UDL+-+Universal+Design+for+Learning

If you are interested in resources that fit the **Universal Design for Learning** framework, here is a new website that you need to know about. It’s a completely free service offered by your rep from Insight Media Centre in Surrey, and it’s called [|**Gary’s UDL Resource Room**], located at [|www.udlresources.com].

The UDL Resource Room’s main feature is a growing collection of video tutorials and demos of the latest resources for maximizing teachers’ ability to teach to diversity. To date, the videos cover the following resources:


 * Fusion Portable Keyboard** – a low-cost, effective alternative to the laptop. It comes with a large display screen, easy access to key functions such as the font-size adjustment, thesaurus, dictionary, writing score, and data transmission. It’s more an assistive technology device than a note-taker and comes with pre-installed writing prompts, typing tutor, word prediction software, and very affordable text to speech capability. Tutorial videos of the Fusion in action are located at [|http://www.udlresources.com/akt_fusion1.html].


 * Reading Plus®** – a comprehensive, evidence based software solution for reading assessment and improvement that develops foundational fluency skills for students of all ages. It is the result of over 70 years of research and development in the area of reading improvement technology. Reading Plus® addresses all the elements of reading cited by the National Reading Panel including: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Comprehension and, what is most important, Fluency. Videos for Reading Plus are located at [|http://www.udlresources.com/rp1.html].


 * My Reading Coach™** – teaches struggling students to read. It is the only reading program that provides a virtual reading specialist and speech pathologist for every learner. Embedded Teacher Intelligence™ individualizes instruction to help every learner reach his or her full potential. My Reading Coach™ is a full course on reading including: phonics instruction, phonemic awareness, grammar as a tool to teach reading comprehension, and reading comprehension practice sessions. Excellent for of all age-groups! Tutorial videos for My Reading Coach are located at [|http://www.udlresources.com/mrcp.html].


 * Fluent Reading Trainer (FLRT) ™** – this fluency training tool quickly helps students increase reading speed while improving reading comprehension. FLRT trains the eyes to move from left to right efficiently and to sweep in one movement enhancing visual memory, silent reading skills, speed and reading comprehension. From the makers of My Reading Coach, this program is designed for students who already have the decoding skills necessary to read. Tutorial videos for FLRT are located at [|http://www.udlresources.com/flrt.html].


 * AbleNet** – creators of simple-to-use assistive technology products and educational programs that empower people with complex physical and cognitive disabilities. AbleNet is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities by creating products and ideas that make teaching students with disabilities easy, fun and fulfilling. AbleNet believes that all children deserve the tools to help them learn and interact with those around them. Tutorial videos for AbleNet are located at [|http://www.udlresources.com/ablenet.html].

New tutorial videos are being developed constantly—according to relevance and demand—and posted on this site. If there’s a particular special needs product or task that you’d like to see demonstrated online--or in person--please let us know and we’ll do our best to make it happen! Should it turn out that there’s a strong interest in any of these products, we would be pleased to offer a free workshop at your earliest convenience. Some products are also available for free trials, which could be arranged by simply calling 1-888-541-7772.

The resources shown at [|www.udlresources.com]are all available at **Insight Media Centre in Surrey** and the Insight Media Centre website—which includes thousands of special needs and literacy products—is located at [|http://www.insightmediacentre.com].

Gary Bartanus, B. Ed. Consultant / Trainer Insight Media Centre 10501 125 B Street, Surrey, BC Tel. 778-327-5540 Tel. 1-888-541-7772 Fax 1-866-450-1724 Email: [|gb.insight@gmail.com]Web: [|www.udlresources.com]