Universal Design for Learning Solutions
Curriculum
Unit Methods
and
Materials
Challenges that these
instructional methods
and materials present to
some students
Reading
Student’s independent
reading level is below
grade level & auditory
comprehension okay.
Check with local district or publisher to determine If the text is available in a digital
format. Student can then use digital text with a text reader such as
www.naturalreaders.com or www.readplease.com (both are free downloads).
Student’s independent
reading level is below
grade level & auditory
comprehension okay
If text is not available in digital format, or student needs a human voice, with
natural inflection, consider obtaining an audio tape or MP3 from the publisher or
with publisher permission, make an audio recording using a tape recorder or
software such as Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/ ).
UDL Solutions
Locate supplemental text written at an appropriate grade level.
If student is print disabled, register with www.bookshare.org (digital text) or
www.rfbd.org (audio recording) and obtain appropriate text; digital format of fiction
books for print disabled are also available at www.accessiblebookcollection.org
Student has difficulty
with new vocabulary
When not on a computer, allow student to use an electronic dictionary, one with
speech output can be particularly helpful such as Children’s Talking Dictionary by
Franklin Publishers (or other models for 8-12 grade).
www.answers.com for online word help; also www.google.com/dictionary
www.visualthesaurus.com for an online dictionary that demonstrate word
relationships graphically.
Find pictures or graphic representations of words, terms, and concepts at image
sites like Google or Discovery Education or NetTrekker,
In addition to above suggestions:
Presenting
new
information
Student lacks
background knowledge
for vocabulary and/or
concepts he is reading
Use short video segments of information from such sources as streaming video
from Discovery Education, http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm .
Start with video at a lower grade level, next show a video on the exact same
background topic at a higher level; continue until you reach the desired level. Video
clips should be short (2-3 minutes or less) and address only the exact vocabulary or
concepts needed.
Use NetTrekker to identify related website information written at an appropriate
reading level. (Free to MI teachers through www.learnport.com.)
Student is distractible
and misses information
Provide partial or complete notes to student. Partial could include fill in the blank or
outline of major topics.
Complete notes could be either teacher or student generated.
Use NetTrekker to identify related website information written at an appropriate
reading level.
Avoid long periods of lecture without comprehension checks, small group debriefing,
etc.
Provide activities that regularly engage the student such as the use of a classroom
response system (Classroom clickers), to survey students regularly for
understanding and attention.
Student requires a highly Use educational videos to reinforce course concepts such as Discovery Education’s
audio visual mode of
video streaming or TeacherTube, http://www.teachertube.com/index.php
instruction
Search the Internet for other free online video sources. Many are available at
legitimate educator sponsored sites such as the content area websites attached.
HS Content
Areas: Math
Science,
Social
Studies,
including AP
courses
Student needs repeated
explanation of content
See included list for additional suggested digital content at Science and Social
Studies websites.
Science and
Social
Studies
Math
HippoCampus, http://www.hippocampus.org/ , provides online demonstration and
practice of concepts in a variety of subjects including Algebra 1A, 1B, and
Elementary Algebra, Calculus in Spanish, Statistics, Religion, Psychology, Biology,
Environmental Science, Physics, Amer. Government, and US History. Content can
be presented in the same order as a wide variety of publishers’ textbooks making it
easy for teacher and student to find daily support. Directions are provided in human
voice narratives. Practice problems and explore activities are included. Some
subjects include text and audio presentations with picture slide shows. Text can be
read to student using free text reader such as www.naturalreaders.com
Student has difficulty
keeping numbers
properly lined up on
page
Use graph paper. If student is embarrassed to use graph paper, have the whole
class use it, or print grid paper using the computer (print the grids in a light color and
no one else will notice that the student requires grid line support). Do2Learn, has
paper ready to print in 1/8” to 1” grid sizes,
http://www.do2learn.com/activities/mathhelpers/index.htm .
Student benefits from
hands-on math activities
Use math manipulatives provided with math series.
Shodor, http://shodor.org/about/mission , provides interactive models, simulations
and educational tools to increase effective use of computers in science and math
education. Their online Interactive site, http://www.shodor.org/interactivate is their
most popular feature. http://shodor.org/curriculum/grade.php grade level search.
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives, http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html ,
another site providing on line manipulative activities dividing into grade appropriate
topics. Free use online, but now available for purchase on CD if online in not
practical.
MathTools, http://mathforum.org/mathtools/started.html , wealth of resources/links
for using technology to enhance teaching and learning mathematics.
Student needs help w/
math homework
If web access is not a problem, try WebMath http://www.webmath.com, click on a
topic and find explanations with examples to various math problems.
Additional Math websites See attached list for additional math related websites
Too good not to include: Hotmath, http://hotmath.com/about.html , provides 24/7
math help; can link directly with specific publishers’ textbooks. Practice tests,
workbooks, calculator tutorials, games and activities are free, step-by-step answers,
videos and online tutoring for a fee.
Organization,
Student has difficulty
study
understanding directions
Reword directions or questions
Have student paraphrase directions or questions
Provide visual supports with auditory directions
Show student example of finished products
Student has
organizational difficulties
Reformat handouts to provide more workspace
Provide a checklist
Provide time management cues/step-by-deadlines
Provide organizers with projects
Section still in progress…..
Writing
Student has difficulty
taking notes
Reduce note taking requirements by providing notes with key information
Reduce required copying from board, book
Use e-text sources that can be copied electronically.
Allow use of highlighters or highlighting tape or post it notes