Before and After

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Solution to the UDL Challenge?

So I have been trying really hard to think of a solution for my kitchen cabinets. First, I thought about the main problems they posed: 1) they are way too high and 2) it is hard to lift anything heavy and store it up there.

The first solution I thought of was just to have cabinets built that were either at, or below eye level.This would definitely make them more easily accessible, but might still pose a problem for people who could not lift things easily. The second solution I thought of was to have a chair or some sort of step ladder, permanently implanted or bolted to the wall. However, this could prove as an obstacle for people walking in the kitchen.

The third and best solution I thought was a retractable, miniature, mechanical lift installed in the cabinet. Perhaps it could function just like a mini elevator. I know it might prove to be costly, so this would be the major drawback. I also do not have one that I could take a picture of, so I took a picture of a hypothetical lift (what I envisioned). I envisioned a key pad that would go hand in hand with the lift that only would display three options: "lower," "raise," and "retract." I think this would provide for simplicity and guarantee comprehension. Second, I imagine the key pad near the fridge and the lift to be installed directly in the cabinet. I know this is not a real device, but I wonder if it could be created?

If this device could actually be created it would definitely provide for flexibility in use because it could adjust do different heights of the user. It would simple, and intuitive because it only involves 3 commands. I think it would be perceptible, because I imagine the wording on the key pad would be large and also in braille. I think it would be designed to allow for error in that one could place a pretty high maximum weight limit of items on the lift. It would definitely require low physical effort, because it would only require the pressing of buttons, and maybe if technology was that advanced, it could be voice activated. as for size and space, I think the ramp would take up little space due to its small size. Obviously the only problem would be that it might be expensive.

What do you think? The next post will display a "before" and "after" picture!

Kurzweil

Last class we had a brief introduction to the software: Kurzweil. I think this software could be a great asset in a classroom for students of varying abilities. It is important to understand that it can be of aid to students both with and without disabilities. I realized several ways Kurzweil would help me (ie. allowing me to digitally highlight sections of a text and linking to definitions)! Overall, I think it could serve as both an instructional and adaptational technology.

First, it can serve as instructional technology because it can help teachers to differentiate learning for all different kinds of learning preferences and styles of students. For example, by allowing the teacher to pull a PDF file into the software and then digitally highlighting key terms for students to pay attention to, or enlarging texts, can really aid students in comprehension. In essence, it is helping students learn what is important and what to glean form the text. Also, by having certain words link to definitions, students can use Kurzweil almost as a graphic organizer. I think graphic organizers can function both as instructional aids and adaptational aids. They can function as instructional aids because they help organize the information for students that the teacher is providing. They can be classified as adaptational aids because they help students who may need extra assistance with note taking. Kurzweil also serves as an adaptational technology in that students can click on text when using the software and the text can be read aloud for them. This would prove especially helpful for students who have problems reading or processing information. It could also help students who do not have the dexterity or motor strength to hold a text and read it at the same time.

Kurzweil could be a great asset for a few of the different learning profiles that we referenced in class. First, it could prove as a great asset for a student like Luke (diagnosed with executive processing disorder and dyslexia). Because Luke absolutely loves technology, this software could prove as a great way to get him interested and increase his confidence in reading and writing. I think asking Luke to explore it and perhaps pairing him with a peer buddy to present on a class topic, could really make Luke’s self-esteem grow. Second, because Kurzweil serves as a great graphic organizing tool, Luke’s difficulty to focus, could significantly maximize his efficiency with respect to the amount of time spent doing homework. Third, because Luke has trouble reading and writing (due to his Dyslexia), Kurzweil could read aloud to him, so he can improve his comprehension and reading skills.

Kurzweil could also prove to be a great asset for a student like Sarah (diagnosed with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy). Because Sarah has trouble with balance, she would not be required to hold a book in order to read, if she had access to this software. The teacher could actually post the reading for her, or the reading could be read aloud to her. This could prove to be more engaging for her, because she would simply have to look straight ahead to see what was being discussed in class.

Third, I think Kurzweil could work well for someone like Jack (diagnosed with ADHD, having limited working memory, literal comprehension and fine motor difficulty). As it could help Luke, Kurzweil in acting as a graphic organizer could really assist Jack in maximizing his time. In allowing him to highlight or enlarge certain text, it could also help him with his working memory because he could make note of important parts of the text. Also, in providing links such as definitions to certain words, it could help him with his memory as well. Because Jack likes technology Kurzweil could really prove to be an asset for him.

Overall, Kurzweil is an awesome asset to the classroom! I wonder how much Kurzweil costs and also if it is provided for teachers in public schools? Can every student have access to Kurzweil? The only barriers I see are financial, but if it could be provided, it would be an incredible asset to the classroom!

UDL is not apparent in my kitchen!

My kitchen cabinets are by far the most poorly designed attribute of my 4X4 kitchen. First off, they are above my refrigerator. How many people store items above their refrigerator? I don’t think very many! I usually use cabinets for food that does not need to be refrigerated such as, spices, chips, cookies, and things like plastic bags and aluminum foil, all of which are usually desired on a regular basis. Therefore, when I enter the kitchen in search of a cookie or chips I would like to be able to access them without having to stand on my tip toes, and while I don’t consider myself extremely tall, I don’t think I am that short either. I am 5 foot, 8 inches tall (pretty average height). However, to reach the cabinets, I have to do more than just stand on my tip toes. I actually have to pull up a chair and stand on top of it.

So you must be thinking – what would Sarah store above her fridge that is so far out of reach? That is an excellent question, and I still do not know the answer. I have come up with paper towels and water bottles for the time being. However, to store these items, I have to pull up the chair. Additionally, water bottles are heavy so I have to solicit help from my boyfriend. So when considering placing items in these cabinets, I also have to think about how heavy the item is. After it is placed there, I then have to think about it being placed securely. I wouldn’t want my boyfriend to open the cabinet and have water bottles fall on him.

Sometimes when I am very lazy and do not feel like pulling up a chair to get a fresh roll of paper towels. So, I just jump as high as I can and swipe my hand horizontally in the cabinet – praying it will knock down a roll and not a water bottle. Most of the time, this action results in the stubbing of my toe on the fridge while simultaneously having paper towel rolls fall on my head. These are most definitely the most ill designed aspect of my kitchen, for all people, regardless of disability.

These cabinets would prove completely futile for someone in a wheelchair or for someone who cannot stand up straight, and also for someone who would have trouble mounting and dismounting a chair while maintaining balance. For instance, my 75 year old grandmother would never be able to use these cabinets. She is 5’5’’ and has a very bad hip. Even if she didn’t have a bad hip, I don’t think she would have the energy to get on and off the chair, and I would be afraid for her to get on the chair and maybe fall and hurt herself. Furthermore, I would think that for someone who has a visual impairment, items are most easily accessible at or below eye level. These cabinets are way above eye level for people at average height. For people that may be tall and are able actually access the cabinets, I would have concern that they would bump their head on the ceiling. Also, when storing things in the cabinets, one has to have the strength to load and unload the items, and be sure that in the event an item may fall from the cabinet, it would not injure a passerby. Therefore these cabinets require someone with strong gross motor skills.

In essence, if I could change anything about my kitchen, it would be to lower my cabinets!

My Thoughts on UDL(Universal Design for Learning)

UDL is so vital to an effective and fully functioning classroom. Initially, I thought of it as only vital to a classroom that includes students with severe disabilities, but now I realize that it is vital to all classrooms and all populations of students.

First, I learned that assistive technology is not limited to devices such as a Dynavox, but also includes things that many children benefit from. I realized that I actually employ some of these very devices in my own classroom! For example, when I teach reading and writing I like to use low tech devices such as graphic organizers and flow charts to help students who may have difficulty brainstorming. I also like to use high tech devices like recorders to help capture students’ ideas who have difficulty writing.

However, even more importantly, I learned that UDL dictates that the ideal implementation would include a curriculum that does not require any modifications or accommodations. I think this can be really difficult to accomplish, especially without the use of any assistive technology. I therefore think teachers have to think of their classroom and curriculum, almost as a new country. I think this analogy was raised in class, and it really hit home for me. I realized that not being able to access the curriculum can be compared to not knowing the language of a country –it can be completely alienating and frustrating! This is definitely not how I want my students to feel when learning. When I started to think about how accessible my classroom and my curriculum that I am teaching are, I felt like there were some toys or games that should be on a lower shelf(for easier access), and perhaps some exercises that I should have differentiated better for students with differing attention spans. I think I would have greatly benefited from a fresh perspective, and by that I mean inviting someone to my room who is not a member of the class or school, and asking them how accessible they think my classroom is.

I also tried to think about how UDL could be applied without the use of assistive technology in my D75 classroom (before technology was invented). I think it would require some very creative thinking, and inspire teachers to really go above and beyond in reaching their students. Perhaps UDL should be implemented more to inspire more teacher creativity. In playing devil's advocate, could one venture to say that technology could sometimes cause some teachers to be lazy because it provides so much assistance for the students?

On a different note, this lecture provided for some introspection on how accessible New York City is as a whole. I started to think about my daily routine and realized there are so many things that come with ease for me, that I take for granted. I wonder how NYC compares to other cities, in its effort to accommodate its citizens? Would a more suburban area or a rural area be more likely to accomplish UDL?

Thoughts on Learning the Ropes

Hi, my name is Sarah Allen and I am in the ID/Autism program at Teachers College and am finishing my final semester. I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. I attended Duke University for my undergraduate degree, and studied Psychology and English. After college I decided to move to NYC with three of my close friends, in pursuit of a dream we all had to live “in the big city.” Looking back, I can’t believe we all moved here and were able to secure jobs (the economy was definitely in a better state then, than it is now!) I worked for two years as a paralegal (with the job description of a social worker) at the Legal Aid Society- Juvenile Rights Division, before deciding to go back to school. My job confirmed for me that I loved working with kids, wanted to be with them on a daily basis, and help them make positive choices.

Last semester I student taught at a District 75 school. It was my first teaching experience. I absolutely loved working with my students. All had severe and or multiple disabilities, and most were non-verbal. Therefore, I was introduced to a lot of augmentative communication devices such as the GoTalk. My Cooperating Teacher gave me a brief introduction to BoardMaker, and I learned how to program the devices for my students. However, I look forward to learning much more about it in this class!

I am definitely not the most technologically savvy person, and sometimes it comes as a struggle to me. I am glad that this course encourages students to “take chances” and “be creative” instead of just trying to be safe. That makes me feel more comfortable about making mistakes. I have never blogged before, so this is very new to me. I think learning how to use technology is very important for education, especially for students with disabilities. During the first semester of TC, I observed another classroom use a SmartBoard. It was also a classroom for children with severe and or multiple disabilities, and it allowed them to be so much more involved and stimulated! This really impressed upon me how important technology is in the classroom. As far as teaching people like me how to use technology, I think receiving explicit instruction and knowing it is OK to make mistakes are essential for students to learn how to successfully use it. Also, as a student, I think I need to be patient with myself.

In response to Martinez’s essay on problem solving, I feel almost more relaxed now that he mentioned the obvious: we already problem solve and we are born with problem solving skills. In fact, he hints that we used to be less stressed about making mistakes and engaging in the process when we were younger. This also puts me at ease, because I must be slightly more than a novice at problem solving, since I am 25 years old! I like how he pointed out that there is no obvious way to problem solve, because then it wouldn’t exist. Basically I expect this course to challenge me, and I will be caught off guard if there aren’t any problems. It’s a new way to approach our coursework, that is less stressful and more exciting. I liked how he explained several heuristics that can act as guides to help us problem solve. The one I most identified with was the “approximation approach,” because I use this often. I think this also speaks to what kind of a learner I am. I do best when I am given several chances to perfect my efforts! Overall, I am excited to start this course and become more technologically savvy!