The document discusses 15 assistive technologies and universal design aids for world language classrooms. It describes tools like WordReference online dictionary which allows students to look up words without struggling with alphabetical order. It also mentions TumbleBooks ebooks which have audio and subtitles to help with vocabulary, grammar and comprehension. Finally, it discusses using tools like recording on iPods and PowerPoint to improve student fluency, as well as using graphic organizers and glitter glue to help students better organize and learn vocabulary in an engaging way.

1. Top 15 Assistive
Technologies &
Universal Design
for Learning aids for
World Language
Classrooms
Joey Deckman
Sam Dill
Stephanie Warren

2. Stephanie
WordReference Online Dictionary
www.wordreference.com

3. Word Reference is an online dictionary, not an
online translator. For students who may have
difficulty with alphabetical order and/or the
order of letters within a word, it is superior to a
paper dictionary because it allows a student to
type in the word and receive the dictionary
entry. It also provides expressions for each
entry that help all students enrich their
vocabulary.
WordReference Online Dictionary

4. Stephanie
TumbleBooks ebooks
www.tumblebooks.com

5. TumbleBooks are online and available in many
different languages; they have an audio track and
are subtitled. The books are helpful for world
language because they highlight the vocabulary
and grammatical structures students learn in their
first four years of a world language. For students
who have a reading disability these books allow
students to improve aural comprehension. This
benefits all students as they develop an ear for
the sounds and nuances of the language.
TumbleBooks ebooks

6. Recording on an iPod:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2396
Stephanie
Recording on PowerPoint: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint-help/record-a-
voice-narration-HP005195027.aspx

7. Teachers can use iPods and/or PowerPoint to
have students record narratives after having
listened to the audio recordings. This allows
students to hear their own recordings and to
improve their fluency and accents. This could
also be used for oral exams so that a teacher
can assess a student’s fluency and oral
comprehension. The ability to redo their
recording helps all students with test anxiety.
Recording on PowerPoint
Recording on an iPod

8. Stephanie
Graphic Organizers
http://www.state.nj.us/education/frameworks/worldlanguages/appende.
pdf

9. Helpful for students who have difficulty
organizing their thoughts and/or writing,
graphic organizers are tools which enhance
logical and sequential thinking skills, help
students focus on cultural connections, help
them plan their thoughts ahead of time, and
allows the instructor to provide an outline for
writing in the target language. This helps all
students organize their thoughts.
Graphic Organizers

10. Dr. Katy Arnett used Glitter
glue to explain French
accents to a visually
impaired student.
Stephanie
Glitter Glue
http://www.brailleink.org/suggestions.php

11. In order to assist students with visual disabilities,
glitter glue can be used to help students learn
vocabulary. Braille does not contain accents
found in French or Spanish, and therefore it is
insufficient for helping students learn specific
vocabulary words. Creating flashcards with target
language vocabulary written in glitter glue also
benefits students without visual disabilities,
allowing for a fun and engaging way to use the
vocabulary.
Glitter Glue