Home MembershipSpecial Interest GroupsSIG NewsletterArchives2008 October

Resource Corner

Resources from the SETSIG Executive Board:  Technology Supports for Diverse Learners

by the SETSIG Executive Board

Teachers everywhere are recognizing that their students are more diverse than ever. Slowly, we are recognizing that "one-size-does-not-fit" the needs of diverse learners. This means we must move beyond the use of instructional planning models and instructional materials that only offer a single access point.

Universal design for learning (UDL) is a powerful way to think about planning instructional environments and instructional materials that will meet the needs of diverse learners.

Learn More About the Potential of UDL

Below are some excellent resources that provide teachers and staff with an introduction to UDL and help educators understand why technology is a critical solution for addressing the academic needs of diverse learners.

Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/

A free online e-book provides an introduction to the theory of universal design for learning. This book is required reading for anyone interested in the potential and power of UDL.

Using Technology to Support Diverse Learners
http://www.wested.org/cs/tdl/print/docs/tdl/home.htm

This interactive web site is very useful for self-directed learning or in interactive workshops. Users can explore the principles and practices of UDL to understand how technology can support the academic success of diverse learners.

New UDL Resources for the Classroom

Perhaps you are already committed to the idea of planning for diverse learners. Then, you may be ready for practical classroom instructional resources that utilize UDL principles. Here are two new resources that will support every classroom.

UDL Editions
http://udleditions.cast.org/

The UDL Editions by CAST (http://udleditions.cast.org) render classic texts from world literature in a flexible online interface that provides just-in-time, individualized supports for struggling readers, and added-value features that engage novice and expert readers alike. Texts include English language works by Jack London (Call of the Wild), Shakespeare, Abraham Lincoln ("The Gettysburg Address"), and Edgar Allen Poe ("The Tell-Tale Heart"), as well as the Spanish-language classic, The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes. Learning features include:

• Leveled supports to build reading strategies and help readers understand the elements of the author's craft;
• Texthelp Toolbar for text-to-speech, highlighting and collecting highlights, dictionary and encyclopedia links, and translation between English and Spanish;
• Context-specific multimedia glossaries and enrichment activities;
• Multimedia background resources, including story links to Google Maps.

EdTech Solutions: Teaching Every Student Blog
http://teachingeverystudent.blogspot.com/

This blog provides up-to-date resources, strategies, and tools about applying UDL concepts in the classroom. A wonderful source of inspiration for helping teachers and students.

Top 10 Ed Tech Blogs for October 2008

1. http://weblogg-ed.com//
2. http://www.teach42.com/
3. http://www.tommarch.com/ozblog/
4. http://www.henryjenkins.org/
5. http://www.storyofmysecondlife.com/
6. http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/
7. http://practicaltheory.org/serendipity/
8. http://chalkdust101.wordpress.com/
9. http://khokanson.blogspot.com/
10. http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/