Lorinda Tait Teaching Diverse Learners Lorinda Tait, MA-CCC SLP, Assistive Technology Consultant Lansing School District Regional Technology Academy 2003

Lorinda Tait Objectives 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.

Lorinda Tait Universal access 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.

Lorinda Tait Universal Design for Learning Students fall along a continuum of learner differences. Teacher adjustments for learner differences should occur for all students. Curriculum is varied and diverse including digital and online resources rather than a single textbook. Curriculum should be made flexible to accommodate learner differences.

Lorinda Tait Converting Curriculum Materials to Digital Form 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.

Lorinda Tait Needs 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

Lorinda Tait Assistive Devices Speaking Homework Whiz Alpha Smart Dana

Lorinda Tait The Computer as a Valuable Tool When have appropriate software it provides a student with: 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

Lorinda Tait Talking /Writing Software 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 ReadingMadeEasy.com

Lorinda Tait Text Readers Word Q E-reader/Ultimate Reader TextHelp:Read & Write or Pulse Data Humanwarehttp://

Lorinda Tait Text Reader Programs Text Assist Screen Reader Text Aloud $20 (35 copies under $500):

Lorinda Tait Math Drill & Reinforcement Software 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)

Lorinda Tait Digitized Books On Line Talking Books on line (sound out the words with visual reinforcement) MP3 Files for younger students (Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel):

Lorinda Tait More Books Library of Michigan Amazon.com website $4.00 some less some more. Microsoft Reader (free) Get a subscription: KidBook – create electronic talking books (free)

Lorinda Tait Modeled Reading Hear stories read aloud by a professional narrator with electronic books. Students gain background knowledge before reading the story independently. Start-to-Finish Books

Lorinda Tait Commercial Electronic Books UKanDu Little Books (Don Johnston Incorporated) Living Books (Random House/ Broderbund) Wiggle Works (Scholastic)

Lorinda Tait Strategies Tape recorder- Notetaking, recording lectures, assisting students to express themselves for writing activities NCR or non carbon paper for making a copy of notes

Lorinda Tait Strategies 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

Lorinda Tait Strategies 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

Lorinda Tait Evaluation Ideas Use on line quiz providers (Quiz Lab) by or Quiz Center by

Lorinda Tait Last but not Least