Adults and students are using technology to meet our learning

needs

UDL at Fairview School:

What is Universal Design?

• Universal Design is an architectural term used to describe adaptations that improve access for people varied needs.

Why UDL at Fairview?• 20 % of students have a Ministry of

Education designation• Many students are not yet at grade level• Many students show their frustration

through their behaviour

So how can we adapt the curriculum so ALL of our students can show what they know?

Universal Design for Learning

We need to plan for those with special needs from the start!

We need to plan for students who have challenges with:

• Vision

• Mobility

• Health Issues

We need to plan for students who have challenges with:

• Flexibility

• Genetics

• Writing

We need to plan for students who have challenges with:

• Size

• Hearing

• Speech

• Motor Skills

We need to plan for students who are:

• Creative• Curious• Always moving• Gifted• Talented• Impulsive

• Teachers already use UDL principles to adapt curriculum but we DID NOT have access to technology in the classrooms

• We have experienced

teachers who know the community and the curriculum!

Why UDL at Fairview?

2007-2008 Survey

1. Computers? 5. Reading Programs?

2. Internet? 6. Writing Programs?

3. E-mail? 7. Math Programs?

4. MS Office? 8. Daily Usage of Technology?

Do you have access to:

In 2007-2008:• Obsolete computers in classrooms • No Internet access in classrooms

• Outdated programs in the lab• Primary teachers found computers too frustrating

• Why use technology when it doesn’t work?

2009 Survey

Do you have access to:

1. Computers? 5. Reading Programs?

2. Internet? 6. Writing Programs?

3. E-mail? 7. Math Programs?

4. MS Office? 8. Daily Usage of Technology?

Use of Technology in 2009Thanks to funding, training, and ongoing support from: • SET-BC’s UDL Project and coordinator, Mallory Burton• SD68-Student Support Services and IT Departments • Fairview PAC and School staff members • NDTA Professional Development Fund • Community Access Program (Industry Canada)• Computers for Schools

• We are in inner-city school with diverse needs

• We have students from many cultures with many ways of knowing

Why UDL at Fairview?

Multiple Means of Representation

How do we access what we want to or need to learn?

How has technology helped your learning?Our students said: “We are now able to do

research and use programs to help us.”

0 10 20 30 40 50

1

Presentation

Easier/Faster

Spelling/Grammar

Typing

Fun

Research

Visual Support

Reading Support

Use of programs

It hasn't

Don't Know

Multiple Means of Engagement

• How do we make connections with our learning?

• What do we do to make sense of it all?

What would you like to have or do to improve your learning?

Don't Know

More time on the computer

Faster computers

Smart Board

More games/programs

More help

More music, books,homeworkLaptops

Better computer lab

Science experiments/gym

Our students said: “We want more time on the computer and the SMARTBoard and more programs like Inspiration, Kurzweil, etc.”

Multiple Means

of Expression

How do we show others what we know?

How do we express our understanding?

Students most appreciated the technology support for their spelling, editing, and typing (clarity and professional look to their work). “It helps me fix my backwards letters.” (Grade 2 student)

Fairview’s well on its way!

Our explorations with UDL would not have happened without a lot of support from others. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to:

• Student Support Services staff Bob Esliger, Jan Thorsen, Jane Carroll!

• Information Technology staff Steve Sproston, Joel Canfield, Wayne Cooper, and Ryan Loughlin!

• SET-BC UDL coordinator Mallory Burton!