learning: assistive technology

Universal Design for Learning: Assistive Technology and eLearning

Last Week

Universal Design for Learning

From last week’s class we know that different students learn in different ways.

How can we accommodate the many ways that they have of learning ?

Clearly the more diverse our range of instructional methods, the more types of students we will be able to address.

Universal Design for Learning

If we were relying on the print medium alone, this flexibility would be very difficult, but with the additional of new media, it is possible to provide a wider range of flexibility.

Such software already exists but is aimed at assistive technology (AT).

Assistive Technology

For some students AT is a requirement for learning, because they cannot function without it.

But the same AT devices can be used as learning supports for all students in the class.

This realization means that students who have specific learning preferences can be accommodated using these devices.

Assistive Technology in Writing

Writing is a complex task that required the integration of a number of different skills.

The writer must generate ideas, organize these ideas and write sentences and paragraphs

Students may be;– Bad spellers– Illegible handwriting– Difficulties composing sentences


The mechanics of writing includes;– Automatic letter formation– Use of space– Basic spelling– Capitalization– Punctuation– Speed– Clarity of expression– Appropriate grammar


Lo-Tech Aids can include;– Raised lined paper– Pencil grips– Slant boards– Ergonomic pens


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Talking Word Processors– To help students monitor their writing

Intellitalk 2 + 3 Writeout Loud Read and Write Gold


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Word Predication programs – For students with fine motor control issues– And with vocabulary problems

Co:Writer 4000 Gus Communications Telepathic 2000


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Speech Recognition programs – For students with fine motor control issues– And with physical disabilities

Dragon Naturally Speaking iListen Abasoft-Talking

Assistive Technology in Composition of Thoughts

Many writers have difficulty with the pre-writing organization of ideas, how they fit together and how to write them well.


Lo-Tech Aids can include;– Organizing thoughts

Flow-charting Task analysis Webbing Networking ideas Outlining strategies


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Organizing thoughts

Kidspiration Inspiration Draft Builder


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Multimedia Writing programs

Ultimate Writing and Creativity Centre Imagination Express: Destination Series Kid Works Deluxe


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Note Taking programs– Writing disability

AlphaSmart DreamWriter

Assistive Technology in Reading

A good reader must be strong in– Alphabetics

Mastery of the alphabet Understanding the relationships between letters and words Syllables and phonemes Identify letter sounds Sound out words

– Fluency Read connected words rapidly, smoothly and automatically

– A good vocabulary


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Development of Alphabetics– Picture symbols

BoardMaker Simon Sounds It Out Fast ForWork Language Basics Read, Write & Type


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Development of Fluency– Taped Books and Talking Storybooks

Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic Organization Living Books Start-to-Finish Books


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Reading Comprehension

Kurzweil 3000 IntelliTools Reading www.readwritethink.org

Assistive Technology in Maths

Mathematics problems are wide and varied and can include;– Difficulty processing language– Visual spatial confusion– Inability to develop number sense


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Language processing problems– Including terminology confusion– Following verbal explanations– Managing steps of complex calculations

Blocks in Motion IntelliMathics


Lo-Tech Aids can include;– Visual spatial confusion– Inability to symbolically or visually represent or

code numerical information (e.g. confuse 6 and 9) Abacus


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Visual spatial confusion– Inability to symbolically or visually represent or

code numerical information (e.g. confuse 6 and 9) Mathpad Plus Fractions and Decimals


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Development of Number Sense– Understanding what numbers mean

Cruncher 2.0 The Graph Club EdMark Calculator Collection

Assistive Technology in Communications

Communications can be delayed or interrupted by disabilities, including– Language and Speech– Hearing


Lo-Tech Aids can include;– Expressive Language– Greetings, making choices, social interaction

Picture communication boards Choice boards Alphabet boards Eye gaze boards


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Expressive Language– Greetings, making choices, social interaction– Voice Output Devices

Cheap Talk Step-by-Step Communicator The BigMac The Alpha Talker


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Expressive Language– Greetings, making choices, social interaction– Other Communication Devices

Prentorm Vanguard Dynavox Speaking Dynamically Pro EZ Keys


Lo-Tech Aids can include;– Receptive Language– Remembering instructions, problems with rate,

complexity or amount of spoken instruction Real objects Photographs Picture symbols


Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Receptive Language– Remembering instructions, problems with rate,

complexity or amount of spoken instruction Picture It - Slater Software Laureate First Words

Tools we have looked at

Writing– Talking Word Processors– Word Predication programs – Speech Recognition programs

Composition of Thoughts– Organization of Thoughts– Mindmapping Tools– Multimedia Writing programs– Notetaking Programs

Reading– Development of Alphabetics (picture symbols)– Fluency (Audio books)– Reading Comprehension

Maths– Difficulty processing language– Visual spatial confusion– Inability to develop number sense

Communications– Expressive Language– Receptive Language

Instructional Episodes to support learning (Recognition)

We have a vast array of patterns collected in our culture

On topics like Maths, science, geography, geology, etc.

But since all students are not on an equal footing when it comes to recognising such patterns, we need to differentiate.

Instructional Episodes to support learning (Recognition)

We can provide multiple examples– The more examples we give the better a student will

understand things Highlight critical features

– Good teachers explicitly highlight the critical features of a pattern to help students

Provide Multiple Media formats– With varying degree of depth and detail, students will figure

out what works best for them Support Background Knowledge

– Get students to relate new material to things they already know

Instructional Episodes to support learning (Strategic)

Show them bad examples as well as good– So that they can recognise and develop their own patterns

Provide practice with support– If it’s a complex task, let them focus on subtasks and

scaffold around that Provide ongoing feedback

– Let them listen to what they have typed Get student to demonstrate skills

– Pianists perform recitals, students can use tools to create posters, with papers, etc.

Some Terms

Open Source Freeware Shareware Adandonware

universal design for learning: assistive technology

Education

goldassistive technology

sentences assistive

writinghitech aids

writinglotech aids

different students

types of students

composition of thoughtshi

assistive technologyfor