Student Guide Corner

In preparing for an upcoming project, I came across these YouTube videos worth sharing. The first one helps to understand what it's like for some students who are dyslexic or challenged with reading disabilities. The second video reveals how students choose to write words they think they can spell instead of using the words that reflect their vocabulary level. Finally, this video highlights famous dyslexics and how they were viewed as children. Does this sound like anyone in your classroom? Do you have any stories of your own to share?

I resisted the purchase for a few days but finally realized I needed to get my hands on one myself. I needed to evaluate it as another tool for education, another tool that possibly promotes Universal Design for Learning (provide multiple methods of engagement, presentation and expression). I needed to evaluate it FOR MYSELF. With the students in mind. My initial observations lead me to believe this is TRANSFORMATIVE. Especially for struggling learners (kids on IEPs and 504s for example). Why? 1. The Coolness Factor - Never discredit this. Everywhere I go, whenever I bring out the iPad, everyone's demeanor changes to enthusiastic excitement. They salivate. Their fingers twitch. Give an iPad to a student with special needs and their peers will change their views. Historically, students on IEPs have not been viewed as the Cool Kids. This can be a game changer. The touch technology and available apps offer UDL strategies which can meet the academic needs of our kids. (more in a sub...

Reluctant writers, aren't born. They are often casualties of our classroom instruction. How? Possible reasons include the following: Remembering how to hold the writing the pencil correctly, form the letters correctly, space between words, generate thought and remember how to write a sentence with correct punctuation while making sense is too challenging for some kids. Due to handwriting issues, we've assigned a scribe for them, so they never have the opportunity to practice the art of writing on their own. Then the risks become too great. Poor spelling inhibits thought expressed on paper. Red pen corrections anyone? So what can you do to help overcome the writing barriers? Give students opportunities to feel successful, offering engaging alternatives to paper based options. Oftentimes, the paper is the disability. Instead, explore these tools to get kids excited about writing again. Using computer based tools removes the obstacles of legible letter formation and spacing, what ...

As a lifelong learner, I continue to learn about new tools and strategies which help improve my professional practice as an educator (and read articles that challenge my thinking). Here are some that I learned this week from my PLN: Speaking Fox - Unfortunately, Click, Speak doesn't seem to work easily on the Mac OS. SpeakingFox takes care of that and allows free online text-to-speech (TTS). Add it to your school toolbar and show all students how to use this tool. Some students may need to hear one word; for other students, this free tool makes the text accessible. Audio Pal - Add audio to your blog, wiki or website. Can record your own voice or add TTS. Free and cool possibilities Signed Stories - Many signed picture books with audio attached for hearing viewers. Try Different - Seth Godin always makes him points, concisely. "If it's not working, harder might not be the answer." Think of the applications in your daily work as an educator. Good Riddance to Print ...

Today, I offer a different "ice-breaker" idea for your next professional development workshop. Watch this video and ask your participants who they would prefer to be: Venus Hum - the hair, the glasses, the DRESS! Blue Man Engineer who designed the light show Audience member Backup singer Lead guitar Drummer Camera Man Someone I missed? There is so much you can do with YouTube.

As frequently happens, Gary Stager nails another relevant educational topic in his blog that should be read by all. The importance of play. (Two questions for you to ponder: 1. Why is it that most of the smiling and laughter in our schools happens on the playgrounds? 2. And why are we shushing kids when they eat their lunch; can you imagine being told to be quiet during your lunch break?)

The ReadWriteThink.org student interactives resources have always been included in the UDLTechToolkit free tools wiki . Due to recent updating of the website, it's easier than ever to find specific interactive student tools by content area, teaching goal or grade level. Engage your students in online literacy learning with these interactive tools that help them accomplish a variety of goals�from organizing their thoughts to learning about language�all while having fun. Some of the new tools I've discovered as a result of the refinements to the website are the ReadWriteThink Notetaker tool (love it!) and the Literary Ele ments Map (great for 6-12). Refine your search by using the search tool on the left side of the site. Definitely worth checking out as part of embedding universal design into your instruction.