Universal Design for Learning: Assistive Technology and eLearning

1
Universal Design for Learning Assistive
Technology and eLearning

2
Last Week
3
Universal Design for Learning

• From last weeks 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.

4
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).

5
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.

6
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

7
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

8
Assistive Technology in Writing

• Lo-Tech Aids can include
• Raised lined paper
• Pencil grips
• Slant boards
• Ergonomic pens

9
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

10
Assistive Technology in Writing

• Hi-Tech Aids can include
• Word Predication programs
• For students with fine motor control issues
• And with vocabulary problems
• CoWriter 4000
• Gus Communications
• Telepathic 2000

11
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

12
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.

13
Assistive Technology in Composition of Thoughts

• Lo-Tech Aids can include
• Organizing thoughts
• Flow-charting
• Task analysis
• Webbing
• Networking ideas
• Outlining strategies

14
Assistive Technology in Composition of Thoughts

• Hi-Tech Aids can include
• Organizing thoughts
• Kidspiration
• Inspiration
• Draft Builder

15
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

16
Assistive Technology in Composition of Thoughts

• Hi-Tech Aids can include
• Note Taking programs
• Writing disability
• AlphaSmart
• DreamWriter

17
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

18
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

19
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

20
Assistive Technology in Reading

• Hi-Tech Aids can include
• Reading Comprehension
• Kurzweil 3000
• IntelliTools Reading
• www.readwritethink.org

21
Assistive Technology in Maths

• Mathematics problems are wide and varied and can
  include
• Difficulty processing language
• Visual spatial confusion
• Inability to develop number sense

22
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

23
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

24
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

25
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

26
Assistive Technology in Communications

• Communications can be delayed or interrupted by
  disabilities, including
• Language and Speech
• Hearing

27
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

28
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

29
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

30
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

31
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

32
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

33
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.

34
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

35
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 its 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.

36
Some Terms

• Open Source
• Freeware
• Shareware
• Adandonware