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Framingham High School Special Education Department: __Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning Suggestions and Applications﻿ __

Hello! Welcome to the Framingham High School Special Education Department Wiki for Assistive Technology (AT) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Suggestions. I hope you will take some time to browse the selections incorporated here and use some of these suggestions for your classroom and your learners. Even more, I hope that should you use some AT and UDL applications in the classroom for all of your learners, that you will take the time to post a comment, send a note, and let me know of your students' successes.

Yours in learning, Arnold Lundwall FHS Special Education Team Chairperson email: alundwall@framingham.k12.ma.us

Before you dive in, you may have some questions...Well, here are some resources to peruse to get an idea of what UDL and what AT are all about. After you are finished perusing these links, feel free to hit the back button on your browser to come back to this page. UDL Info What is AT?

Also, an interesting perspective:

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Now that you've done some reading on UDL and AT, let's take a look at some valuable (and __**free**__ ) resources that you can use at Framingham High School.

**TO ASSIST WITH READING**

[|Natural Reader] This software converts text to speech from Word documents, emails, .pdf files, and even websites. This site has a free download and an area to try your own samples. There is even a floating toolbar to convert text to speech across Internet Explorer, Firefox, Outlook, MS Office. You can convert files and save it to an MP3 format to listen later. [|Simultaneous Stanza Reader] This free software works with Macs and reads and enlarges the text being read, too! [|Power Talk] This free software converts text to speech for PowerPoint presentations. [|Planet eBook] Free and pay-for services to download electronic versions of literary pieces common to the middle and high school experience.

**﻿TO ASSIST WITH WRITING** [|Dragon Dictation] This software allows iPhone or iPod Touch owners dictate emails, texting, and notes. [|Ghotit] An online spellchecker [|PaperRater] Free software that gives spelling, grammar, and stylistic changes and suggestions. It even detects possible plagiarism!
 * __﻿__**

**﻿TO ASSIST WITH MATH** [|EfoFex] Free prorgram for students with documented disabilities.

**GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS**

[|bubbl] A great resource to use webbing techniques while brainstorming. [|Wise Mapping] A free resource to download that allows for the visual learner to collaborate with others. [|Popplet] Social networking is embedded within a mapping tool. Very much like a collage. Gives the ability to embed many items and files as well as the ability toling to other maps and users [|Graphic Organizer Templates] Great for general education teachers...and MCAS Accommodations, all for free. [|Think Port] Another online graphic organizer template generator...free!

**STUDY SKILLS**

[|Recall Plus] Both free (lite version) and pay-for-software allows students to electronically enter information and then be *quizzed* to recall information for later assessments [|CueCard] E-flashcards with ability to import images and audio...quiz feature available. [|Head Magnet] Free online memorization tool.

THINGS TO EXPLORE

[|Shmoop]

HUMOR

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I hope you have enjoyed this brief introduction to Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning Options. With purpose, I kept the number of links short so as to not overwhelm. Should you wish to explore further I strongly recommend the following wiki and give great credit to Karen Janowski, who is an invaluable resource, instructor, and colleague:

UDL Toolkit