universal design for learning: assistive technology
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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
Assistive Technology in Writing
The mechanics of writing includes;– Automatic letter formation– Use of space– Basic spelling– Capitalization– Punctuation– Speed– Clarity of expression– Appropriate grammar
Assistive Technology in Writing
Lo-Tech Aids can include;– Raised lined paper– Pencil grips– Slant boards– Ergonomic pens
Assistive Technology in Writing
Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Talking Word Processors– To help students monitor their writing
Intellitalk 2 + 3 Writeout Loud Read and Write Gold
Assistive Technology in Writing
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
Assistive Technology in Writing
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.
Assistive Technology in Composition of Thoughts
Lo-Tech Aids can include;– Organizing thoughts
Flow-charting Task analysis Webbing Networking ideas Outlining strategies
Assistive Technology in Composition of Thoughts
Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Organizing thoughts
Kidspiration Inspiration Draft Builder
Assistive Technology in Composition of Thoughts
Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Multimedia Writing programs
Ultimate Writing and Creativity Centre Imagination Express: Destination Series Kid Works Deluxe
Assistive Technology in Composition of Thoughts
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
Assistive Technology in Reading
Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Development of Alphabetics– Picture symbols
BoardMaker Simon Sounds It Out Fast ForWork Language Basics Read, Write & Type
Assistive Technology in Reading
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
Assistive Technology in Reading
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
Assistive Technology in Maths
Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Language processing problems– Including terminology confusion– Following verbal explanations– Managing steps of complex calculations
Blocks in Motion IntelliMathics
Assistive Technology in Maths
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
Assistive Technology in Maths
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
Assistive Technology in Maths
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
Assistive Technology in Communications
Lo-Tech Aids can include;– Expressive Language– Greetings, making choices, social interaction
Picture communication boards Choice boards Alphabet boards Eye gaze boards
Assistive Technology in Communications
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
Assistive Technology in Communications
Hi-Tech Aids can include;– Expressive Language– Greetings, making choices, social interaction– Other Communication Devices
Prentorm Vanguard Dynavox Speaking Dynamically Pro EZ Keys
Assistive Technology in Communications
Lo-Tech Aids can include;– Receptive Language– Remembering instructions, problems with rate,
complexity or amount of spoken instruction Real objects Photographs Picture symbols
Assistive Technology in Communications
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