Udl at westborough

Kate Ahern, M.S.Ed. Assabet Valley Collaborative WESTBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OCTOBER 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 Expression
Give 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 seq.)
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
Planning
Xmind – mind mapping
Hott Notes – stickies
Sunbird – calendar
Reading
T-bar – screen mask
Rapid Set – change text/background
Vu-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 Tools
Calculators
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/details.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 Job
Bibliography/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

Udl at westborough

by Kate Ahern

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