BC UDL

Great list put together by Paul Hamilton for apps that support reading and writing. Also click to the main website to see apps that support multiple means of representation, expression, engagement.

Sky's disabilities don't stop him from doing what he loves. Sky Mundell is a young jazz pianist who is totally blind, severely deaf, has cerebral palsy and brain damage that results in some autism like behaviors. He entered the Vancouver Island's Got Talent contest (VIGT) and was declared the winner from 84 contestants. He learns a song just by listening to it once or twice and can then play it. Despite being severely deaf he has perfect pitch. I first met Sky at CNIB summer camp and still play a CD he made of himself singing songs from the 40's. Such an honour to know this young man.

Nice description and photos of how one teacher is using the Picture Word Induction Method in her primary classroom. PWIM posters have long been used in my district and a few teachers are beginning to use them on a SMARTBoard but I haven't seen anything written up.

Great article by Ian Jukes. See page 21 for research showing clearly why we need to be using visual methods with the current generation.

Post by Kelly Tenkley includes the story of a doctor who is prescribing ADHD medications to any children who are struggling academically. He feels he has no choice as society has decided it's too expensive to modify the learning environment so we have to modify the kids. The comedic take on this is hilarious but also sadly true.

Daily listing of free apps

Apps list for young users. Also available as a free app.

Powerful inquiry-type activity that lends itself naturally to differentiation as students can participate in a variety of levels.

Great information about popular instructional strategies.

Experience what it's like to have a learning disability. PBS website contains great information and simulations of various kinds of learning disabilities.

One of my favourite TED talks...how marketers learned not to create the perfect Pepsi but the perfect Pepsis.

Very concise summary of 6 elements of design for a great presentation summarized from Daniel Pink's book. In presenting about UDL we need to be sure we are presenting in a UDL friendly manner.

Website dedicate to real-world applications of math. Just brilliant!

Great book by David Livingstone staff with many examples of how they are using SBs in their classrooms. (2nd year of the UDL project!).

Fixes missing audio plug-in error in Kurzweil 3000

French 7 consists of 4 Modules divided into 11 sections. Each section has 10 daily lessons, approximately 30 minutes each in length. It is important to work through Modules 1, 2, and 3 in this order since concepts build on each other. However Module 4 can be inserted at appropriate times of the year. For example, La cabane à sucre can be completed in March or April. Most school years consist of 200 days. Notice that there are only 110 days of work. The remaining 90 days are to be used to play games and practice what is being taught. Module One: School Module Two: People Around Me Module Three: Weather Module Four: Holidays and Celebration

French 7 consists of 4 Modules divided into 11 sections. Each section has 10 daily lessons, approximately 30 minutes each in length. It is important to work through Modules 1, 2, and 3 in this order since concepts build on each other. However Module 4 can be inserted at appropriate times of the year. For example, La cabane à sucre can be completed in March or April. Most school years consist of 200 days. Notice that there are only 110 days of work. The remaining 90 days are to be used to play games and practice what is being taught. Module One: School Module Two: People Around Me Module Three: Weather Module Four: Holidays and Celebration

This is a great reading app. It can import text in many formats ( great with Dropbox) and even read PPT and Keynote presentations. You can change the size of text. Hold on a word to see its definition (doesn't read the definition). Hold on a word then select text to create highlights, bookmarks, and notes. These appear in a separate list which, when accessed, takes you back to the original spot in the text and begins reading from that point. Great voices. This is one of the better reading apps I've found...just wish the definitions would read and the highlighted text would actually highlight instead of ending up in a different location. $9.99

At this ISTE sponsored site, teachers upload reviews of apps they are finding useful.

Free app from CanAssist lets you add photos, video, and voice to create reminders and/or schedules, lists.

Fantastic video by Tod Rose at Harvard describing how designing for average designs for no one. Uses an example from the Air Force and applies it to education.