Amanda Baggs starts the video by speaking her "native language". Initially my naivety assumed she was creating sound, however later in the video she uses assistive technology to explain she was interacting with her environment and communicating. Amanda's use of assistive technology gives her a voice. Access to assistive technology breaks down barriers and educates others. She aids in eliminating assumptions and naivety. When she used assistive technology, something she stated was so enlightening and eye-opening. Baggs (2007) states, "I find it very interesting by the way that failure to learn your language is seen as a deficit but failure to learn my language is seen as so natural". Not learning how to interact and communicate with all individuals is our deficit. Especially when the resources to allow all individuals to communicate and express themselves is available. We need to eliminate any assumptions related to a persons inability to communicate and express their knowledge. We need to believe all people can communicate and all people can learn. We need to normalize diversity and provide/accept multiple means of representation.
When caregivers and educators display presumed competency and believe every person is capable regardless of their abilities and provide the means for expressing themselves, every person is given a voice. Every persons right to being heard is acknowledged and addressed.
For the second part of our class our instructor provided a presentation on "Accessibility" options on SMART products, such as iPads and iPhones. I use iPads in my classroom to support leaning and was unaware how I could make the iPads more adaptable to meet the needs of my students. In other words I did not use my iPads to their full potential and failed to fully promote Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in my classroom through the use of Assistive Technology. One of my favorite "Accessibility" features I learned about this class was "Guided Access". When "Guided Access" is enabled, students are "locked" into the chosen/selected iPad application. In my classroom this has been useful because while students are engaged in centers, I don't have to ensure the students on the iPads are doing what they were asked to do. Rather they are locked into the application and are unable to choose other applications. Click on the video below for steps on how to enable "Guided Access"
For the second part of our class our instructor provided a presentation on "Accessibility" options on SMART products, such as iPads and iPhones. I use iPads in my classroom to support leaning and was unaware how I could make the iPads more adaptable to meet the needs of my students. In other words I did not use my iPads to their full potential and failed to fully promote Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in my classroom through the use of Assistive Technology. One of my favorite "Accessibility" features I learned about this class was "Guided Access". When "Guided Access" is enabled, students are "locked" into the chosen/selected iPad application. In my classroom this has been useful because while students are engaged in centers, I don't have to ensure the students on the iPads are doing what they were asked to do. Rather they are locked into the application and are unable to choose other applications. Click on the video below for steps on how to enable "Guided Access"
Video showing the Steps to enable "Guided Access" on the iPad/iPhone.
The presentation on "Accessibility" also showed me how to active the "Speak Selection" option on iPads/iPhones. Some of my students struggle with reading therefore when they are using the iPads they can highlight the text they want read. Once highlighted students can click "Speak" and the selected text will be read to them. This Universal Design for learning option is activated by doing the following: 1) Clicking on "Settings" 2) Clicking on "Accessibility" 3) Enabling "Speak Selection".
Overall, this presentation on "Accessibility" truly demonstrated how we can support learning for ALL students. The tools are right at our fingertips and I look forward to learning more ways to support UDL in my classroom throughout this course.
YES Amy! let's normalize diversity. The iPad is the first step I believe. So exciting. Thanks for your indepth reflection and insights. So valuable to share.
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