Being a substitute teacher means you are often stepping into different classrooms and meeting new students all the time. Sometimes it can be a challenge to understands the needs of individual students without any prior background knowledge. I find that having a big tool belt of resources available in case I need them, makes it easier to respond and support students in any situation. Students with diverse abilities might have auditory or visual challenges that need accommodation. It is critical that every student has the tools to help them succeed in the classroom. Technology has opened many doors of opportunity to better serve the individual needs of each student. Two of the adaptive supports that I have seen positively impact changes in learning are talk to type software and audiobooks. Breaking down barriers to learning with talk to type software allows students to speak into a program to create their own work. Talk to type can help a wide variety of students that have visual issues, physical limitations, or developmental delays that can make using a computer difficult. With many schools switching to being 1 to 1 with technology devices, it can further the divide if a student struggles with using a Chromebook to turn in assignments. Software like Google Voice Typing and Dragon Speak can level the playing field for students to help empowered and in control of their learning. The National Center on Accessible Educational Materials has a plethora of resources to better understand how to implement best practices in the classroom. This video is from 2014, but the AEM video story of Baily perfectly highlights the power of identifying proper supports to help transform a young person’s connection to school.

Gaining Independence with AIM and AT - YouTube

CAST: AEM Center: National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning

Audio books are another library and classroom staple with the ability to bring literacy lessons to life. Most libraries have expanded audio offerings and streaming services have greatly improved availability of fiction and nonfiction texts. There are differences on usability factors that some services may be better suited to different needs. Bookshare, and Follet are great student friendly options. I found playing around with them gave me a much better sense of how to use them in different situations. Offering multiple methods of accessibility for learning differentials is an important factor in applying Universal Design principles in the classroom and library setting and audiobooks can be useful tool to have available. The Bookshare website offered targeted approaches for students who might need more specific learning needs. 

Sharing an article form School Library Journal that has a complete list of audio book resources

.An Ear for Reading: Audiobooks Take Center Stage in the Classroom | School Library Journal (slj.com)

  

A few audio book resources to to explore:

Is Bookshare for Me? | Bookshare

Follett

LibriVox – is sparse design is not suited for kids but a big selection of books in public domain.

 

National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (2014). Gaining Independence with AIM and AThttps://youtu.be/NhKzAQwxAJM

School Library Journal. (2021). An Ear for Reading: Audiobooks Take Center Stage in the Classroom | School Library Journal (slj.com)