Universal Design in Learning and the Library
The article from Spina (2017) about how Universal Design would work when designing library spaces and services to include all patrons of all ages was a welcome opening into the creative possibility of change in library design both in instruction and collection development. Especially when using an iPad was mentioned in helping with accessing catalog services. So, keeping in mind of using an iPod (smaller hands) for an assistive technology tool, I found two apps that I think will work really well in helping with communication for my students. I actually want to bring to the forefront two separate pieces of technology unified by a singular manufacturer.
There are two apps that I think are useful from this company in two very different ways for the library setting. The first app that I stumbled upon was Proloquo2Go. It can be used on any Apple or Android device. The cost is $249.99, but it is an application that is meant to be used for those designated as nonverbal communicators. It spoke to me as a professional because I had an incident with one of my sensory storytimes with a new student who has no way to speak to any of the adults surrounding her. Knowing that pictorial cards are used with our autistic students, I thought this type of communication app would be perfect in helping our students learn new words and new ways to communicate with their classmates and teachers.
The second app that is also provided by this same parent company is Pictello, a storytelling app that allows users to create stories using student produced photographs and videos. It is available for Apple and Android for only $19.99. There are a variety of websites that promote this particular app, and I enjoyed the video showing the app being used by older autistic students.
These types of technologies bring text to life, and allow those who are unable to express themselves new methods that can be useful in the classroom as well as in public. These apps are similar to the MyTalkTools that I was also interested in, and are featured in the SLIS 761 class blog, Ms. Francis in the Library.
I found the following two blogs full of useful information on what can be done with Pictello from an assistive technology viewpoint:
Glenda’s Assistive Technology Information and more…
and
Anne’s Blog
Commonsense.org also had a wonderful review on their website about the program. There’s also a training presentation available from Jessy’s AfterShare Space that offers a great powerpoint presentation and links to the training manual, etc.
From my own perspective, it is vital as librarians that we provide the ability for our users to communicate with us their needs and desires when it comes to what is provided in our communal spaces. I think these two apps are great at being able to do that both from a teaching standpoint (Pictello) and a basic communication standpoint (Proloquo2Go).
Sources
AssistiveWare. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.assistiveware.com/
Jessy’s AfterShare. (2018). Retrieved from http://learningnetwork.setbc.org/sd6windermere/workshop-follow-up/
Pictello. Common Sense Media for Educators. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/pictello
Spina, C. (2017). How universal design will make your library more inclusive. School Library Journal. Retrieved from https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=how-universal-design-will-make-your-library-more-inclusive
Universal Design for Learning. (2018) Retrieved from https://www,udlcenter.org/