EC

Resources for EC teachers

Universal design is an approach to designing environments and products so they can be used by the widest range of users without adaptation (Center for Universal Design, 1997).

While the concept of universal design emerged from the field of architecture, educators have begun to apply the concepts in classrooms to ensure that instructional practices, materials, and educational environments meet the wide range of students' needs. Basically, universal design in education ensures that instructional materials and practices accommodate the needs of diverse students.

 Adobe Reader has a read aloud function that will read paragraphs, pages or whole pdfs.

Kindle for Macs or PC. Can be used without the Kindle device. Allows students to highlight, take notes, and leave bookmarks; has a built-in dictionary; full screen reading view, color modes, and brightness controls; and has many free books available.
 * Kindle **


 * Other Options for Accessible Inputs **

Anki Makes remembering things easier using distributed practice flashcards. Anki lets you study on your own computer, online, on your cell phone or other portable devices like an iPod touch.
 * Anki **

A I Type A I Type is a word prediction software that allows users to type faster and with better accuracy. Great for those with limited fine motor skills, poor spelling, or those who are reluctant to write.

Audacity Audacity is a free software for recording and editing sounds, available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, and Linux.

Primary Access Primary Access ([|primaryaccess.org]—student view, [|primaryaccess.org/teacher]—teacher view). Primary Access is an online utility. It is a tool that allows students to create digital documentaries in which the images. Students then create their own printed narrative, and finalize the creation of their digital documentary by adding a voice narrative. Primary Access is a highly scaffolded method of teaching because it combines many literacy skills with technology skills and content knowledge (it exemplifies TPACK).

<span style="color: #ef0b0b; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">School Tube <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.5;">School Tube is a free video sharing site. This is an example of how one school reinforced appropriate behavior.

<span style="color: #ef0b0b; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Think Quest <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">ThinkQuest is similar to WebQuest but with some major differences. The first difference is that WebQuest is teacher created, and in ThinkQuest students create the inquiry projects for other students. ThinkQuest focuses on creativity, collaboration and cross cultural participation. Both are project based learning. ThinkQuest offers two major competitions; one for best website design, one for best narrative. There are also local competitions. ThinkQuest provides scaffolding to support the development of technology skills with content knowledge that fosters collaboration, and inquiry-based learning.