Three ideas to apply Technology in the Inclusive classroom
Three ideas to apply Technology in the Inclusive classroom
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In today’s inclusive classrooms, technology plays a crucial role in ensuring that all students have equal access to learning. Assistive technology, in particular, helps break down barriers for learners with different needs, including language challenges, learning disabilities, or varying learning styles. In this post, I’ll explore three powerful tools—Dyslexia Toolbox, Cube Creator, and Wepik—that act as assistive technologies, and I’ll guide you through how to use them effectively. I’ll also share tutorials and ideas for classroom activities that align with the SAMR model.
1. Dyslexia Toolbox: Supporting Readers with Dyslexia
Dyslexia Toolbox is a browser extension designed specifically to support students with dyslexia, a learning difference that affects reading and text processing.
Click on the picture to access this extension
This extension offers features like the Open Dyslexic font, text masking to help focus on specific lines, and left-aligned text for easier readability.
OpenDyslexic is an open-source font designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia. Created to address specific reading challenges, it features heavy-weighted bottoms on letters to help indicate direction, which aids in letter recognition and prevents confusion from letter rotation (OpenDyslexic, n.d.).
A heavier bottom is used to show which way is supposed to be down.
The unique design of OpenDyslexic, with its consistent letter shapes and spacing, aims to reduce visual stress and enhance reading efficiency. The font’s development incorporates feedback from dyslexic users and educators, ensuring ongoing improvements. It also includes wider letter spacing and a distinctive italic style to further support readability. OpenDyslexic is continually updated based on user input and has no restrictions on usage, making it a versatile tool for increasing accessibility in reading materials (OpenDyslexic, n.d.).
Reference:
OpenDyslexic. (n.d.). About. https://opendyslexic.org/about
How to Use Dyslexia Toolbox
Install the Extension: Download the Dyslexia Toolbox extension from the Chrome Web Store and activate it in your browser.
Enable Features: After installation, you can enable or disable specific features—such as changing the font to Open Dyslexic, turning on text masking, or ensuring all text is left-aligned—simply by clicking on Dyslexia Toolbox icon next to the search bar in your Chrome Browser.
Why It’s Assistive:
The features of Dyslexia Toolbox make text more accessible for students with dyslexia or attention difficulties, allowing them to focus better and follow along without frustration.
2. Cube Creator: Organizing Ideas for Diverse Learners
Summarizing information is essential in language learning, and Cube Creator offers an interactive way to organize thoughts visually. It provides students with structure in developing stories, biographies, or even research outlines. For learners with language processing or organizational difficulties, Cube Creator serves as a scaffold to break down complex tasks. (Cube Creator | Read Write Think, n.d.)
Click on the picture to access this tool
This tool offers different types of cubes that cater to various kinds of texts.
How to Use Cube Creator
Access Cube Creator: Go to the Cube Creator website and choose the type of cube—Story Cube, Bio Cube, or Create-Your-Own.
Follow the Prompts: Each cube comes with specific prompts. For instance, in the Story Cube, you’ll fill out sections like “Character,” “Setting,” and “Conflict.”
Save and Share: Once completed, students can save their work, print it, or share the digital file with teachers or classmates.
Why It’s Assistive:
For students who struggle with traditional writing or organizing ideas, Cube Creator provides a step-by-step framework to help them structure their thoughts. The prompts act as assistive scaffolds, guiding learners through complex tasks, which is particularly useful for students with learning differences like ADHD or language processing disorders.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning or development. Inattention may manifest as difficulty staying focused or organized, while hyperactivity involves constant movement or excessive fidgeting, even in inappropriate settings. Impulsivity is marked by acting without forethought, seeking immediate rewards, or struggling with self-control (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.).
3. Wepik: AI Presentation Maker
Wepik is an innovative online platform that simplifies the creation of visually stunning and professional designs—targeted towards a diverse audience ranging from small business owners to digital marketers and even students. Wepik offers an easy-to-use interface that makes graphic design accessible to everyone, regardless of their skill level. (Futurepedia, n.d.)
Click on the picture to access this tool
Just type the topic in, choose the number of slides, and watch as a new presentation is created automatically!
How to Use Wepic
Introduce your topic: Whatever your presentation needs, be it New Year celebrations or a business plan proposal, artificial intelligence does work. Just type the topic in, choose the number of slides, and watch as a new presentation is created automatically!
Find the perfect style: You have 5 different styles to choose from– doodle, simple, abstract, geometric, or elegant.
Make any edits you want: If you want to make a few changes, you have to open your newly generated presentation on the online editor and change colours, add more content, and correct inaccuracies. The sky is the limit!
Download the final result for free: When your presentation is ready, you can easily share it with anyone. Export in PDF format or generate a unique link to send directly.
(WePik | Free Graphic Design Editor & Online Templates, n.d.)
Why It’s Assistive:
Wepik’s AI Presentation Maker offers significant assistive benefits for students who struggle with organizing their thoughts, creating visual aids, or managing the technical aspects of designing presentations. For students with learning disabilities, such as dysgraphia or ADHD, traditional presentation tasks can be overwhelming due to the need to plan content, structure ideas, and design visuals simultaneously. Wepik’s AI takes the pressure off by automating much of the design work, allowing students to focus solely on the content.
Of course, all these tools might sond interesting and useful, but... how do we include them in our lessons? Click below to read some ideas for activities using the SAMR
References
Cube Creator | Read Write think. (n.d.). https://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/cube-creator#overview
Dyslexia toolbox - Chrome Web Store. (n.d.). https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/dyslexia-toolbox/gpjbfckicpmdjmhgcjoecomooejngkam?hl=en
Futurepedia. (n.d.). WePik AI Reviews: Use cases, Pricing & Alternatives. Futurepedia. https://www.futurepedia.io/tool/wepik
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
OpenDyslexic. (n.d.). https://opendyslexic.org/about
WePik | free graphic design editor & online templates. (n.d.). https://wepik.com/ai-presentations#how-it-work
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