1.  Download one of the apps:  Voice Dream Reader, Explain Everything, Inspiration Maps, or choose another app/site that interests you, and spend some time exploring the interface and capabilities of the app/site. Next, reflect on how the app would work for the students you currently teach: are there some students for whom the app would not work? What would need to be improved in the app to make it work for those students? How would you ensure students used the app to become resourceful, knowledgeable learners? Share your reflection using one of the tools you have discovered in this course (interactive image, video and so on), in a way that models multiple means of representation.

 

2. Use the UDL Book Builder or an app such as Book Creator or iBook Creator to create a resource for your students that demonstrates the UDL principle of multiple means of representation. If possible, have your students explore the resource and share some of their feedback in your post. What would you do to make the resource more accessible based on your student’s feedback?

 

3. Choose an article or book students need to access and find or create options for representation. Create an image, chart or blog with links that explain the tools you used/found to create multiple means of representation. For inspiration explore Kids Health (and Teen Health) for a good example of providing “multiple means”. To help you create more accessible materials, this article from the University of Edinburgh provides a comprehensive review.

 

4. Create an Open Education Resource (OER): This could be a blog, webpage, video, PDF, Infographic, Twitter post, ThinkLink, Prezi, etc. for parents or students, providing a basic overview of Representation and then outlining suggestions for online tools to stock their UDL toolkit for their child (and themselves). In communicating the information, make sure to model the principle of multiple means of representation as a way to make the information more accessible to the parents and students. Keep the tools simple, straightforward  and practical by focusing on  “use now” activities and apps. Suggested resources/sites to explore are the UDL Toolkit, Betsy's ScoopIt! account, the UDL Placemat, UDL Resource, SETT BC as well as the Week 2 page on this site.

 

5. Open choice  - If there is an aspect of UDL that you want to learn more about or research more deeply, or you have a great idea of how you want to share what you learned, please email us at sooc4learning@gmail.com to discuss your idea. For example, find 1 or 2 resources/tools used in your setting and examine it for barriers. Then create a poster, website, presentation or video to explore the limitations of the tools or resource and how it can be made more accessible through technology supports and/or multiple means of representation. 

 

Commenting on Posts

 

Commenting on others' work requires openness and trust. The goal of providing peer feedback to one or more participants is to encourage active participation in the community, support your understanding or UDL and help others reflect on their learning. It is not intended to fuction as evaluative or as assessment. The following questions will help guide your feedback. Consider including:

 

• How their post reflects the UDL principles or specific guidelines

• What insights you gained and/or what was confirmed for you

• What challenged your assumptions and beliefs

• How you will use the information, resource or tool in your own practice

• How you might change or alter the tasks for your own use

• Questions you had about their task or the resource they posted

• Additional examples that support what they discovered/created

• Additional links or tools

• Experiences you've had that might support their next steps