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 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

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.