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Is It Accessible...?

12/4/2018

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Have you ever been asked the question, "is it accessible?" Two common responses to being asked this question are: a blank stare or "Yes! We are 1:1!" Both responses offer an opportunity to share more information about accessibility in education!

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) published Navigating the Digital Shift. In this guidance document, SEDTA defines two definitions for access.


  • Equity of Access: Access to devices and consistent high-speed broadband access that is essential for the implementation of digital instructional materials (and the preparation of students to participate in a knowledge economy).
  • Accessibility for All Students: Making sure the needs of all learners (including those with disabilities) are considered when acquiring, developing and implementing digital instructional materials.

The first definition is often what people are referring to when they consider 1:1 as having 'access'. Both definitions are important for integrated learning opportunities for all students!
Cover of the guidance document, Navigating the Digital Shift, by the State Educational Technology Directors Association
Providing voice and choice to students to engage with learning is a great tool for any classroom teacher. For some students, the options for accessibility isn't only nice to consider, rather is essential for learning. But what does accessibility truly mean in an educational setting? 

In a joint Dear Colleague letter from June of 2010, written by the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education defines “accessible” as meaning that a person with a disability is “afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions and enjoy the same services, in an equally effective and integrated manner, and with substantially equivalent ease of use as a person without a disability”. The image below illustrates these concepts in visual form. This definition offers us, as educators, a common definition to consider and work from. Think about our classrooms and the definition, are we providing accessible learning opportunities to students?
Picture
Accessible learning opportunities start with having a strong technology infrastructure. The Iowa Department of Education True AIM website dives into accessible materials and technologies that support accessibility. The Architecture of AIM infographic depicts how accessible technologies support the use of accessible materials. Check it out and see how strong your AIM infrastructure is!​​
The architecture of AIM. Human arm touching a tablet to with architecture tools
​
Over the remainder of the year, we will be posting different ideas about how we can consider alternate formats and opportunities for learners to engage and use curricular materials. Until then, a key question we can consider:

Can all of our student/s access and use classroom materials and technologies to support learning?

Maggie Pickett
Digital Learning Consultant
​@MaggieP_AT
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Strawbees: Unleash Creativity

12/3/2018

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​Strawbees might be the best kept secret of the Makerspace world. When I first was introduced to Strawbees, I was astounded. How can something so simple encourage so much creativity?
​
If you haven’t heard of Strawbees, let me break it down for you. It’s a kit of straws and plastic connectors. The connectors are the perfect size to slide right into the end of a straw and hold it tight. Connectors can be outfitted with one, two, three, four, or five pegs to connect straws, allowing for all types of creations and ideas.
Strawbees Die Cuts and Plastic Sheets. Straws are sold for $1.45 for 100 and plastic sheets are 50 cents.
You can purchase a kit from different retailers or the website, but even better, Grant Wood AEA Work Center can create a kit for you with our Strawbees die cuts. Or, you can come in and create your own and use different materials to create connectors, allowing students to test the qualities of different materials in different situations.
Strawbees Coding and Robotics Kit
There’s also a Coding and Robotics kit that includes a Quirkbot with a servo motor and LED lights to make your creation come to life. It can be coded with a Quirkbot account that uses simple drag and drop coding. But to be honest, I really love this as an unplugged Maker opportunity.

​There are also two different Strawbees apps to inspire creativity for kids that need a little nudge, Strawbees Instructions and Strawbees Connect (also available online). You do have to create an account, but students under 13 can use an account set-up by the teacher.  These apps would also be great to learn about different tips and tricks and give step-by-step tutorials to get you started. You can also upload your own creations to share with the Strawbees Community!

Looking to try these out? Contact your Digital Learning Consultant to borrow our set and see what your students think!

~Mindy Cairney, Digital Learning Consultant
​mcairney@gwaea.org

@TeamCairney
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