Assignment 1: UDL

Eye Gaze system: This is a great tool for allowing students who are non verbal the ability to effectively communicate with their peers and workers. The Eye Gaze system allows learners to be engaged with the material presented, and gives them the opportunity to independently respond to the learning task. This is another form of communication for students to use if they are unable to communicate verbally or via sign language. The student using the Eye Gaze system also has the ability to "type" out sentences and then have it said aloud, as opposed to writing out or speaking a sentence as other students may be able to. This system fits nicely with UDL principles in allowing all students the ability to communicate in the classroom.

Switch adapted scissors: This is a learning tool I had never seen before but it is so neat! We have a student in our program who is unable to use his hands to cut, so we hook up these scissors to a button that he is able to hit (it's large) that will turn on the scissors. The scissors then work automatically to cut with a staff member feeding the material through. I thought this was an amazing device to allow our student to be more independent while working on a task. To fit with UDL framework, this tool might be used as an optional way of completing an assignment. For example, when we do our "story of the day" with our students, afterwards they have comprehension questions to answer. While the majority of the students will write out their answers, that is not possible for everyone. Some students have the option of cutting out words from a word bank, selecting the correct answer, and then gluing it down in the appropriate spot on the page. This is a great way of ensuring that everyone can participate in the activity in a way that best meets their learning needs.

Switch adapted button: One of our students uses a button that can be connected to a few different things to allow him to operate them independently. We use the button with him mainly for when we do cooking, and sometimes during our class meetings. When we cook, we are able to connect this button to a mixer or a blender so that this student can turn the device on and off. This allows them the opportunity to be included in a lesson that otherwise would not be accessible to them (due to very limited use of arms). Additionally, sometimes during our class meetings we will do a "weekend report", and as this can be tedious using the EyeGaze system, one of our EA's will record a message on a speaker that we then connect to the button. This allows our student to be able to share with the class a little about their weekend without a staff member having to speak on behalf of the student (in front of the other students). I like that it gives the student somewhat of their own voice when "speaking" to the rest of the class. This tool fits with UDL principles because it enables students to particpate in activities in a hands on way whereas otherwise they would simply be just watching and listening to the activity being presented.

This website has a varitey of different adaptive switches and other adaptive devices: https://enablingdevices.com

Book Creator is a great tool to enhance student learning! I used this program with a student I worked with in a Family Studies class to make a presentation about her day in our life skills program. This tool was great because the student was able to make the presentation her own by picking out the backgrounds, fonts, and pictures she wanted to use in her presentation. It was super simple to use (compared to something like PP) and we had a great time personalizing it together! The best part is that the app will read aloud whatever text is on the page during a presentation, so the student has the ability to present independently and still have their voice heard. This app fits into UDL principles as it is a different and additional option for a student to use when having to present their learning. Many students may have anxiety when it comes to public speaking or standing up in front of their class, and this resource provides those students with a way to still effectively make a presentation to their class all while avoiding having to speak or get up in front of everyone. Book Creator is definitely something I would have been using for presentations had it been around when I was in school!