Yes They Can Learn!
How to…Use Low Tech to High
Tech, Teaching Students Using
Universal Design for Learning
Marsha Harper and Sherida Gentry
Educational Consultants
West Ky. Educational Cooperative
Objectives for This Session
• Participants will have access to multiple
examples of Differentiated Instruction for
students with complex needs.
• Participants will learn about current UDL
practices and other forms of Assistive
Technology.
• Participants will gain awareness of current
tools to provide access to the general
curriculum for all students.
Universal Design for Learning calls
for …
• Multiple, flexible means of representation, to
give learners various ways of acquiring
information and knowledge.
• Multiple, flexible means of expression, to
provide alternatives for demonstrating what they
know.
• Multiple, flexible means of engagement, to tap
into learners interest, offer appropriate
challenges, and increase motivation.
CAST, 2008 www.cast.org
Why Do We Have to Provide
Access to the General Curriculum?
• The re-authorization of IDEIA mandates
that all students should have access to the
general curriculum
• How student’s access the curriculum is
what is different.
“Low Tech,” “Mid” Tech, “High
Tech”-What’s the Difference?
• Low Tech -Visual support strategies which do not
involve any type of electronic or battery operated device
(i.e. dry erase board, clip board, binders, folders, PECS,
photos, highlight tape, etc)
• Mid Tech -Battery operated devices or “simple”
electronic devices requiring limited advancements (i.e.
tape recorder, Language Master, overhead projector,
timers, calculators, and simple voice output devices)
• High Tech -Complex technological support strategiestypically “high” cost equipment (i.e. video cameras,
computers, adaptive hardware, complex voice output
devices)
Written by Susan Stolkes under a contract with CESA 7 and funded by a discretionary grant from the
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Multiple, Flexible Means of
Engagement
Accessing the Curriculum
“Low Tech” to “High Tech”
• Various types of
technology that
enhance visual
processing should be
incorporated into
every aspect of daily
living to assist
individuals with
autism in overcoming
their barriers,
because most
individuals with ASD
are visual learners.
Multiple, Flexible Means of
Engagement (Visual Schedules)
Multiple, Flexible Means of
Engagement (Visual Supports)
Instructional Materials/Engagement
Provide alternatives for recruiting and sustaining interest
Use a personal area of
interest to recruit attention.
A clickable puzzle created using
Classroom Suite (IntelliTools),
maintains student interest through
physical movement with auditory
feedback, contrasting color,
music, and animation at
completion.
Teaching Methods/Engagement
Graduated supports for developing self-regulation
A mini-schedule supports a student who
engages in learning with a predictable
schedule broken down into increments.
The system is flexible to individualize the
expectations and supports.
A choice of rewards is
available for completed work
as well as a selection of
sensory supports.
Additional Examples of Multiple,
Flexible Means of Engagement
• Turn taking cards, objects, stick, etc.
• “When____ then____” visual
Multiple, Flexible Means of
Representation
CAST 2008 www.cast.org
Multiple, Flexible Means of
Representation (Visual Supports)
Instructional Materials/Representation
Support background knowledge
Make a connection
to the student’s life
that can be related
to the new
targeted
knowledge.
Google Earth
Instructional Materials/Representation
Provide perceptual and linguistic options through
multiple media and formats
Environment,
biomes, geography
Removable
graphics
Sand
http://www.thinkfinity.org/home.aspx
http://www.unitedstreaming.com/index.cfm?
Video Self Modeling
and Scheduling
• Luke
• Jami
Teaching Methods/Representation
Multiple Examples
Teaching Methods/Representation
Highlight Critical Features
• Character in a play, story or novel – The
Giver by Lois Lowery
– Use Spark Notes for character summary
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/giver/characters.html
Teaching Methods/Representation
Highlight Critical Features
Read & Write Gold, TextHelp Systems)
Teaching Methods/Representation
Highlight Critical Features
Writing with Symbols 2000, Widgit
Teaching Methods/Representation
Highlight Critical Features
AbleNet, Inc
Jonas is a boy.
Jonas is sensitive.
Voice output
Story Bag containing
objects representing
critical elements of
character
Jonas is a boy
Jonas is sensitive
Teaching Methods/Representation
Highlight Critical Features
Visual Thesaurus:
http://www.visualthesaurus.com/
Assessment Methods/Representation
Present options to accurately measure knowledge
Do you
Which representation is an accurate measure of wants/needs?
Additional Examples of Multiple,
Flexible Means of Representation
•
•
•
•
Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations
“Wait” Cards
“Help” Cards
Social “rule” cards (quick reference for visual
reminder)
• Various visual symbols for attending skills (i.e.
go, almost done, stop)
• Highlighter tape
• Video Taping (i.e. language comprehension,
social skills, expressive language, self help
skills, emotions and academics)
Multiple, Flexible Means of
Expression
CAST 2008, www.cast.org
Mid Tech Voice Output Devices
Big Mack Switch
Available through AbleNet
Cheap Talk 4
Available through Enabling Devices
Step by Step Communicator
Available through AbleNet
Voice in a Box
Available through Frame Technologies
Talk Pad
Available through Frame Technologies
Mid Tech Voice Output Devices
Language Master
Available through Drake
Educational Associates
Tape Recorder
Available through various vendors
Multiple, Flexible Means of
Expressive (Visual Supports)
Instructional Materials/Expression
Provide tools and media for expression
Scaffold learning to ensure
success; increase the level of
challenge as appropriate to
facilitate learning of new concepts
and content.
Boardmaker (Mayer-Johnson, Inc.)
Choose It Maker
Choose It Maker 2
Instructional Materials/Expression
Motor skills required for action
IntelliTools, Inc
Customizable instructional
software can be accessed
through a mouse, trackball,
switches, alternate keyboard
with custom overlays, and
scanning.
IntelliTools offers an Activity
Exchange with free membership
Jigsaw from Inclusive TLC
Instructional Materials/Expression
Provide tools and media for expression
Graphic Organizer
TechTalk
Drawing
A plant has
Tango! Blink Twice
leaves
●
Sentence strips
Writing with Symbols
2000, Widgit
Boardmaker,
Mayer Johnson
Teaching Methods/Expression
Options in the contexts required for performance
Grouping options
Students studying weather
patterns went outside as a
small group to record data
for an individual report.
Assessment Methods/Expression
Scaffolding options to optimally inform instruction
Students are recording data while
completing an experiment to
determine conductors and
insulators.
The student has completed a
Venn diagram to compare some
things she does with that of a
soldier from the Civil War era
Additional Examples of Multiple,
Flexible Means of Expression
•
•
•
•
“Break Cards”
Choice Cards w/choice board (optional)
“All done Cards
Topic Ring/Topic Wallet (for initiation of
topic not related to special interest)
• Social Scripts
• File Folder Activities
Additional Examples of Multiple,
Flexible Means of Expression
• Accessory Equipment
– Digital Camera
– Scanner
• Adaptive Hardware for computers
– Touch Window
– Intellikeys
– Big Keys and Big Keys Plus
– Trackballs