Recognizing Differences

Last week I had the pleasure of attending and presenting at the Better Learning by Design Conference in Burlington, VT. This was a wonderful opportunity for like-minded advocates of universal design for learning to gather and discuss best practices. The focus of this conversation centered around UDL in postsecondary settings — an important place for the framework of UDL. Both Dr. David Rose and Skip Stahl opened with insightful messages as our keynoters and their materials are also listed. Worth a visit!

It is always comforting when a seasoned technology innovator predicts that a technology of 20+ years is still in its infancy. That was the case last night on the 60 minutes show and the discussion from the inventor of the cell phone. I was pleased to hear this inventor discuss the importance of having cellphones that offered features that provided important functions—those that really addressed the needs of the user. In fact, I was amazed to hear that this inventor is also responsible for developing the Jitterbug phone that is such a great tool for those needing simplicity in their lives. Listen to this broadcast and especially what his predictions are for the future. Sounds alot like good principles of universal design to me
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6512514n&tag=contentMain;cbsCarousel

I’ve been recruited! Having just sat through an hour long APPLE demonstration on the iPad, I can now say that I am converted. I want to get my hands on one of these very slick mobile devices. Not only is this electronic device the size of a small book, the thickness of a 1/2 inch pad of paper and weighing just 1.5 lbs but, this tool has an amazing array of features and apps.

For instance, the iPad has the same adjustable view that alternates on a turn between portrait or landscape. Using the keyboard is simpler in the landscape view that allows a wider keyboard reach for accessing keys. Direct link to the YouTube selection or a downloadable NetFlix app provides seamless access to movie views. The device also packs with a case that doubles as a stand. Thus, the iPad can become a display for sharing photos, a stand to watch a movie or perhaps a stand to hold the iPad that has been set as my alarm clock

In addition, Apple has loaded this tool with a set of Accessibility features and functionality. The ability to have voice-over capability to listen to the words on a page, the ability to enlarge the view with the touch of a finger, and the ability to have the pages automatically turned. Words within text can also be explored with a direct link to an embedded dictionary. Great tools to support reading. I just wish they would lift these tools up into the main part of the device instead of subsumed under “Accessibility”. Functions such as these are universally appealing to all learners — not just those needing access for a special need!

The 14th National Issues Forum on Vocational Evaluation and Career Assessment has been in process this week in Oklahoma. I’ve been fortunate to be attending this great event where such practitioners assemble from all over the US (and parts of Canada) to share best practices, strategies and resources. I’ve attended these Forums since the second in 1986. Always a great place to reunite with like-minded professionals that value the importance of vocational evaluation and career assessment processes that celebrate multiple hands-on measures to determine career abilities.

This Forum was especially exciting with the kickoff keynote address by Brian Kurth author/owner of Vocation Vacations. I enjoyed Mr. Kurth’s message around adult career mentorship that assured work life balance. As Mr. Kurth noted, such work/life balance for any individual should include a career opportunity to do something that allows passion, fulfillment, and the pursuit of happiness. I’m looking forward to one day hopefully “test driving” one of his listed dream vacations!

This is exciting to see, a resource area dedicated to eReaders in the Educause ELI (Learning Initiative) web space. These tools were cited by the Horizons Reports for 2010 as a technology on the horizon. For those of us who work with individuals who have diverse learning abilities, eReaders offer much more than just a place to browse and electronic book. If browsed with the right tool, these devices can provide places for embedding notes, highlighting text, enlarging the view or even speaking the text aloud. For more information, consider reading this resource on eReaders at http://www.educause.edu/Resources/7ThingsYouShouldKnowAboutERead/200539

This was recently announced, “Google is trying to make YouTube a more accessible service to viewers who are hearing-impaired. On Thursday, 3/4/2010 it announced that it’s turning on its auto-captioning technology to all users–a move it hopes will make videos both easier to watch and find in its search engine. Video providers are now able to apply for machine transcription on their own videos. And for videos that have not yet been transcribed, a user can request it themselves. YouTube then puts it in a transcription queue, which can take anywhere from an hour to a day–a time Google is trying to make as fast as possible.”
Now that’s thinking universal design!!

Interested in the discussion around universal design for learning? Looking for ways to promote the importance of this framework? Consider joining the discussion through the National Community of Practice on Universal Design for Learning at http://www.sharedwork.org. We’d like to hear from you!

Yesterday while attending the Virginia Transition Forum, I had the wonderful opportunity of hearing a parent describe an example of universal design for learning (UDL) in action. They shared how when they were first introduced to the great software program Inspiration (a graphic web/ outlining tool) they thought of their son and how this tool would be so beneficial for him. As they noted, their son was one drawn to sharing his projects through more visual means. Writing was often a struggle and developing his thoughts in linear outlines proved to be a challenge. He had more success when showcasing his strengths through more visual means. As she introduced her son to this graphically rich outlining tool, he quickly began to conceptualize a model of his thoughts around an assigned project. When his Mom demonstrated how this same visual outline represented the same linear text outline, “his mouth dropped open and he looked at me with a look of amazement”. At that moment, her son had what we educators refer to as important “ah-ha” moments. He had found an important tool that could allow him develop his assignments in a mode that worked for him yet satisfied the content needed for the task at hand. Multiple opportunities for him to represent information!

The National UDL Center has recently realized a series of wonderful videos that support the importance of this approach. To explore, visit the following weblink at http://www.udlcenter.org/screening_room/udlcenter#video0

I recently had the opportunity to visit some foreign countries. One of these was Paris, France and I was pleasantly impressed with some of the architectural elements that were in place. Apparently, as a city limited in real estate and surrounded by centuries of old buildings, city developers are trying to maximize designs and modifications that are more inclusive. One was the design built into the Louvre museum that provides an elevator that opens at floor level sitting adjacent to an escalator–multiple options provided. Another was a sign beside a new public toilet that included an icon for a male, a female and an individual in a wheelchair–all able to use the same facility. No differences, no stigmas!

This is pretty exciting, http://www.apple.com/ipad/ipad-video/#medium. I’ve been following tablet computers since they debuted, watched the first ebook evolve and purchased an iTouch last year. Since I love to photograph, carrying my photos on these types of devices is a treat…to review, to share, to enjoy. I download many applications (apps) that have educational value, assistive technology functions, or are just plain fun.

What I like about this new device is the technology embedded within this sized device that helps an individual read a digital book, watch a video, or view a photo. Equally, if I browse a website that includes technologies that provide further enhancements to the reading experience–such as color highlights, background color changes, or sound–then, I truly have a useful technology that can support so many learners. This seems to far surpass the current ebook readers that are only available in black/white displays.  I look forward to a chance to review these more closely!