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Universal Design for Learning
- The use of real materials or actual tools in natural environments is an essential component in the effective instruction of students with intellectual disabilities. Although these materials would be labeled as “low tech” teaching resources, they serve to both motivate the student and facilitate generalization to multiple environments. An example of this type of technology would be the use of manipulatives or concrete objects for a math lesson. Teachers should keep in mind that students with intellectual disabilities in inclusive classrooms also benefit from using the same materials as the rest of the students whenever possible. In other words, a high school student would use a calculator to work math problems whereas an elementary student may be more likely to use counting blocks.
- There are a number of existing software packages designed to support students with intellectual disabilities in the classroom. One promising approach in literacy software utilizes universal design for learning principles. This approach combines reading for meaning with direct instruction for decoding and understanding. The resulting software consists of an audio and video based curriculum that can be adjusted by the teacher to meet the specific academic capacities of the student.
- Ultimately, any learning software that can tailor content to address the interests of the student can be useful in supporting learning with individuals with intellectual disabilities, given that the instruction can be adapted to meet the needs of the individual.
Source Retrieved 4/25/2012