UDL Editions take advantage of the flexibility of digital media to reach and engage all learners. Leveled supports and the Texthelp Toolbar balance challenge and support for each learner, ages 10 and up. Select your book to get started!
Why UDL?
The text-to-speech feature in UDL Editions is an excellent example providing options for visual information. Press "play" in the toolbar to hear the story read aloud. This feature not only benefits students who are blind or visually impaired, but students who are struggling readers or who are English Language Learners as well.
Readability is a simple tool that makes reading on the web more enjoyable by removing the clutter around what you're reading.
Why UDL?
Readability allows the user to customize the display of information by reducing visual distractions that surround written text on the web.
ESOL Online has a helpful list of strategies for activating prior knowledge that are useful for multilingual or monolingual classrooms.
Why UDL?
The strategies listed on the ESOL site, such as concept maps, KWL charts, and graphic organizers, are effective examples of ways to activate and supply students' background knowledge.
This interactive, educational website about our universe and planetary systems was created by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and is supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) among others.
Why UDL?
The glossary in "Windows to the Universe" is an excellent example of providing options that define vocabulary. Embedded links to the glossary give students immediate access to definitions of unfamiliar terms.
On this Doing What Works site, understand the research-based recommendation to teach vocabulary, watch videos on how actual schools are teaching vocabulary, and find a collection of tools and ideas to help you improve your practice.
Why UDL?
This site provides excellent examples as to how to support vocabulary development in the classroom.
Shahi is a visual dictionary that combines Wiktionary content that includes a definition and examples of word use in a sentence as well as images from flickr, google, and yahoo that correlate with the specified word.
Why UDL?
Shahi offers image cues as well as a text based definition to increase depth of vocabulary knowledge.
Visuwords is an online graphic dictionary and thesaurus that helps develop word knowledge. Word relationships are illustrated by the color and pattern of the link between words.
Why UDL?
Flexibility of color and contrast is a great example of customizing the display of information so that it is accessible to a broader range of users.
Quizlet is a lightning fast way to memorize vocabulary lists. It's like flashcards, but much more fun and interactive.
Why UDL?
Creating flash cards is a method to support memory and transfer through the process of creating a visual or textual reminder of information. This process is likely to be most effective when intentional strategies, such as using mnemonic devices are understood by students and developed though practice.
WatchKnow is a free, online video library with links to more than 11,000 videos in 2,000 categories including history, math, science and other subjects.
Why UDL?
Presenting ideas through video is another way in whcih key concepts can be illustrated non-linguistically.
Starfall is a free learn-to-read website. It contains various interactive activities and games related to the essential components of early reading. Primarily designed for first grade, Starfall is also useful for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and second grade.
Why UDL?
Designed for early readers, Starfall features activities and games that build decoding skills such as the pairing of sounds with letters and letter combinations.
Math Open Reference represents geometry concepts visually as a way to complement text definitions and descriptions.
Why UDL?
Math Open Reference is organized into pages that highlight the critical features of geometry concepts. Topics are separated to clarify distinct features. Critical terms are linked directly to a glossary so as not to hinder the viewer based on lack of vocabulary knowledge.
Use Webspiration to map out ideas, organize with outlines and collaborate online with teams or colleagues.
Why UDL?
Implementing Webspiration's array of visual thinking models into the classroom is an effective way to guide students' information processing.
The AutoSummarize feature in MS Word allows you to summarize a document and add visual structure.
Why UDL?
The AutoSummarize tool highlights the structural features of a document and is a great way to clarify structure to students.