Blog C

Universal Design for learning is a way to teach students of all learning levels. All teachers should be exposed to UDL tools and the purpose behind it. Seeing all the tools available in the Kalikow Center opened my eyes to the possibilities for students to have manipulatives and other tools too help them learn. I had no idea there were so many options out there, I would not have even known where to begin to look for any of those tools either. I would have been completely overwhelmed if I had tried on my own.
Teachers are responsible for making sure all of their students are succeeding at all things. With out the proper knowledge of how to teach to all learning types, teachers are not able to do their jobs properly. Starting to search for tools to help your struggling students is a daunting task, but if every future teacher were exposed to ways to find assistive technology while still in school it would be so much easier.
In my own classroom, I would use the Start to Finish Books, board makers, and Tango, if I had a student who needed it. The fraction stackers are also a good way to help students with their fraction conversions and the breakdown of a whole. I found a website with many options of communication devices (see website below). The Tango is something that I would ever have thought of even looking for if I had an autistic, or mute, student in my classroom.
The Start to Finish Books will help slower or below grade level readers feel better about themselves as readers. By having the books on tape and cd, students can follow along with the book and retain information from the text. They also would be helpful if there were a blind student in the class and there were no brail books or the student did not know how to read brail.
The board maker would work wonderfully for students who do not read well and have to make an oral presentation. The student could make picture cues for their oral presentation. It would also be a good tool to create a schedule for students who have not learned to read yet. Kindergarten and early first grade students could use board maker to make stories about themselves as well.
Tango would be a great tool for a student with speech difficulties. It is very user friendly, but in order for the student to successfully use this device, the student would have to be able to read or at least have some knowledge or words. Unfortunately, this device is very expensive and probably would not be in classrooms unless the students family was able to purchase it for their child.
Section 508 says that all federal agencies have to make their products and information accessible to those with disabilities. It is an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act. All employers are required to have accommodations for disabled employees, so that they can have the same opportunities as everyone else.

http://www.assistivetech.com/prod-hardw-index.htm