UDL is for everyone!

This week I have been investigating Universal Design for Learning (UDL).  I believe that is really for everyone.  Many of the changes for those labeled "disabled" make life easier for all of us.  Today's post investigates some of the iPad apps designed to aid us.

There are Apps for communicating, schedule making, tracking data, and education.  Most of the apps are low cost, and some of them are free - making them useful for schools with limited budgets.  Engaging students can require lots of patience, and special needs children require special skills - but having some cool tools may help! 

One app for iPads is called Special Words. It's an interactive game to help children learn to read.  I imagine its being brought into elementary schools and used with literacy programs.  Words can be added to suit a particular unit.   I also think younger students learning foreign languages or those learning English would find this useful.  It comes with 96 words (spoken and written), matching pictures, and eight languages.  Teachers and parents can easily add more words and sounds. There are 3 levels of difficulty, and it was designed with cooperation by teachers and special needs professionals. There are Zombies and cool music, too. Even non-challenged children will enjoy this!

Factor POP is a video game and more!  It is designed to help students master multiplication and division concepts like factors and multiples.  Harder levels can be unlocked by showing mastery of easier ones.  This program reaches those struggling with traditional methods by using kinesthetic responses.  As I visit schools, I am continually surprised by how many kids cannot figure out what goes into any particular number.  I've learned that children with non-verbal learning disorders struggle with these sorts of concepts. Often their condition is not diagnosed.  This game is fun enough and uses repetition enough to help those who struggle and even those with no problems! I think this would be useful in a classroom preparing for learning algebraic concepts - gotta know how to factor!

Another fun way to learn math is through Math Snacks.  I sat in my car in the cold rain playing this for quite awhile.  This site has short games and  animations that present math differently than most programs (how about 14/6ths!).  These are great for classes up through middle school, or even classes for struggling learners.  Those who say they don't like math will get caught up in the Pearl Diving game or empathize with the girl on the Bad Date. This can be used on a variety of platforms. 

An important concept of UDL is presenting information in multiple ways. As a student, I struggled to memorize the Periodic Table; kids with learning disabilities may not be able to do this at all.  An app for the iPad allows learners to see each element in stunning 3D.  This adds some concreteness to an abstract concept.  Many students with LDs are removed out of science and history classes so they miss vital background knowledge in these areas.  Incorporating technology like this can help bridge the gap.  However, this app has considerable overlap between being assistive and instructional.  It provides benefits to both groups, which helps to mainstream LD students.

Visual Dictionary Online helps students who are struggling to grasp a concept (i.e. how a gear works) can go to this site (or use the iPhone app) and type in the term to see it. When you know what something looks like, but not what it's called (or vice versa), you can quickly match the word to the image.  This would be great for any type of class from English to Science.  It's possible to browse the categories as well. 


Also helpful are graphic organizers.  There are several for the iPad: Popplet, IdeaSketch, MindNode, and iThought, to name a few.  Some are free and others cost a few dollars. They are easy to use and many allow users to import and export to a variety of programs - even a desktop word processor.  Below is a preview of iThoughts ($7.99).

Amping it Up!

Greetings,
        I am attending the ITEC (Iowa Technology Education Connection) conference in Des Moines this week. Click here to learn more about ITEC.  Lots of great information available regarding instructional technology. 
        Speaking about technology in Iowa, I present five experiences that I encountered during the last twelve months of substitute teaching.  These experiences occurred in more than one school district, and, although they likely accomplished the desired outcomes, after describing the experiences I will show where the classes rank on the Technology Integration Matrix. 
         Next, three of the lucky experiences will be chosen for the Ultimate Makeover.  This means these class will be taken to the next level, and that experience described here.  Are You Ready?


Experience 1
The class in ninth grade English did a critical reading of The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs. Students read and discussed the story; they examined foreshadowing, predicted, and talked about themes, author intent, etc.  The objective of this activity is to introduce the structure, and model the creation, of the “5-paragraph essay.”    This fits into the Active-Entry cell. The teacher uses technology to present her lecture, but does not incorporate technology into what the students are doing. This fits into my future classroom because Critical Reading skills are important in every endeavor; workers often read the same material and informally share their opinions.  Also, all educated people need to be able to write well.

Experience 2
A class of special needs students in a Social Studies class is creating an invention timeline using cut-outs from assorted magazines. They glue the inventions to poster board; they are also required to draw and color little hand-drawn images of the inventions.  The objective of this activity is to introduce the concept of timelines and to explore the history of the Industrial Revolution.   A video is shown that teaches about the Industrial Revolution, and the teacher uses a Smart Board to present lesson material.  This belongs in the Active Entry cell of the T.I.M. because the teacher is passively using technology; there is no student engagement with the technology.  I chose this example because often corporate trainers want students to get a hands-on feel for the particular subject being taught, but they teach the material only with teacher demonstrations.


Experience 3
A high school business class is learning PowerPoint. They follow a scripted process to create slides. Each student does exactly the same thing, following a workbook. Some students do provide peer coaching.             Applicable TIM cell – Active Entry.  This cell on the TIM states that the students are paced through the activity and everyone does the same thing.  This relates to me/my interests because of my consideration of corporate training as a career.  Too often, corporate training uses this same process to teach software to employees 


Experience 4
An eighth grade science class views a Discovery Education video on genetics as review for a test. Applicable T.I.M. cell – Adoptive Entry because students are not engaged in using technology. This fits into my future endeavors because video-training is often used in industry.  Video-training is a passive way of teaching. Only extremely motivated learners get much out of this style. 

Experience 5
A 10th grade girl’s chorus class meets to prepare for an upcoming school-wide performance. Each ensemble steps up randomly and performs their number.  Students use technology to play accompaniments and microphones for vocals.  This goes into the Collaborative Entry cell of the T.I.M.  This fits into my world because workers often need to learn how to use microphones and select music for presentations.

Take It Up a Notch

Experience 1
Students read the same short story.  The discussion takes place on VoiceThread.  The teacher guides the discussion by participating.  Points discussed include those mentioned in the original experience and expand to have students point out specific examples of the structural components of the essay.  Students benefit from peer opinions, can contribute to the discussion at home or during school.  This is moved to the Collaborative Adoption Cell on the T.I.M.  Using VoiceThread allows students to learn from their peers.  Reflection is increased as students think about ideas before posting – VT can be used both synchronously and asynchronously, which gives opportunity for thinking before talking.


Experience 3
Students will learn PowerPoint.  This class will use differentiated learning.  Students with prior experience using PowerPoint will serve as mentors and will learn more advanced ppt skills.  Students are paired (and will share a computer).  They will choose a topic that applies to any subject for which they need to prepare a presentation.  If a student has no assignment to prepare, a list of possible topics will be available; student choice of topic will also be accepted.  Teacher models use of Master Slides, basic ppt functions, and designing aesthetically pleasing slides.   Guided instruction is provided by the teacher while students work on their projects.  This moves the class to the Collaborative Adoption cell on the T.I.M. because students help each other with particular aspects of the program.  Students are able to progress at their own speeds (learning just what they need for their particular situation), explore what the software can do, and create an artifact that can be used in another situation. 

Experience 5

Students preparing vocal presentations for the concert will be recorded and will post their performances on a version on You Tube designed for schools (less open). Students will search for music on the Internet and research copyright issues. The ensembles will self-evaluate and offer constructive criticism on other performances. This moves the learning activity into the Collaborative Adoption Cell on the T.I.M. Seeing one’s performance allows for self-evaluation and revision that is intrinsically motivated. The peer evaluations are important because often new ideas are generated and then expanded upon by peers.