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Universal Design for Learning Technology Initiative
Summary
IDEA (2004) requires access to the general education curriculum for all students.  Universal Design for Learning (UDL) leverages technology to make classrooms more inclusive and effective for student learning.  This project provides Special Education teachers  comprehensive opportunity  to integrate UDL and technology into our classrooms.

Goals

1. Technology hardware and software identified as effective learning tools will be provided to special education teachers and their students.

2. Special education teachers will learn to use technology to more effectively to present the regular education curriculum and engage students in it.

3. Students will learn to use technology to more effectively to read, understand, organize ideas, study and write to meet educational standards across the curriculum.

Eligibility
Full time special eduction teachers with student contact would be encouraged to apply for up to two levels of participation.  A maximum 100 participants will be accepted for option 1 and 5 for option 2.
  • Option 1, Preparing teachers to reach and engage all students:  Participants accepted into the Special Education Integration Initiative will receive use of a wireless computer with software, LCD Projector, a cart, and a digital "Flip camera". Participants may keep this hardware and software package as long as they continue to meet the requirements of the Initiative. Failure to meet these requirements will result in forfeiture of initiative hardware.  
  • Option 2, Promoting technology access for students:  In addition to the resources outlined in option 1, schools that agree to work collaboratively to propose and  implement a plan for student use of technology, will be given access to a cart of "Netbook" computers that will serve as student use computers. Additional staff development will be required for this options

Participants Will Receive:
Option 1 Participants accepted into the  Initiative will receive use of a wireless laptop computer with software, an LCD Projector, a mobile cart, a Flip video camera, and wireless keyboard.
Option 2 Participants accepted into this Initiative will receive the same equipment as option 1 plus access to a cart of Netbook computers for student use.
Participants may keep this hardware and software package as long as they continue to meet the requirements of the Initiative. Failure to meet these requirements will result in forfeiture of initiative equipment.

Requirements
Professional Development
Participants will be required to attend the following fifteen hours of training which supports this initiative:

  • Face-to-Face Orientation:(3 hours) This course is as an overview of the program.
  • Online Professional Learning Community: (Approximately 2 hours) Participants will be required to contribute to an online course.
  • Seminars:(6 hours) Participants are required to attend one 2 hour training and at least two two hour elective seminars. 
  • Coaching: (2 hours) At least twice a year, you will be required to meeti with a UDL Technology to develop a plan for integrating what has been learned into your curriculum, inspiring student learning and creativity.
  • Show what you know fairs:(2 hours).  These venues will provide participants an opportunity to gather and see how UDL and technology is impacting special education instruction.  Each participant will be required to present once on how they have successfully integrated UDL and technology into their teaching.

Additional Requirements
  • Complete the application.
  • Meet with Integration Coach a minimum of two times during the school year for planning and collaboration.
  • Expand the use of UDL and technology in the regular and special education classroom settings.
  • Track special education integration efforts and workshop attendance using PDExpress.
  • Maintain possession of Initiative hardware. Equipment is checked out to trained participants only.  Giving away or loaning Initiative hardware is not allowed.
  • Submit and conduct an action research plan to raise student achievement utilizing technology.
  • Read and respond to Special Education Integration Initiative emails.
  • Perform periodic, preventative maintenance on hardware, running software update on your computer and cleaning LCD projector filter.
  • Complete pre and post assessment on the Integration of assistive technology use.
  • Present on your efforts to integrate UD and technology into the special education classroom.
Registration Process:
Participation is limited. Applications will be accepted until June 10, 2009. Accepted participants will be notified via email  or phone by July 15 2009.

Registration link: http://specialed.spps.org/UDL_Application.html