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Assistive Technology Supports Build a

Universally Designed Early Education Classroom

Berni EsterAssistive Technology/AAC SpecialistForest Lake Schools

3/28/15

Goal of Education

Education should help turn novice learners into expert learners -individuals who want to learn, who know how to learn strategically, and who, in their own highly individual and flexible ways, are well prepared for a lifetime of learning.

Young children are more alike than different, but all

young children are different.

Differentiate Instruction

Use a proactive rather than

reactive approach

Use flexible grouping

Employ variable pacing

Be knowledge

based

Be learner centered

Vary materials and activities according to individual and small-group needs

Use Multi-sensory Materials

Consider the needs of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Plan activities and routines that allow for alternative ways of participating in tasks based on each child's way of attending, organizing information, interacting and understanding language. (Blagojevic, Twomey, Labas, 2007, p. 1)

Move the learning goals from:• abstractConcrete to

• complexSimple to

• to transformationalBasic

• more facets (steps)Fewer facets to

• greater leapsSmaller leaps to

• more openMore structured to

• independenceInterdependence to

• slower (more intense focus)Quicker to

Tomlinson -1995

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Employ Learning Strategies Adaptation

A change, addition or deletion that increases the fitness of its possessor.

Wikopedia

Application of Adaptations:

Modifications: Student adaptations that reduce the vigor of the work. (Require IEP/504)

Accommodations: Student adaptations that work toward ‘leveling the playing field’ without changing the vigor of the work.

Assistive Technology

Any item, piece of equipment or product system. . . that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (IDEA, 2004) (IEP/504)

Promotes greater independence for learners with disabilities by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with tasks that these learners were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing.

Universal Design

Emerged from "barrier-free" or "accessible design", which provided

a level of accessibility for people with disabilities, but often resulted in separate and stigmatizing solutions.

Strives, now, to be a broad-spectrum solution that helps everyone, not just

people with disabilities.

Principles of Universal Design

Equitable use

Flexibility in use

Simple and intuitive

Perceptible information

Tolerance for error

Low physical effort

Size and space for approach and use

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

(UDL) helps educators meet the goal of preparing young children

to be lifelong learners by providing a framework for creating curricula

that meets the needs of all learners from the start.

Universal Design for LearningPrinciples (UDL)

Multiple means of representation (Help learners identify and sort what they see, hear and touch)

Multiple means of expression (Provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know)

Multiple means of engagement (Tap into learners' interests, offer appropriate challenges, and increase motivation)

Engage Families

Include families in the planning and activities for their children

Consider the ways in which planned activities fit in with family preferences

and routines.

Foster collaboration with community partners

Build communication bridges between school and family to

share information and resources.

Embrace Multiple Cultures

Provide materials in multiple languages

Meet the needs of families from diverse backgrounds

Provide instruction in home language & English. Proficiency with the primary language promotes higher levels of achievement in English

Provide intensive oral English language development, especially explicit English vocabulary instruction.

Use story book reading, placingemphasis on vocabulary development(Collins, 2010; Lugo-Neris et. al., 2010)

Use instructional accommodations that take into account the child’s process of acquiring the second language.

Learning table: http://build.fpg.unc.edu/)

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Example UDL Lesson

Begin with a Story• Each month, read a story about a

community service location and helper.

• Include places/people of direct interest to the children in your classroom.

• Provide a Story Kit of 3D objects/high contrast visuals to support visually impaired students or those for whom the language of the story may be difficult to understand.

• Provide an interpreter/signed book for students with hearing impairments.

Favorite Character Visits the Community

• Drop Sponge Bob off at a different community service location once a month.

• Take a field trip or encourage families to visit him and interact with community helpers.

Document the Visit

• Take pictures/make videos of Sponge Bob and the children interacting with a special helper from each location. (Ask for parent volunteers to help!)

• Include culture specific locations and community helpers of different ethnicities who speak primary languages of children in class .

In Class Activities• Introduce a community helper from each

location (in person/video).

• Make class photo book/collage of the children’s adventures with Sponge Bob

• Use photo/tactile story guides and AAC to help children build, tell and ‘write’ a three-sentence story about each visit.

(Use sequencing, when possible.)

• Ask children to make drawings or recordings about live/video visits.

• Send copies of stories and drawings home for students to share. Use iPad screen shots for drawings done using apps.

Share It At Home!

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There’s an App for That!

[iOS/Android] (free)

Fingerpaint with Sounds

Kids Doodle –Movie Kids Color & Draw

• Multi-touch for multiple students

• Include a musical background• Save to photos

• Create glowing drawings and movies

• Gallery, Photo Import• Save to photos

Pair a Visually Impaired Student with a Seeing Student

• Draw, color, decorate with stickers, create animations and record.

• Save to photos

Draw and Tell$1.99iOS

There’s an App for That! iOS(photo/audio)

• Our Story for iPad (free) [Print, PDF, email, iTunes, Dropbox]

• StoryKit (free) (iOS/Android) [StoryKit server]

• Story Buddy Lite (free) [email, PDF, iTunes upload]

• Super Duper Story Maker (free) [email]

• StoryBook Maker ($2.99) [PDF]• Pictello ($14.99 iOS, $18.99

Android) [account, Dropbox, PDF]

There’s an App for That! (photo/audio/video)

• Book Creator ($4.99 iOS, $2.49 Android) [email, print, iTunes, PDF]

• Little Story Creator - Digital Scrapbooking & Photo Collage Maker (free iOS) [email]

• Story Creator (free iOS) [email]

• StoryMaker 1: Make Your Story (free Android) [email, favorite platforms]

What adaptations were made for:

• children whose primary language is not English?

• children who are deaf/hard of hearing?

• children who have physical disabilities?

• children who have low vision?

• children who are low/non-verbal?

• children with low cognition?

• children with autism?

Physical Environment

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Building Support Structures

• Station for individual or small group work time

• Stations for identified activities

1001 Uses for . . . colored tape!!

• Taped navigation guide

• Outlined areas for individual spaces.

Visual Supports for Organization

Identify desired storage areas in cubbies, toy containers, toy shelves and lockers with picture symbols

Seating• Chairs with

pommels provide physical support and ‘sitting reminder’

• Floor mats and seats identify individual seating places

Technologies

• SmartBoard/Interactive White Board

• SmartTable

• TabletsMovement

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MeMoves (patented system for co-regulation)

• MeMoves Children mirror images, movement and expressive features of emotion to background music.

• MeMoves Pattern Cards provide textured icons and are uniquely suited for those with low vision or specific sensory challenges

DVD ($59.95) and iOS App ($9.99)

(iOS)

*2

BrainDanceBrainDance: A series of exercises comprised of eight developmental movement patterns beneficial in reorganizing the central nervous system: Breath; Tactile; Core-Distal; Head-Tail; Upper-Lower; Body-Side; Cross-Lateral; Vestibular

Book ($50) CD ($30)

UDL and Early Literacy

Multiple Means of Representation

• Provide stories in primary language so children can be competent in understanding them in primary language before expecting understanding in second language.

• Support children who have visual/cognitive/language disabilities with 3-D symbol story supports (Story Box)

Multiple Means of Expression• Provide a voice-output switch

for low/non-verbal child to say a repeated line or request to turn a page

• Provide low/non-verbal child with a choice board to select a story

• Provide a book supported with picture symbols to a low/nonverbal child for retelling a story. *3

Multiple Means of Engagement:Cultural Plurality in Literacy

• Check the illustrations for broad range of human diversity (race, ethnicity, gender)

• Check the story line for persons of color or individuals with disabilities who are able to solve their own problems

• Consider the author's perspective. Are diverse cultural perspectives included?

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Multiple Means of EngagementBook selection

Select high-interest books accessible for all children. Include books with:

– high-contrast visual images;

– touch-and-feel books;

– “big‟ books;

– books with electronic sounds;

– stories with repeated lines; and

– books with thick cardboard pages

AT and Early Literacy

• Use page fluffers (tongue depressors, Velcro®, large paper clips)

• Re-bind favorite book to lay flat

• Use slant boards and large rubber band supports for book positioning

boy

*4

Provide Auditory Stories• Stories On-Line

(http://www.storylineonline.net/)

• MyOn (check libraries) https://www.myon.com/

• Tarheel Reader (http://tarheelreader.org/)

[Use red and green stickers on the ‘stop/play buttons’ of CD players.]

*5

“I see_____”

Provide Reading Comprehension Language

Supports

There’s an App for That!

• iPad Best of the Best – 50 Essential Children’s Book Apps (Part 1: Toddlers) -http://digitalmediadiet.com/?p=1645

• iPad Best of the Best – 25 Essential Children’s Books http://digitalmediadiet.com/?p=574

$2.99$4.99

[iOS/Android]

Interactive Book AppsBest interactive books for kids - iPad, iPhone, Android https://www.pinterest.com/appysmarts/best-interactive-books-for-kids-ipad-iphone-android/

Little CritterThe Trip

How I Became a Pirate $3.99 $.99

$2.99

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Story Apps in ASL

• Signed Stories: Animated stories with pop-up videos. Children learn signs through highly interactive stories.

iOS/Android(free) second book $.99

• Sign Me a Story: Best-selling children’s stories animated by ITV with narration, music and fun learning games in ASL. Has free book/vocabulary builder

iOS (free) books $.99 -$5.99*6

UDL and Math/Play/Creation

Play & Learn: A Motor-Based Preschool Curriculum for Children of All Abilities.

Ablenet

12-month preschool curriculum specifically developed for children of ALL abilities! ($560.00)

• Social Interaction• Structure & Repetition• Motivation• Music & Movement

Adaptive Toys• Blocks/balls with texture, sound and color

• Dress-up clothes with large openings and simple closures

• Scented craft materials of varying textures

• Magnetic blocks

Adapted Games/Toys

• Card holders

• Adapted dice (tactile or virtual)

• Knobbed puzzles /audio puzzles

• Magnetic games

Adapted Art

• Slant board

• Triangular Crayons

• Grips

• Paint stamps

• Easy grip brushes

• Adapted scissors

*7

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Switch Adapted Toys/CD Players

Virtual Play

Software:

• Switch It Jigsaw Maker - Inclusive Tech

• Senswitcher

• HelpKidsLearn

*8

Injini: Collection of learning games (puzzles, farm-themed mini-games, illustrations) for young children, especially toddlers and preschoolers with cognitive, language, and fine motor delays.

iOS: $29.99

iOS: free

There’s an App for That! Games

There’s an App for That!Dice and Spinners

• iChoose (free) (iOS)

• Dice (free) (Android)

*9

There’s an App for That! Switch Accessibility

• Switch Accessible Apps for iPad/iPhone –Non AAC: http://www.janefarrall.com/switch-accessible-apps-for-ipadiphone-non-aac/

• HelpKidzLearn iPad and Android Apps: http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/apps

• iPad & Android Apps from Inclusive Technology ($2.99): http://www.inclusivetlc.com/ipad/apps

• Guide to Switch Access for Android Lollipop:www.ablenetinc.com/Portals/0/KnowledgeBase/Manuals/Android_Lollipop_Switch_Access_Guide.pdf

Switch Access for Tablets

Ablenet Blue2™

iOS/Android ($179)

Provides access to compatible applications via Bluetooth wireless technology.

APPlicatoriOS ($165)

RJ Cooper Bluetooth Cordless Switch Interface iOS($114)

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Communication

Present Tangible Symbols• Object-level symbolic representation is

permanent, manipulable and obvious

• Types of tangible symbols:– Identical (Cheeto on card)

– Partial or Associated (strap – “bus seatbelt”)

– Created Association (star “change”)

*10

WHO benefits from the use of tangible symbols?

- blindness/low vision/CVI

- developmental disabilities

- Autism

- difficulty understanding 2D symbols

Students who have:

Why use tangible symbols?

• In schedule boxes;

• to gain/maintain access to preferred items and activities;

• to reject, escape or avoid non-preferred tasks

Move to 2D SymbolsGroup/Individual Schedules

Choice Making with 2D Symbols

*11

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Communicate Actively During Daily Routines

– “Is the bus here, yet?”

– “Please hang up my backpack/coat”.

– Give greetings.

– Announce attendance.

Use symbols to engage in communicative interaction

Play Activity: PODD

*12

Imaginative Play

There’s an App for That! Language• Tell Me About It! Learning Language

by Receptive Function, Feature & Category ($2.99) [iOS/Android]

• What Goes Together? [iOS/Android] ($1.99

• CleanUp: Category Sorting [iOS/Android] ($1.99)

• Hamaguchi Apps: (lang. development) [iOS]

http://www.hamaguchiapps.com/Reviews_of_our_Apps.html

There’s an App for That!AAC• Sounding Board (free)

[iOS/Android]

• AAC SpeechBuddy ($29.99) [iOS/Android]

• Proloquo2Go ($219.99) [iOS]

• TD Compass ($179.99) [iOS]

• Avez Pro [iOS: $149, Android: $99]

*14

Social-Emotional

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Visual Supports for Expected Rules

Visual Support for Describing Emotions/Loudness Level/Pace

Procedure for Asking Questions

Red and Green Choices

A Positive Behavioral Development Strategyfor Students with Autism or Behavioral Predispositions

http://www.redandgreenchoices.com/

(Green Irene)

There’s an App for That

Pre-School Readiness Skills

There’s an App for That! (Pre-School Skills)

• Eight Great Apps for Preschoolers: http://www.education.com/slideshow/ipad-apps-preschool/monkey-preschool/

• Top 10 Educational Apps for Pre-schoolers: http://www.icanteachmychild.com/the-10-best-iphoneipad-apps-for-preschoolers/

• 20 free Educational Apps for Pre-Schoolers: http://fun.familyeducation.com/mobile-apps/online-games/69665.html

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• EPIC Early Childhood Education Android Apps: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.epicnet.epic&hl=en

• Best Preschool Apps: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-preschool-apps

• Best Early Childhood Apps on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/appolearning/best-early-childhood-apps/

• 30 Of the Best Educational Android Apps for Kids: https://www.parentmap.com/article/20-educational-android-apps-for-kids

• Best Apps for Kids: http://bestappsforkids.com/category/apps-for-education/early-learning-apps/

I Hear Ewe

24 different authentic animal sounds and 12 different vehicle sounds. When a child taps on an animal or vehicle icon, the game will verbally announce the animal or vehicle it is and play a recording of its real sound. (English, Spanish, German or Chinese)

iOS(free)

Nighty Night

"Nighty Night!" Cute animals, sweet lullaby music and great narration. All around the house the lights go out, and in the barn, even the animals are tired. Children turn out the lights in the animal stalls.

Teaches fine motor (single finger point), cause and effect, visual discrimination, visual memory.

iOS: $2.99Android: $3.99 Toca Boca Doctor:

• Learning body parts

• Tapping

• Dragging[iOS/Android] ($2.99)

[iOS/Android] (free)

Good Night Safari:• Functional Skills• Imaginative Play• Early Literacy

Peekaboo Kids Barn:

• Names of animals

• Animal sounds

[iOS] ($.99)

[iOS/Android] ($1.99)

Splish Splash Inn:• Cause and Effect• One-to-One Correspondence• English, French and Spanish*15

Communication Bridge with Parents

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My Child – Daily Reports• One-touch portfolios and

instant daily sheets features are faster than paper and save significant time for teachers

• Teachers connect activities, portfolio pictures and notes to child’s unique learning standards

• Cost for organization

http://website.mychildnow.com/

iOS/Android(free)

TS Gold• Online tool for gathering/organizing

data

• Online developmental portfolios where children’s work can be stored

• Free app for showing families their child’s progress

• Print reports

http://shop.teachingstrategies.com/page/GOLD-assessment-online.cfm)

iOS/Android

Tots ‘n Tech Newsletters

• Using AT to promote literacy with Infants and toddlers

• Using Visual Supports with Infants and Toddlers

• Powered Mobility with Infants and Toddlers

• More on the iPad

• SmartTables

http://tnt.asu.edu/home/news