STCC Universal Design Projects

Linda Meccouri, PhD
Mary Moriarty, EdD
Springfield Technical Community College (STCC)
Session 4 from the Middlesex Carnegie Summer Institute.

Questions to be answered by project:
1. Can universal design be effective in improving learning experiences of students in general and those with disabilities in particular.
2. What recommendations for course approaches, materials and assistive technologies work best?
3. As UDL is employed, are there attitudinal changes among students and faculty regarding Science, technology, engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning capabilities

UDL central premise:

curriculum should include alternatives to make it accessible and appropriate for individuals with different backgrounds, learning styles, abilities, and disabilities in widely varied learning contexts.

recommendation — multimodal expressions
multiple means of representation
multiple means of expression
multiple means of engagement

focuses on physical, social, and learning environments

showed video of great pedagogy in biology lab classroom. Prof made her own "dynamic" model parts of cells. After students looked through microscope, they then needed to create the cell on the lab table using the plastic cell pieces. The visually impaired students could then feel the structure of the cell, rather than missing it because they couldn't see through the scope.

Programming example:
"Learning Styles, Challenges, and Strengths" inventory
Strength-based intentional groups based on the information that students filled out on the cards
Online conferencing on relevant trends
Mentor program
Practice tests to reduce to reduce test anxiety
Digital formats that can be used with assistive technology

Linda had us do an exercise that she uses the first day in every class that she teaches. She then uses the information on the card to form strength-based intentional groups. I like the exercise very much, can see the usefulness in it, and would like to try it myself.

What really got me thinking was hearing that Linda puts everything on the web so that students can use readers with the material and have the info rad back to them. Do I need to do a better job of capturing material I discuss in the Sat f2f class? Currently I work from an outline of what I want to do in class, and virtually none of the information is captured online. Since we are now podcasting the classes, the information is captured, but who wants to bother to wade through 3 hours worth of stuff? I wouldn't. I'll need to think about htis one, as it would require me to do things very differently.