accessibility / UDL

Universal Design for Learning: It’s Not Just for Disability Experts Anymore (The Confessions of a First-Time Teacher) — Katzel

On 08/07/2011, in accessibility / UDL, neurodivergent/special needs, personalized/customized learning, project-based learning, teaching & learning, by Daniel Christian

Universal Design for Learning: It’s Not Just for Disability Experts Anymore (The Confessions of a First-Time Teacher) — from National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) by Amy Katzel

Excerpt:

All students, with or without disabilities, have different strengths and weaknesses. Early on, it was clear to me that I had a wide range of abilities in the room. Some students started out unable to consistently construct full sentences, while others were already writing complex prose. Some students raised their hand frequently to answer questions, while others preferred to stay quiet. When we did reading assignments during class, everyone read at different speeds. Some youth demonstrated they understood the material on quizzes, but then struggled with applying those concepts to their essays.

When I get up in front of the class, to which student am I teaching?

Also see:

Tagged with: accessibility • customized learning • personalized learning • project-based learning • special needs • teaching & learning • Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Online-based modules from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) re: Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

On 07/27/2011, in accessibility / UDL, neurodivergent/special needs, by Daniel Christian

Here are two online-based modules from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) regarding Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

These two free online modules introduce the theory, principles and application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to teachers and teacher candidates. The modules, each four to six hours in length, can be used in graduate and undergraduate education courses, professional development, consulting activities, and as a resource for educators across the country.

Module One, Introduction to UDL, offers an overview of UDL by addressing the three principles of UDL, the connection of UDL to neuroscience, and the impact of UDL on curriculum.

Module Two, Applying UDL to Lesson Development, provides practice applying the UDL principles and guidelines to instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments.

About CAST:

CAST is a nonprofit research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through Universal Design for Learning.

Founded in 1984 as the Center for Applied Special Technology, CAST has earned international recognition for its innovative contributions to educational products, classroom practices, and policies. Its staff includes specialists in education research and policy, neuropsychology, clinical/school psychology, technology, engineering, curriculum development, K-12 professional development, and more.

Also see:

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Supports Engagement & Success of All Youth — from ncwd-youth.info

Tagged with: accessibility • special needs • Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

SNApps4Kids.com — Special Needs Apps for Kids

On 07/26/2011, in accessibility / UDL, Apple, education technology, educational games / serious games, Google, multi-touch, multimedia, neurodivergent/special needs, by Daniel Christian

Above resource from:

4 ways iPads are changing the lives of people with disabilities — from Mashable.com by Zoe Fox

Addendums later on 7/19:

Spotlight Award: iPad as “Game Changer” — from Elliott Masie The Learning CONSORTIUM is proud to announce that the iPad will receive a special “Game Changer” Learning Spotlight Award at Elliott Masie’s Learning 2011, November 6-9, in Orlando, FL.
NASA releases iPad app for science research — from CNET.com by Don Reisinger

Tagged with: accessibility • Apple • educational gaming • educational technology • Google • iPad • iPhone • iPod • multi-touch • multimedia • special needs

Disabled bodies, able minds: Giving voice, movement, and independence to the physically challenged [Curtis]

On 07/24/2011, in accessibility / UDL, assistive technologies, neurodivergent/special needs, strategy, student-related, teachers, by Daniel Christian

Disabled bodies, able minds: Giving voice, movement, and independence to the physically challenged — from Edutopia.org by Diane Curtis
Assistive technology makes it possible for students without full mobility to participate in class and school activities.

Tagged with: accessibility • assistive technologies • special needs • strategy • student-related • teachers

Tagged with: accessibility • K-12 • special needs

TeachTown — educational products for children with autism

On 06/28/2011, in accessibility / UDL, K-12 related, neurodivergent/special needs, student teaching/teacher education, teachers, by Daniel Christian

TeachTown provides education software and solutions for children with special needs and autism. Serving special education, TeachTown addresses language learning, social skills, communications skills and emotional development.

From DSC:
I originally saw this at “New website offers autism information and support”

Tagged with: accessibility • K-12 • special needs • student teaching/teacher education • teachers

Accessibility-related resources/updates

On 05/31/2011, in accessibility / UDL, emerging technologies, instructional design, by Daniel Christian

New U.S. Dept. of Ed. Guidance on Accessibility and Emerging Technologies — from Educause

Also see (with my thanks to Capella University here):

The Federal Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (June, 2001). Web-based intranet and internet information and applications (1194.22) Retrieved at http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm.

The Federal Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (n.d.). Electronic and information technology standards: An overview. Retrieved from http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/summary.htm.

United States Department of Justice (2009). Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. Retrieved from http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm.

United States Government (1998). Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Retrieved from http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm?fuseAction=1998Amend.

WebAIM Section 508 Checklist. Retrieved at http://webaim.org/standards/508/checklist.

…and http://www.automaticsync.com/

Tagged with: accessibility • emerging technologies • instructional design

How the iPad can help learning disabled students [Windman]

On 05/13/2011, in accessibility / UDL, education technology, by Daniel Christian

How the iPad can help learning disabled students — from techlearning.com by guest blogger Vicki Windman

Excerpt:

Students with learning disabilities may have problems with reading, math, reasoning and recall. But given the appropriate tools, learning disabled students too can achieve academic success. The iPad has numerous apps to help learning disabled students compensate for their particular disability.

Tagged with: accessibility • educational technology • human-computer interaction (HCI) • iPad

Items from Learning Ally

On 04/18/2011, in accessibility / UDL, by Daniel Christian

Also see:

New Digital Pen & Paper Solution from AssistiveTek, LLC

Tagged with: accessibility

How to create accessible Microsoft Office files

On 04/12/2011, in accessibility / UDL, assistive technologies, Microsoft, by Daniel Christian

How to create accessible Microsoft Office files — from The Chronicle by Cory Bohon

Whenever you are creating content for mass consumption (be it students, co-workers, or the Web), you should consider the accessibility of what you are creating. For example, if your content has audio, have you created a transcript or captions so that deaf people can access it? If your content has important visual information, have you formatted this information in a way that is compatible with the assistive technology used by people who are blind or have low vision?

Tagged with: accessibility • assistive technologies • Microsoft

iPads, iPod Touches, and iPhones as Assistive Technology in Education

On 04/08/2011, in accessibility / UDL, assistive technologies, human-computer interaction (HCI), K-12 related, student teaching/teacher education, by Daniel Christian

iPads, iPod Touches, and iPhones as Assistive Technology in Education — from Tech & Learning

Some items re: VoiceThread and accessibility

On 04/06/2011, in accessibility / UDL, digital audio, digital learning, digital video, tools, web-based collaboration, by Daniel Christian

Accessibility

At VoiceThread, we believe universal accessibility means more than just saying we meet a few guidelines in Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act. We do want to make our software usable by all people, and Section 508 does a good job of encouraging that, but we want to go one step further and make it straightforward and pleasant for everyone to use, as well. We want to serve the needs of a person with dyslexia or ADHD, an outdoor classroom with mobile devices, a user in the developing world without high-speed internet, a kindergartner, or an elderly lifelong learner. In our experience, the only way to do this is by thoughtful and sensitive design, with lots of input from our differently-abled users, and that’s something that can’t be contained in any number of checkboxes.

Also see:

Tagged with: accessibility • digital audio • digital learning • digital video • tools • web-based collaboration

Also see:

Tagged with: 21st century • 24x7x365 • accessibility • Apple • convergence • digital audio • digital learning • digital photography • digital storytelling • digital textbooks • digital video • disruption • e-books • e-learning • e-readers • educational technology • emerging technologies • engagement • iPad • iTunes U • Mobile learning • mobile technology • online learning • online media • publishing • tablets • transmedia • videoconferencing

Coping with learning disabilities

On 02/25/2011, in accessibility / UDL, learning, by Daniel Christian

Coping with learning disabilities — from education-portal.com by Megan Driscoll
Afraid you or your child might be affected by a learning disability (LD)? Learn how to identify signs of common learning disabilities and access special education opportunities.

Tagged with: accessibility • learning disabilities

Section 508-related resources [esp. as related to IT]

On 02/23/2011, in accessibility / UDL, education technology, IT in HE, by Daniel Christian

-My thanks to Mr. Michael Haan, Calvin College, for this resource

Also see:

Is Ed Tech Accessible Enough? — from CampusTechnology.com by Bridget McCrea
Technology opens doors for college students and teachers, but it’s not always adequate for non-traditional learners, despite meeting existing accessibility standards.
Helen Lee knows what it’s like to get excited about a new piece of classroom technology. But as assistant professor for Western Michigan University’s Department of Blindness & Low Vision Studies in Kalamazoo, Lee also is familiar with the bitter disappointment that comes when her students can’t use some or all of the technology.

Tagged with: accessibility • educational technology • higher education • IT

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Learning Ecosystems

Universal Design for Learning: It’s Not Just for Disability Experts Anymore (The Confessions of a First-Time Teacher) — Katzel

Online-based modules from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) re: Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

SNApps4Kids.com — Special Needs Apps for Kids

Accessibility-related resources/updates

How the iPad can help learning disabled students [Windman]

Items from Learning Ally

How to create accessible Microsoft Office files

Some items re: VoiceThread and accessibility

iPad 2 announced

Coping with learning disabilities

Section 508-related resources [esp. as related to IT]

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