Distance Learning and Students With Documented Needs
Distance Learning and Students With Documented Needs
The most popular accommodation teachers and co-teachers use with students in a remote setting is having a Google Meet one-on-one. Here are a few suggestions to keep the Meet helpful and efficient:
Ask the student to share their screen with you. Instead of you sharing your screen, they can control and drive the learning - this will keep the student active and engaged because they are the one doing the work.
Give directions and cues to coach students when necessary - Let the student try to find or figure it out before you tell them.
Work on a collaborative document (like a Google Doc or Google Slide) - you can make edits or comments directly on the document that they can see in real-time
Differentiate Google Classroom Assignments
When it comes to differentiating work for students, Google Classroom is a powerful tool with the ability to post work to individuals or groups of students.
How?
1. Post one assignment for the majority of the class.
2. Click the “reuse post” button and post the same work again for the students needing the differentiated assignment.
3. Edit the instructions or adapt the assignment in whatever way to meet their individual needs.
Doing this makes it quick and easy to ensure that students are getting the appropriate amount of work or scaffolding to help them succeed.
Device-Specific Accessibility Tools
The Chromebook has many built-in accessibility tools available to help all learners with their specific needs.
For example, the accessibility menu on the dashboard will allow the user to enlarge their mouse, use dictation tools, high-contrast screens, and magnifiers.
Speech to Text
A dictation feature is built-in to many devices that will allow you to dictate and insert the text.
There is also a speech-to-text feature built right into Google Docs. Simply click “tools” and “voice typing” in a Google Doc, and you will see a microphone icon. Below that is a dropdown menu to select the language in which you plan to dictate.
Closed Captions
Closed Captions are a great option for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, English Language Learners, and students who are easily distracted.
Both Google Slides and Google Meet have a closed caption feature that can be turned on or off. Google’s same speech-to-text tools will do its best to capture the language from the lesson at the top or bottom of the screen.
Read & Write Extension
Read & Write Chrome extension has been added to WCS devices. It does a number of things for students struggling with their literacy - including text-to-speech and speech-to-text, picture dictionaries, word prediction, annotation tools, voice notes, and page-declutter.
Declutter & Distraction Extensions
Other Chrome extensions such as Adblock and Print Friendly PDF will help eliminate ad banners and other distracting clutter from a webpage so your easily-distracted-students can remain focused on the task.
Visibility Tools
There are usually some great visibility tools built into Chromebooks such as screen magnifiers, and high-contrast mode, but you also might consider using a color contrast checker when you are designing your lessons.
A tool like WebAIM can be used to ensure any students with visual impairments (including colorblindness) are able to clearly see color distinctions in your lesson. It will allow you to do a quick check of the compatibility of the colors you are planning to use, and it will even distinguish between compatibility with different font types and sizes.
English Language Learners
If there is a language barrier between you and your student and/or parents, consider the use of these tools to keep these students engaged: