Meeting the Needs of

Our Students

Integration of Information &

Communication Technology

Differentiation
Technology can be an invaluable tool
for effectively differentiating for the
wide variety of learners in our
classrooms, including those with
Special Needs.
One important way that technology
assists in differentiation is that it can
provide our students with the tools
that they need in order to overcome the obstacles that make it challenging for
them to participate fully in the learning. We can use technology to
differentiate of how learning is acquired (the process) and/or how learning is
demonstrate (the process of communicating their learning or the product that
is created to demonstrate their learning.
There are numerous programs that can assist students with communication
difficulties such as text to speech and speech to text software. Programs such
as Google Read and Write and Kurzweil allow students visual impairments or
difficulty decoding or
comprehending written text to
access content. Speech recognition
Software such as Dragon Naturally
Speaking provide students with the
opportunity to record their
thoughts. Software that enables
students to overcome
communication obstacles can be
extremely empowering as it is
giving students a voice that might
not otherwise be heard.

How students demonstrate and showcase their learning is another important

aspect of differentiation. There are a plethora of software and applications for
computer and mobile to give students a wide variety of options for presenting
their learning in a format that best suits their ability and learning style
preferences. As an alternative to presentations, software is available for
assisting students to demonstrate their learning through creation of cartoons,
videos, websites, online books, posters, infographics...the list is endless.

Read more about how to

differentiate using
technology:
http://www.learnnc.org/
lp/editions/everylearner/6776
http://www.learnnc.org/
lp/multimedia/19120
http://
www.snow.idrc.ocad.ca/
node/226

infographic above from:

https://tools4sucessnotes.wikispaces.com/Differentiating+Instruction+Using+Technology

Universal Design
Disability is defined in the
interaction between the
vulnerabilities of an individual
and the limitations of their
environment Jon Mundorf
For people without
disabilities, technology makes
things easier. For people
without disabilities,
technology makes things
possible. Pat Radabaugh

The principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) require teachers to

frame their instruction, activities, and the physical space of the classroom in
order to maximize the safety, learning , and inclusion of all learners. At first
glance, the universal in UDL might imply that the principles of UDL are in
conflict with differentiation with its emphasis on the unique needs of
individual learners. However, a key principal of UDL is that we employ
flexibility when planning our environments,and our methods of conveying
and collecting information (instruction and assessment) in order to
accommodate and meet the needs of all of our learners.
Effective technology aligns with principles of universal design for learning (UDL) and
provides multiple means of:
representation gives learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge
engagementtaps into learners interests, offers appropriate challenges and increases
motivation.
expressionprovides learners with alternatives for demonstrating what they know.
(page 88 Making a Difference:meeting diverse learning needs with differentiated
instruction Government of Alberta )
For more information see Chapter 7: Leveraging Technology page 87-104
https://education.alberta.ca/media/1234045/makingadifference_2010.pdf

One example of how technology can be used to assist to fulfill the principles of
Universal Design for Learning in the classroom is the use of software that can
make our lessons interactive: whether it be an Interactive Whiteboard such as
manufactured by Smart technologies or programs such as Educreations that
can create and record interactive lessons using an iPad or other tablet. These
programs allow us to create lessons that incorporate multi-media and to
communicate information in more than one form in order to meet diverse
student needs. They can also be shared with students to provide a tool for
review on their own time.

Mathematics
Mathematics can pose its own challenges for many students, including those
with special needs. Teachers can leverage technology to help learners
acquire skills and understanding of important concepts. Manipulatives have
long been reocgnized as important tools for helping students to develop
understanding of abstract concepts using concrete materials. Technology now
allows us to use virtual manipulatives which have all the benefits of the
traditional hands-on versions with the added bonus of having an unlimited
number and variety of manipulatives available to students at home and at
school.
Below are a few sites to check out followed by a focused description of two
very different but equally effective tools that teachers can incorporate into
the math classroom:
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
https://illuminations.nctm.org/
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/
http://www.mathplayground.com/math_manipulatives.html

FOCUS ON CLIPS
Critical Learning Instructional Pathway Support
CLIPS provide interactive lessons, activities, games
and assessments organized around key math
concepts referred to as clusters (see shot below
taken directly from CLIPS). Each cluster has
interactive lessons, activities, games, and even
assessments.
Lessons and activities
are sequenced
developmentally and
scaffolded in a number
of ways making them
suitable for a variety of
learners.
Activities can be replayed
and paused easily. As well,
several tools are easily
accessible including an
option to photograph the
page that is being worked
on so that it can be
integrated into other
lessons are shared through different media. Electronic tools can also be
accessed from within the activities.
You can find a wealth of information about CLIPS, required technology and
software to use it as well as support such as a virtual tour and pdf tip sheet on
the Edugains website: http://www.edugains.ca/newsite/math/clips.html

FOCUS ON KHAN ACADEMY

Most people are held back not by their innate
ability, but by their mindset. They think intelligence
is fixed, but it isnt. Your brain is like a muscle. The
more you use it and struggle, the more it
grows.New research shows we can take control of
our ability to learn. We can all become better
learners. We just need to build our brains in the
right way. from Khan Acadamey website
https://www.khanacademy.org/

Khan academy is a free online educational program for learners from pre-school to
university. It has thousands of video lectures, on extensive topics, for all grades and
levels of learners along with related activities where learners can test their
understanding. Khan academy is suitable for all students but has many benefits for
special needs students, including the ability to work at their own level and pace, pause
and replay videos, and receive hints.
Khan academy adapts itself to the current level of readiness for each learner. Students
create accounts and complete a very brief pre-test to determine a starting point or
mission. As they work through activities the program will adjust and recommend
new videos or activities. Teachers and parents can sign up for an account as well asn
can be linked to the students account as a coach. This allows them to monitor
students progress, identify areas where they are struggling and provide suggested
topics or activities.

See video growth mindset video created by khan academy:

https://www.khanacademy.org/youcanlearnanything

ORGANIZATION

Programs and applications that can help are students stay organized are
another example of assistive technology that is good for all but necessary for
some. Students with executive functioning disabilities in particular will
benefit from assistance in organizing, monitoring, and regulating their time.
There apps that can create schedules in list or visual format and can provide
subltle reminders. One great feature of these is that they can provide
continuity between home and school and can provide the students with a
greater level of independence.

https://www.graphite.org/blog/9-best-apps-and-sites-to-improve-executivefunction
http://www.smartappsforspecialneeds.com/2013/12/why-cant-you-bemore-organized-10-apps.html

Resources for Teachers

Print Resources
Learning for All: A Guide to Effective Instruction and Assessment for All
Students, Kindergarten to Grade 12
Capacity Building Series K-12 #41: Literacy for a Connected World
What Works: Research into Practice: Assistive Technology Tools
Web Resourses
Edugains Site: Technology and Teaching Tools
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/6917?ref=search
http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-young-children-specialeducation
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/film-festival-assistive-technology
http://www.teachspeced.ca/assistive-technology
http://ldatschool.ca/technology/information-tools-and-resources/
http://www.snow.idrc.ocad.ca/ (thanks Michael)
Assitive Technology Data Bases
https://osapac.ca/ccpalo/dlr/
http://techmatrix.org/
http://www.ctdinstitute.org/library
http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2009/09/07/100-useful-tools-for-specialneeds-students-educators/
Recommended Blogs to Follow
http://atclassroom.blogspot.ca/
https://www.teachontario.ca/community/explore/teacher-blogs/blog/
2015/10/14/special-education-resource-blogger
Find more Blogs:
http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2012/08/50-best-blogs-special-edteachers-updated/