On 10/28/2011,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, A/V -- audio/visual, accessibility / UDL, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning / Deep Learning / Algorithms, assistive technologies, Augmented Reality (AR), cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, collaboration, communications, convergence, corporate / business world, creativity, digital audio, digital learning, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, e-books, e-readers, education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, future, homeschooling/homeschoolers, human-computer interaction (HCI), innovation, intelligent systems, interactivity, interface design, internet, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, lifelong learning, machine-to-machine communications, Microsoft, mirroring and/or multiple devices, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multi-touch, multimedia, Near Field Communication (NFC), new media literacies, online learning, online media, personalized/customized learning, reinvent, tablets, technologies for your home, technology (general), television, tools, transmedia, trends, ubiquitous learning, user experience (UX), user interface design, videoconferencing, vision/possibilities, visualizing information, web-based collaboration,
by Daniel Christian
On 10/10/2011,
in accessibility / UDL, cost of getting a degree, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, future of higher education, game-changing environment, innovation, leadership, legislatures / government / legal, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, new business models, online learning, reinvent, staying relevant, strategy, trends,
by Daniel Christian
Excerpt from their Value Proposition page:
The concept of a broad based, highly educated population began its journey to reality a 150 years ago, when Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act in 1862. The Act called for the establishment of “at least one College in every state upon a sure and perpetual foundation, accessible to all, but especially to the sons of toil” (emphasis DSC).
…
Despite the unprecedented success of America’s public university system that is the envy of the world, reduced state and federal funding, almost a trillion dollars in student loans, tuition soaring out of reach for middle class families, stunning demographic changes and declining preparedness for college-level work, today’s public higher education is at a crossroads. Our old ways of doing business are no longer sustainable and the promise of the Morrill Act is in peril (emphasis DSC).
Also see:
On 09/13/2011,
in accessibility / UDL, communications, educational games / serious games, play, special needs,
by Daniel Christian
On 09/07/2011,
in accessibility / UDL, blogs / blogging / vlogging, special needs, teachers, teaching & learning,
by Daniel Christian
40 inspiring blogs every special education teacher should read — from mastersinspecialeducation.org
On 09/01/2011,
in accessibility / UDL, elearning, instructional design, online learning, special needs,
by Daniel Christian
E-Learning expands for special-needs students — from edweek.org by Nirvi Shah
But obstacles to greater participation remain, and questions persist about what works best for students with disabilities.
On 08/29/2011,
in accessibility / UDL,
by Daniel Christian
Universal Design for Learning: Meeting the needs of all students — from asha.org by Patricia Kelly Ralabate
Universal Design for Learning and Online Education — from academicimpressions.com
Re: event to be held on November 17, 2011 :: 1:00 – 2:45 p.m. EST
On 08/25/2011,
in 24x7x365 access, A/V -- audio/visual, accessibility / UDL, digital audio, digital learning, higher education, K-12 related, memory, metacognition / metacognitive skills, mobile learning, mobile technologies, tools, vendors,
by Daniel Christian
On 08/12/2011,
in 21st century, accessibility / UDL, assessment, engagement / engaging students, higher education, instructional design, K-12 related, learning, multimedia, pedagogy, personalized/customized learning, student-related, teachers, teaching & learning,
by Daniel Christian
My thanks to Mrs. Krista Spahr, Calvin College, for this resource and the quote below:
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is meant to minimize barriers and to maximize learning.
…
Reflections from DSC:
Though I still have much to learn about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), my initial thought is that I really like this approach, as it moves us away from the one-size-fits-all approach and towards a teaching and learning environment that offers more choice, more selection, and more opportunities for customization and personalization. Plus, as companies such as Apple and Microsoft have seen, functionality that started out trying to address accessibility-related needs ended up helping everyone!
Along these lines, I created this graphic years ago — with the idea that students would have a choice on which media they might prefer to use to absorb the information:
Again, the idea being that we could provide the same content in 3-5 different ways and let the students select what works best for them. Plus, in the example above, we could even see how other students are describing/making meaning of something.
But it goes further than this as I’m understanding UDL. For example, the methods for achieving a learning outcome can be greatly varied, as the assignments for a particular outcome might be reaching via watching a video clip, or reading a book, or doing a project, or writing a story, or creating music, or ___(fill in the blank) ____.
Also see:
On 08/07/2011,
in accessibility / UDL, personalized/customized learning, project-based learning, special needs, 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:
- Leading Project-Based Learning / Universal Design for Learning
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL): What it is and Why You Should Care — from ISTE.org
On 07/27/2011,
in accessibility / UDL, 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.
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
On 07/26/2011,
in accessibility / UDL, Apple, education technology, educational games / serious games, Google, multi-touch, multimedia, special needs,
by Daniel Christian
Above resource from:
- 4 ways iPads are changing the lives of people with disabilities — from Mashable.com by
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
Classroom language and reading trial shows promising results — from Down Syndrome Education International by Frank Buckley
Excerpt:
Speaking at an international scientific conference in Rome, researchers from Down Syndrome Education International and the University of York today reported positive initial results from a landmark study of a targeted language and reading programme for children with Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome Education International today reported promising initial findings from the early stages of a trial of a language and reading programme designed for schoolchildren with Down syndrome. The charity is conducting the multicentre randomised controlled trial in the UK with partners at the University of York. The study is the first large controlled trial of a educational intervention for children with Down syndrome.
On 06/28/2011,
in accessibility / UDL, K-12 related, 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”