Transcript Teaching Diverse Learners Lorinda Tait, MA

Teaching Diverse Learners
Lorinda Tait, MA-CCC SLP,
Assistive Technology Consultant
Lansing School District
Regional Technology Academy
2003
Lorinda Tait
Objectives
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Increase knowledge of universal design
for learning instruction
Increase knowledge of AT tools, text
readers, scanning programs and e-text.
Learn to use Write:OutLoud, Co:Writer,
Alpha Smart, Speaking Homework
Whiz.
Become aware of Premier Assistive
Technology’s software-Ultimate talking
dictionary, Talking Word Processor,
Scan & Read.
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Universal access
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Using technology tools and
strategies to provide access to
critical curriculum and
information resources in a
variety of formats to meet the
learning needs of students with
a broad range of abilities.
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Universal Design for Learning
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Students fall along a
continuum of learner
differences.
Teacher adjustments
for learner
differences should
occur for all
students.
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Curriculum is varied
and diverse
including digital and
online resources
rather than a single
textbook.
Curriculum should
be made flexible to
accommodate
learner differences.
Converting Curriculum
Materials to Digital Form
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A pliable medium – can appear as letters on
the screen or as spoken words. The text
(font, size, color) can be modified and edited.
Printed images - scanned or pictures can be
taken from a digital camera. The image can
be edited, sized, etc. Other media-text or
sound, can be attached to represent it in
multiple ways.
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Needs
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To be empowered
To improve self esteem
Flexible text
To read at their own pace
Strategies to help retain information
More than one channel of input: auditory,
visual, kinesthetic
Multisensory reading and writing experiences
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Assistive Devices
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Speaking Homework Whiz
Alpha Smart
Dana
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The Computer as a Valuable
Tool
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When have appropriate software it
provides a student with:
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An individual, non-judgmental learning
environment
Immediate feedback
Opportunity to work at own pace, whether
it is faster or slower
Repetitions if needed
An opportunity to focus attention on task
Talking /Writing Software
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Kidspiration (grades K-5) by Inspiration
Pix Writer by Slater Software
Write:OutLoud by Don Johnston
Co:Writer- added to Write:OutLoud for
word prediction by Don Johnston
Talking Word Processor with word
prediction by Premier Assistive@
ReadingMadeEasy.com
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Text Readers
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Word Q http://www.wordq.com,
E-reader/Ultimate Reader
http://www.cast.org,
TextHelp:Read & Write
www.texthelp.com or Pulse Data
Humanware
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Text Reader Programs
Text Assist
www.textassist.com
Screen Reader
www.texthelp.com
Text Aloud $20 (35 copies under $500):
www.nextup.com,
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Math Drill & Reinforcement
Software
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Millie’s Math House (Pre-K-2) by Edmark
Mighty Math Carnival (K-2) by Riverdeep
Money Town (K-3) by Davidson
Intellimathics or Math Pad by Intellitools
Tessellations (3-7)
http://www.coolmath.com/tesspag1.htm
www.Funbrain.com
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Digitized Books On Line
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http://ulc.cast.org
Talking Books on line
http://www.starfall.com
(sound out the words with
visual reinforcement)
MP3 Files for younger
students (Sleeping Beauty,
Snow White, Rapunzel):
www.candlelightstores.com
http://www.netlibrary.com/
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More Books
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Library of Michigan http://www.mel.org
Amazon.com website $4.00 some less some more.
Microsoft Reader (free)
http://www.Microsoft,com/reader/download.asp
www.ldresources.com/etext
www.netlibrary,com
www.gutenberg.net
Get a subscription:
http://bookshare.org/web/Welcome.html
KidBook – create electronic talking books (free)
http://www.switchintime.com
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Modeled Reading
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Hear stories read aloud by a
professional narrator with electronic
books. Students gain background
knowledge before reading the story
independently.
Start-to-Finish Books
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Commercial Electronic Books
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UKanDu Little Books (Don Johnston
Incorporated)
Living Books (Random House/
Broderbund)
Wiggle Works (Scholastic)
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Strategies
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Tape recorder- Notetaking, recording
lectures, assisting students to express
themselves for writing activities
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NCR or non carbon paper for making a
copy of notes
http://www.shoplet.com/office/db/g1590.html
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Strategies
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Electronic spelling dictionary (talking or
non-talking)
Talking textbooks and novels
Electronic organizers for schedules,
reminder, lists, etc.
Provide a second set of textbooks for
the student to use at home
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Strategies
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Overhead projector to post outline
Television, VCR and video tapes when used
creatively can be good mediums for learning
Know the mode through which the student
learns best: visual, auditory, tactile/
kinesthetic
Know reading level of student and make sure
printed material is at that level
Provide visual and graphic aids when teaching
Encourage the student to use a highlighter to
mark important information
Provide study guides and copies of notes
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Evaluation Ideas
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Use on line quiz providers (Quiz Lab) by
www.Funbrain.com or Quiz Center by
www.Discovery.com
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Last but not Least
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