Issue Number 2: January 19, 2001

National Consortium on Universal Design for Learning NEWS

GREETINGS, READERS

The Consortium Electronic Newsletter offers news about Universal Design for Learning(UDL)and will provide opportunities for sharing ideas with other professionals through the "MyCAST" Forum and on-line surveys. Since you are important to the success of this newsletter, we appreciate receiving feedback and comments.

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Focus for this Issue: Digital Media in the K - 12 Curriculum
2. Obtaining Digital Curriculum Content
3. Creating Digital Curriculum Content
4. Survey
5. Read the MyCAST Newsletter
6. Join a Forum
7. Visit Reading On Line
8. "HOT OFF THE PRESS"
9. Newsletter Archive
10. "On the Road" with CAST

ALSO...

The Consortium is pleased to sponsor the following workshop:
Improving Mathematics Instruction: A Diagnostic and Remedial Perspective on Mathematics Learning Problems, led by Mahesh Sharma, Professor of Education, Cambridge College, on Wednesday, March 14 from 3:45 to 5:15 at CAST 39 Cross Street, Peabody, MA 01960.
For more information, visit:
http://www.cast.org/udl/ImprovingMathematicsInstruction1240.cfm

AND...

Professional Development Opportunity - Sponsored by the Consortium:
International Symposium on Instructional Technology and Education of the Deaf
For more information, visit:
http://www.cast.org/udl/index.cfm?i=1370

1. FOCUS FOR THIS ISSUE: DIGITAL CONTENT IN THE K - 12 CURRICULUM

True UDL requires judgments, decisions, and thoughtful attention to the nature of curricular tasks and the means by which these tasks are communicated and carried out. Digital media is central to UDL. Learn more about digital media:
http://www.cast.org/udl/index.cfm?i=390

2. OBTAINING DIGITAL CURRICULUM CONTENT

Students with disabilities are entitled by Federal laws, especially the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to curricular materials that are in the most effective format for them. Digital media, by its very nature, is flexible and enables greater possibilities for access to curriculum for students with disabilities. How do I find digital content?
http://www.cast.org/udl/index.cfm?i=181

3. CREATING DIGITAL CONTENT

What are the guidelines for digitizing existing curriculum materials in order to make them more flexible so they can be used by learners across a broad spectrum of needs? Click here to find out:
http://www.cast.org/udl/index.cfm?i=182

4. SURVEY

Please take a few minutes to complete an on-line survey about accommodations that educators make for children with special needs:
http://www.cast.org/udl/index.cfm?i=1120

To complete the survey, you will need to log on at MyCAST.

5. READ THE MyCAST NEWSLETTER

The MyCAST newsletter is intended to keep you up to date on new developments on the CAST Web site. The newsletter will be sent only when the CAST web developers feel there is enough new information to warrant it. Check it out:
http://www.cast.org/mycast/index.cfm?i=1081

6. **JOIN A FORUM**

We encourage you to join a discussion on "Curriculum and Teacher Practice".
Visit the the main CAST Forum page:
http://www.cast.org/mycast

At the FORUM page you can subscribe to topics and receive email updates.

7. VISIT READING ON LINE (ROL)

ROL is a peer-reviewed journal of the International Reading Association, edited by Bridget Dalton of CAST, Peabody, Massachusetts, USA, and Dana L. Grisham of San Diego State University, California, USA. It is considered a leading online resource for the literacy-education community, offering articles, discussions, information about applying technology to educational communities, and more.
http://www.readingonline.org/default.asp

8. "HOT OFF THE PRESS"

New Article on Universal Design for Learning: Computer Technology Can Empower Students with Learning Disabilities
http://www.cast.org/udl/index.cfm?i=960

9. NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Online archive of the newsletter sent by e-mail to Affiliate Partners of the National Consortium on Universal Design for Learning:
http://www.cast.org/udl/index.cfm?i=1100

10. "ON THE ROAD" WITH CAST

Members of the CAST staff present at many conferences throughout the year. If CAST is in your area you might like to stop in at one of the presentations.

• Conference: Learning Disabilities Association, 38th Annual International Conference
  Location: New York Hilton, New York City
  URL: http://www.ldanatl.org/
  Date: Thursday, February 8, 2001
  Presentation title: "Reaching the Real World Through Technology for Adults with Learning Disabilities"
  Presenters: Dr. Ruth Gottesman - Director, Fisher Landau Center for the Treatment of LD,
  Dr. Mary Kelley - Associate Director, Fisher Landau Center for the Treatment of LD,
  Dr. Brenda Matthis - Sr. Educational Program Developer, CAST

• Conference: International Dyslexia Association - 8th Annual Conference, Towers of Knowledge
  Location: Marriott Hotel, World Trade Center, New York
  URL: http://www.interdys.org/3-ny.stm
  Date: March 2, 2001
  Presentation title: Universal Design for Leaning and Technology: What do they mean for our students?
  Presenter: Bart Pisha, PhD - Director of Research, CAST

• Conference: ASCD's 56th Annual Conference
  Location: Hynes Convention Center Boston, MA
  URL: http://www.ascd.org/frameconferences.html
  Date: Monday, March 19, 2001 10:30-12:00
  Presentation title: "Universal Design for Learning; A Framework for Teaching and Learning"
  Presenter: David Rose
  

  Come by and visit our booth at ASCD. Meet Nancy Schick, Sales and Marketing Manager

• Conference: CSUN's Sixteenth Annual International Conference, "Technology and Persons with Disabilities"
  Location: Los Angeles Airport Marriott
  URL: http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf2001/index.html
  Date: March 19 - 24, 2001
  Presenter: Michael Cooper
  

  Come by and visit our booth at CSUN. Meet Nancy Schick, Sales and Marketing Manager

• Conference: National Science Teacher's Convention
  Location: St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri
  URL: http://www.nsta.org/conv/natgen.asp
  Date: March 22 - 25, 2001
  

  Come by and visit our booth. Meet Nancy Schick, Sales and Marketing Manager

• Conference: 2001: A Reading Odyssey, hosted by Massachusetts Reading Association
  Location: Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, Sturbridge, Massachusetts
  URL: http://www.massreading.org/annconf.html
  Date: March 19, 2001
  Presenter: Dr. Bridget Dalton, Senior Research Scientist
  

Thank you for your interest in CAST and our work.

Grace J. Meo
Director of Programs and Services
gmeo@CAST.org

CONTENTS COPYRIGHT 2000 CAST. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.