The National Center for Universal Design for Learning is an excellent resource to use in order to locate the appropriate technology tool to meet the needs of all learners. Various free educational technology tools are listed for each of the three principles: multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagment. As mentioned previously, this blog was created from a UDL perspective. Beyond the use of three communication mediums of text, audio and visual, I attempted to incorporate applicable Web 2.0 tools for UDL and social studies.
1. Voicethread – Multiple means of Action and Expression: “VoiceThread has embedded options for communication. Comments can be expressed through writing, verbally, and/or with a drawing tool ” (National Center on Universal Design for Learning, 2012a).
2. Glogster – Multiple means of action and expression and engagement: “Glogster is a unique tool that allows students to communicate their learning as well as their creativity!” (Ibid, 2012)
3. Wordle – Multiple means of representation: “The word clouds created used Wordle reinforce key vocabulary and may serve as a starting point for developing vocabulary lists” (National Centre on Universal Design for Learning, 2012b).
4. Prezi – Multiple means of action and expression and engagement: Although not listed specifically on the UDL website, it does enable students to communicate their learning in multiple ways, much like Glogster.
Proceed to Implications.