Using Book Creator for Differentiated Learning

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

In this book:

Introduction ........................................................................................

Teaching and learning through Universal Design for Learning ....

Multiple Means of Engagement ........................................................

Multiple Means of Representation ....................................................

Multiple Means of Action and Expression .......................................

Book Creator in the classroom: some specific examples .............

Concluding comments .......................................................................

About the author .................................................................................

Additional resources for teachers .....................................................

Introduction

Book Creator is the perfect app to support student variability in the classroom.

Book Creator's multimodal tools and supports make lessons accessible while building in student voice and choice.

As educators, we understand that our students bring different learner profiles, strengths, challenges and interests to learning. Meeting student variability and planning differing approaches can be a challenge. Differentiated instruction gives students multiple options for taking in information, making sense of the ideas and then expressing what they know. We need to plan alternative approaches to what students need to learn, how they will learn it, and how they will show what they have learned. Join me as we explore a variety of ways to use Book Creator to support student variability.

What will you find in this book?

In this book you will find examples and practical tips on how Book Creator can be used to differentiate lessons for students in your classroom. You will find a variety of options to customize the user experience which enables students to document their learning while keeping the focus on demonstrating understanding and curriculum access.

Book Creator has tools that can support the three principals of Universal Design for Learning. Students bring different gifts and challenges to the classroom. Looking through a UDL lens helps us to identify barriers to learning. We will explore how Book Creator can be used for both teachers and students to create content and demonstrate thinking.

Teaching and learning through Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework which guides teachers in the planning for systematic support of learner variability in their classroom.

Why Book Creator and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?

Universal Design for Learning is a content-based framework which is aimed at meeting student variability in a classroom. UDL plays a significant role in making the curriculum accessible while providing options for students to demonstrate their understanding and become expert learners.

Book Creator offers a range of tools to customize and present curriculum content to support learners. The multimodal tools allow for personalizing the user experience while minimizing barriers and maximizing access to both information and learning. We will explore ways that Book Creator can be used to differentiate lessons and provide accessibility for all your students.

Mockup of a laptop and tablet with Book Creator books on display

Universal Design for Learning uses three guiding principles:

Multiple Means of Engagement:
Learners differ greatly in how they can be engaged or motivated to learn. We have learners that like to work independently, while others prefer to work with peers. Some like spontaneity and novelty while others prefer a predictable format.

Diagram showing Engagement, Representation and Action & Expression

CAST (2018). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.2.

Multiple Means of Representation: Learners differ in how they comprehend and perceive information. There needs to be many avenues in which information is presented for them to make connections with the content. Some students grasp information more readily when presented visually or auditorily rather than text alone. There is no one means for representing curriculum that will meet the needs of all students.

Multiple Means of Action and Expression: Students differ in the ways they can navigate their environment and demonstrate an understanding for what they have learned. We have students that can express themselves through written text; whereas, some students struggle with organizing their ideas in written form but can talk about any subject you give them. Recognizing the need to provide learners with the structure and options to show what they know through a variety of modalities is essential.

MULTIPLE MEANS OF

ENGAGEMENT

In this chapter:

Multiple Means of Engagement ............................................

1. Teacher created interactive notebooks ..............................

2. Changing the medium ...........................................................

3. Multiple accessibility options................................................

4. Choice Boards.........................................................................

5. Collaboration...........................................................................

6. Graphic Organizer Templates...............................................

7. Publishing to an authentic audience ..................................

Multiple Means of Engagement

Students differ greatly in how they can be engaged and motivated. They differ in learning styles and interests.

The tools in Book Creator offer teachers a myriad of ways to present content. Our goal as educators is to engage students while providing opportunities for student agency.

Digital materials can provide multiple means for students to access and process information. Listening, reading or interactive assignments can assist in the learning process.

Book Creator offers differing ways for students to demonstrate their learning:

Multimedia presentations
Video reflections
Written responses
Concept maps using shapes
Comic layouts as digital posters

Book Creator allows teachers to represent content through images, video, symbols, text, drawings and audio. Content can vary page to page to keep students engaged, motivated and on task.

Visual

Tactile

Screenshot of the Book Creator Media menu

Auditory

MULTIPLE MEANS OF ENGAGEMENT

1. Teacher created interactive notebooks

Scaffolding content through the use of interactive notebooks is easy with Book Creator. Interactive notebooks can house varying ranges of supports and resources in a variety of formats.

Teachers can differ the range of complexity, resources and activities all within a single notebook. Students have a variety of tools to demonstrate understanding. Interactive notebooks are mistake tolerant. Content can be moved, copied, modified and linked to outside resources. Text can be supported with images and video explanations. It can be read aloud and ideas can be dictated, edited and all with spelling support.

Useful Links

The Ultimate Guide to Embedding Content

Workflow with Airdrop with iPads

Backing up and sharing your book in Google Drive

Experiment 14A: Heating Baking Soda

Science Notebook
WPS Middle School

MULTIPLE MEANS OF ENGAGEMENT

2. Changing the medium

Changing the medium can be a great way to keep students engaged with learning.

Using comics as a narrative experience can make the writing and reading process more manageable.

Comics provide authentic learning opportunities while decreasing the amount of text used, lessening the reading and writing demands.

They give students the opportunity to read material that by nature has built in supports through images, text and symbols.

Sorting and classifying is a standard activity in many classrooms. Creating digital options for students with motor challenges makes this task accessible.

Sorting Activity with audio instructions to move the objects to the correct color.
Kennedy School, Cupertino CA.

MULTIPLE MEANS OF ENGAGEMENT

3. Multiple accessibility options

Book Creator provides several options for student access. Students can use a mouse, touch, stylus, and keyboard depending on their device. Some students may also use switch access.

Using two switches on an iPad: one for page turning and one to read the book.
Video compliments of Wendy Buckley, Assistive Technology Specialist, Teacher, Perkins School f/t Blind.