Fourth Class: Webinar Presentations

This evening our class consisted of presentations related to different webinars associated with apps supporting Universal Design for Learning. The purpose of this post is to reflect on the presentations and express highlights from the presentations.

The first presentation was titled, New Apps for Learning Disabilities. This group started the presentation by defining learning disabilities and explaining how this disability affects reading, writing and organization areas. Next, the group introduced a variety of apps supporting learning disabilities. One app which I am excited to

incorporate into my classroom is the FREE app iBooks. This is virtual library and will enhance students engagement with regards to reading. Students have the ability to choose a virtual book related to personal interests and appropriate reading level. Another app thoroughly discussed int this presentation is Book Creator. This app supports individuals with written language expression and organization by allowing individuals to create ebooks using text, graphics, and audio. Furthermore, individuals can publish the books they create onto iBooks. This is a great tool for formative/summative assessment because it fosters multitude means for representing knowledge and understanding. What a great tool educators can use to incorporate differentiation and Universal Design for Learning.

A highlight from the Apps for students with Autism presentation was the "Sing 4 Me" app. This app includes a full-body avatar providing sign language instruction in 3D! This app is so innovative because it provides individuals with non-verbal communication skills the ability to communicate without a sign-language translator. This tool defiantly supports Presumed Competency. Why? Individuals who have non-verbal communication skills need and should be provided with access to learning and a means for representing their knowledge and understanding. We as educators have a responsibility to recognize the needs of the individuals, who we encounter throughout our profession, believe they are capable of learning and provide them with necessary tools to support their success. Is there any reason to say, “I can’t teach this person”, or “This person can’t learn”. The answer is simple, absolutely not! The tools are available and the tools need to be used.

The next presentation was related to Apps for students with Learning Disabilities. A common theme articulated throughout the introduction of this presentation was advocacy. One of the presenters indicated the importance of giving our students the skills to advocate for themselves. In addition to providing students with access to tools supporting their individual learning disabilities, we need to provide them with the skills to advocate. One teacher may provide them with the tools necessary to make learning accessible however another teacher may not offer similar tools supporting Universal Design for Learning. Students need to learn how to advocate for themselves and ask for the tools they have previously used to support their learning. Thank you for bringing about this awareness! Overall, how do we ensure the students we encounter are provided with the tools necessary to support lifelong learning?  We show them the tools, allow them to use the tools, and teach them the skills to advocate.

Another presentation offered tonight was associated with Apps for Executive Functioning. I enjoyed the beginning of this presentation because it clarified the term “executive functioning”.  Thinking, planning, and prioritizing are associated with executive functioning and several apps were discussed to support these abilities. One of my favorite apps introduced in this presentation was the Sock Puppet app. Sock Puppets lets you create your own lip-synched videos and share them on Facebook and YouTube. Add Puppets, props, scenery, and backgrounds and start creating. Hit the record button and the puppets automatically lip-synch to your voice. This app would be excellent for my all of my Severe Emotional and Behavioral students because they often struggle with expressing their feelings and/or emotions. Providing a student with a virtual sock puppet to articulate their emotions may aid in supporting their ability and/or willingness to effectively communicate their frustrations. Also, what a great way to allow a student to present their knowledge! A new form of assessment I will defiantly incorporate into my classroom.

The final presentation of this evening was also related to the Apps for students with Learning Disabilities webinar discussed previously. A highlight from this presentation was the TED talk we were asked to watch. Please click on the video to view an inspirational, engaging, authentic, and educational TED talk related to learning disabilities and in particular, Dyslexia. This video truly promotes empathy and understanding. Hearing an individual speak about their challenges and struggles with a learning disability would be beneficial for administrators, educators, parent(s)/guardian(s) and students. Awareness and understanding supports the possibility of change. If this video encourages one educator to modify their approach when working with students with disabilities, what a powerful tool.

Overall, this evening was filled with authentic, meaningful and useful tools to support Universal Design for Learning. A component of our presentations was to design and facilitate a survey related to mobile use among our colleagues. One alarming aspect indicated throughout the evening was the lack of accessibility to mobile devices within the schools. Some of the reasons for lack of mobile devices are associated with funding. How can we put a cost on Universal Design for Learning? Why isn't their enough funding available to ensure every individual is provided with the tools to support the way they learn? Why do the individuals who have power and privilege fail to recognize the importance and value of Universal Design for Learning? When will all people have access to learning. Isn't that what we want our education system to be?

What an awesome course so far! I continue to learn about so many tools I can use in my classroom. It is so great to be part of a course that is authentic and meaningful to my teaching.