Universal Design for Learning & eMINTS

The eMINTS National Center uses both formative and summative evaluation processes to provide continuous, high-quality support for its professional development programs. Qualitative report from pilot project (December 2007) Quantitative report from pilot (December 2007)   For more information contact the eMINTS National Center at emints-info@emints.org or (573) 884-7202.

Universal Design for Learning and eMINTS

Universal design for learning (UDL) is an education concept that includes the learning needs of all students from lesson planning to assessment. UDL strategies seek to eliminate physical and educational barriers so that all student’s can learn to the their full potential. Technology has been an important component in allowing children to access and understand a wide range of materials.

Reports from Pilot Project: Universal Design for Learning
(text-to-speech and voice recognition)

In collaboration with three suburban St. Louis districts and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, text-to-speech (TtS) and voice recognition (VR) software were implemented for all students in selected eMINTS classrooms during the 2006-2007 school year. The pilot implemented TtS and VR software, normally used as assistive technology, following the tenants of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL suggests that learning tools for students with special needs can also benefit general education students. Teacher’s reported significant improvement in student writing and editing skills; reading material on the Web; and engagement with learning. Positive student results were reported with ELL students in command of their reading and writing; emergent and struggling readers were empowered with tools that allowed them to direct their own learning.

Information on this pilot project will be presented at the NECC International Conference by Monica Beglau in June 2008.

For information about custom professional development options related to implementation of this software, please complete an eMINTS custom PD request form and indicate in the “other” text box that you are interested in professional development for this software.

Qualitative report presenting teacher’s observations and analysis of the pilot year (PDF 112 KB)

Text to speech (TtS) and voice recognition (VR) software has been in use for over a decade. This qualitative study examines the use of TtS and VR tools in primary general education classrooms. Extant research has limited foci of closely guided instruction in the classroom, typically for students with learning disabilities to improve communication arts skills. The intent of this study was to determine how teachers and students would implement and use TtS and VR software in technology-rich general education classrooms to support student learning needs.

Quantitative report of MAP analysis of participating classrooms (PDF 135 KB)

Text-to-speech (TtS) and voice recognition (VR) software has been in use as both an accommodation and an intervention for over a decade. This study sought to determine the effectiveness of these two computer-based applications in general education technology-rich classrooms. The software was implemented for all students to use following universal design for learning (UDL) principles. This quantitative study examines the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) scores for participating classrooms.

Reviewed June 10, 2008.