1. Provide options for Perception
1.1 Offer ways of customizing the display of information
Customizing display information can be so much easier when the content is online compared to textbooks/paper. Size of text, images and visual content can be enlarged on the screen, volume can be turned up or down, video or speech rate can be adjusted for the viewer, and lay out or font can be adjusted in a few simple steps. These changes can benefit all learners but specifically those with difficulty processing information in traditional methods. Beeline Reader is cognitively beneficial for readers providing a colour gradient to pull eyes through long blocks of text to maintain focus to avoid screen fatigue. For learners with Dyslexia there are many programs that will change the font of text online or convert via chrome extension. Font Converter for Dyslexia will convert text for free which can be printed for classroom use.
1.2 Offer alternatives for auditory information
Teachers can assist students with auditory processing difficulties by providing a method of captioning content. A video you create can be uploaded to youtube with a private URL and captions can be automatically generated. There are also many free online tools and apps that will caption videos free for accessibility. Amara is a free online service that provides high quality captions and can also translate the captions into other languages. Boardmaker is an accessibility app full of tools supported by speech pathologists for students with language and learning impairments. This app allows teachers to assign activities to students with personalized visual support and symbol adapted learning materials.
1.3 Offer alternatives for visual information
One really simple but effective way to make text more accessible for students is by providing a method for a student to convert text to speech. Natural Readers is a free service that converts text to speech. Text or documents can be uploaded and converted into an mp3 file to listen to anywhere, anytime. This program can even read text from scanned documents or images. Some of the great benefits are the natural and high quality voices this program has. Teachers can use their WebReader service to make their websites accessible for text to speech. Microsoft offers a feature that allows teachers to have real time subtitles while they are presenting that also has a translator option.
2. Provide options for Language & Symbols
2.1 Clarify vocabulary and symbols
Tools such as the online dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedia provide a more efficient way for teachers and students to define and understand words. Many devices like laptops and ipads have a built in tool to highlight and define words. Built in voice assistants like Siri or can also help answer questions.
2.2 Clarify syntax and structure
Snap and Read is a program that can be used to adjust the readability of text without changing the meaning. It has built in translation, outline/highlighting, annotating assistance, picture dictionary, screenshot reader, and readability analyzer.
2.3 Support decoding of text, mathematical notation, and symbols
All students deserve equal access to knowledge and the ability to decode should not be a barrier to understanding (unless decoding is the lesson). Barriers can be broken down by providing digital mathematical notation through tools like EquatIO. This program gives students choice when finding a way to show their understanding. They can speak, draw, or type equations using their devices and have math problems read back to them.
2.4 Promote understanding across languages
Google Translate has become an essential tool when traveling or learning a new language. The UDL states that teachers should provide electronic translation tools when needed. Google Translate currently offers 108 different language translations with a build in option to listen to text. As mentioned above (auditory alternatives), there are programs teachers can use to translate the captions of their videos.
2.5 Illustrate through multiple media
Classroom information is overwhelming text which makes it difficult for students who struggle with text and language related disabilities. It is important to provide alternatives such as illustrations, simulations, images or interactive graphics. There are many resources available to find graphics as well as create your own. User friendly programs like PowerPoint can be used for straightforward graphics or apps like Baazart can create graphics that greatly enhance information delivery. There are also great video lessons available on Youtube for all grade levels and subjects which can be integrated into lessons or provide further understanding and background knowledge. Websites like Pixel, Unsplash, and Free Music Archive can help educators find images, music, and videos that will not violate copyright.
3. Provide options for Comprehension
3.1 Activate or supply background knowledge
One way the UDL advises educators to support students is by connecting new information with background knowledge with concept maps. Websites like Miro are a great resource to create clear and colourful maps or flow charts for your students.
3.2 Highlight patterns, critical features, big ideas, and relationships
When creating graphics different colour and text can be used to highlight and emphasize important information. Graphics can also be altered on Powerpoint by cropping out unimportant points or adding shapes, colour/shading, or arrows to catch the viewers attention. The UDL discusses the importance of using outlines and organizers routinely to highlight these key points. One great way of doing this is by using a program like Inspiration which students can highlight the key ideas and create a box that when clicked on holds all their notes and handouts from that section of the unit. XMind is another great mind mapping tool.
3.3 Guide information processing and visualization
In this section many strategies are brought up discussing keeping focused and on task in processing information. There are learners who need structure and lessons to be scaffolded or given step by step. Google chrome offers extensions to help students stay on track. Just Read removes cluttered designs that can be distracting to students as well as ads, pop ups, and comments making it easier for students to focus on the content. Block Site students on track or can even help you stay on task. This extension allows you to create a list of websites that you are likely to procrastinate with and even shows a funny picture when you try to access them. By going in to focus mode these websites are temporarily blocked.
3.4 Maximize transfer and generalization
Students who struggle with organizing and outlining information can use programs where they “dump” information as they find it and the program helps them organize it later. Microsoft OneNote gives users the option to type fragments or words and search through all notebooks. Users can also add custom tags to highlight definitions or a recurring idea. These tags can be highlighted in a notebook or shown as a list in a separate document.
