Tools for Engagement
several young students with their hands raised
Welcome back! We are excited about the 2018-2019 school year! In particular, continuing to work with you in supporting the design and implementation of universal instruction; learning-rich curriculum and instruction that enables all learners to become proficient with grade level standards.

Tier 1 is where universal instruction starts. This is where all our programs and services come together as flexible and adaptable learning experiences to meet the diverse needs of all learners. Providing content area technology tools can reduce barriers to student academic engagement by increasing the support and confidence, "I Can", needed to become proficient with grade level standards.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

3 by 3 grid showing with 3 options each for options for engagement_ options for representation_ and options for action and expression
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of three principles that provides a framework for curriculum development, lesson planning, and classroom instruction in a flexible and adaptive manner that can quickly adapt to the diverse learning needs of students and provides equal opportunities for all students to learn. 


Check out some of our new resources on UDL!

Components of Universal Instruction - Graphic organizer depicting the relationships between a Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS), UDL, Differentiated Instruction, and Specially Designed Instruction.

UDL Principles - Interactive online module exploring the three principles of UDL, resources, and implementation ideas.

UDL Ideas - Interactive website with ideas on how to enhance instruction and assessment by incorporating the principles of Universal Design for Learning. Based on the Maryland UDL Wheel.

ICEL and UDL Principles -  Interactive site with ideas and information on designing universal instruction in the domains of instruction, curriculum, the environment, and the learner. You can download a printable version here.
Reading

girl sitting in front of a laptop and stack of books giving the okay sign
Text-to-speech tools provided during core ELA, math, social studies, and science instruction, can increase academic engagement, improve reading skills, boost comprehension, and positively affect academic achievement. 

Experience It: Reading Issues -  Interactive simulation to foster understanding of a learner's day-to-day experience struggling with reading.

screen shot that shows a sentence with jumbled letters and a cipher key

Adventures in Reading -  Online module that focuses on strategies to support reading comprehension and emphasizes classroom implementation. Includes learner focused implementation activities.

Accommodating Students with Dyslexia - Overview of the symptoms and prevalence of Dyslexia. Includes suggested accommodations as well as supporting resources.

cipher key followed by a nonsensical sentence

Tutorials for the following programs can be found in our  Reading & Study Digital Tools v. 2 featured below.

Natural Reader -  Online text-to-speech tool that supports PDF, Docx, RTF, and TXT formats. Includes a Web Reader tool that transforms internet pages to speakable, clutter free, text only formats.

screen shot of the natural reader toolbar

Read&Write  - Cross-platform reading and writing toolbar that includes text-to-speech, speech-to-text, picture and word dictionaries, word prediction, highlighting, text summarizer, and voice notes.

screen shot of the read and write toolbar

Snap & Read - Reading tool that includes text-to-speech, translation, dynamic text leveling, and note-taking tools.
Math

students measuring each other in front of a chalkboard
Technology tools  allow learners to simplify tasks and spend more time on understanding concepts and solving problems. In math, glossaries, tutorials, calculators, or other resources serve as scaffolds for lost or deficient math skills in related topics, thus allowing learners to focus their time on grade-level standards.

Mathematics and Mathematics Interventions - A collection of resources and toolkits from the Middle School Matters Institute including conceptual understanding, explicit and systematic instruction, and universal screening for mathematics difficulties.

screen shot showing a form for universal screening tool charts and record forms

WebMath  - Online math help that includes  step-by-step answers to specific math questions entered by the user. Answers are generated in real time and support a wide range of math topics including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. 

screen shot showing the comparison of two fractions

Quick Graph Calculator - Apple graphing calculator app. Features include basic calculator functions, 2D and 3D equation plotting, and a library for commonly used equations.

screen shot showing a formula for a parabola and the corresponding graph


Ruler AR Camera Measure Tape - Apple app that uses the device's camera to generate precise measurements and dimensions.

Geometry Stash - Apple app that provides easy access to geometry theorems. Each theorem includes a description, diagram, and example.

screen shot showing examples of the pythagorean theorem

Math Tools for Students  -  Collection of resources to assist learners with the completion of math assignments and projects.
Reading & Study Digital Tools v. 2
readingstudydigitaltools
screen shot of the cover of the reading and study digital tools guide
The Reading & Study Digital Tools v.2 is a  downloadable PDF that includes step-by-step tutorials on how to use built-in reading and study features in a variety of software programs that support digital text and digital books. Programs include Windows, iOS, Chrome, Word & OneNote for 365 Online, Natural Reader, Read & Write, Snap & Read, and CoWriter.

Example tutorials include:

Microsoft 365 Immersive Reader - Text-to-speech tool with a variety of customizable settings such as voice and parts of speech options, line focus, and a picture dictionary.

shows a sentence with nouns_ verbs_ and adjectives depicted in separate colors

Windows MouseGrid - Enables the user to position and activate mouse functions with voice commands.  

shows a gridded overlay on a computer screen with the grids numbered one through 9

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Chrome Mouse - Tutorials include increasing the cursor size, adding a colored circle around the cursor while it is moving, tap dragging, and automatic mouse clicks. 

screen shot of the accessibility shortcut menu
iOS Accessibility Shortcut  - Provides quick access to iPad and iPhone accessibility features by triple-clicking the home button. Great for learners who share devices or have difficulty navigating menu items.

Microsoft 365 OneNote - Note-taking tutorials include adding and editing videos, images, drawings, symbols, and add-ins such as Kahn Academy content. 

screen shot of a notes page on the circulatory system with images and typed and handwritten notes

Some features may not be available based on individual software versions or may be blocked as part of a district's instructional technology policies and device configurations.
Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)

shows two fingers navigating a braille page


Accessible Educational Materials  - Materials and technologies  usable for learning across the widest range of individual variability, regardless of format or features. Includes  materials or technology designed from the start to be accessible for all learners or made accessible for learners with disabilities. 

Florida Technical Assistance Paper (TAP) - Assists school districts with providing accessible instructional materials to learners with disabilities consistent with the provision of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).

National Center on AEM - Resources and technical assistance for educators, parents, learners, publishers, and other stakeholders for learning about and implementing AEM and NIMAS.

NIMAC - Federally funded, national electronic file repository that provides specialized formats such as braille, large print, digital text, and audio at no cost to qualifying learners.  FIMC-VI assists district digital rights managers (DRMs) in the registration of learners and the procurement of NIMAS files from NIMAC.

FIMC/VI - Statewide resource center that provides specialized accessible assessments and instructional materials in braille, large print, and digital formats for eligible Florida learners with visual impairments. 

RMTC/DHH - Statewide resource center that provides captioned and signed materials for eligible Florida learners who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Bookshare - Federally funded vendor that provides accessible materials to qualifying learners at no cost. Formats include digital text, DAISY, and braille ready.

Learning Ally - State funded project that provides Florida-adopted audio books to qualifying learners as well training to district staff, learners, and parents. 
Announcements

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2019 Conference will be held January 29 - February 2, 2019 at the Caribe Royale Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This conference is an excellent professional development opportunity with  hundreds of educational sessions across a wide range of strands. Complimentary CEUs are included in the registration fees and are available for ACVREP, AOTA, and ASHA.

Additional events and conference information is available on the Technology & Learning Connections  events page. 
This resource was funded through the Bureau of Exceptional Education  and Student Services with IDEA Part B dollars. The information and  resources are provided as a free awareness service to the educational  community and do not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties  involved . Please note that access to some resources may be blocked by individual school districts.