Creating a visual representation to compare attributes can significantly enhance the clarity and understanding of complex information. Canva is one tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools which invites users to design a two-set Venn diagram that effectively illustrates similarities and differences between two categories. With Canva, customize colors, add text labels, and adjust sizes to ensure your diagram matches your specific needs. Whether you’re a learner preparing a research project or a professional delivering a presentation, leveraging Canva’s tools for Venn diagrams can elevate your ability to communicate complex comparisons effectively. To learn more, visit Canva’s webpage on creating Venn Diagrams.
Category Archives: Research & Studying Supports
Supports for Research & Studying
Exploring Vocabulary With the Frayer Model Using Lucid
Originally designed as a tool to enhance understanding of vocabulary, the Frayer Model encourages learners to delve deeply into words by defining them, providing examples and non-examples, and connecting them to their own experiences in a consistently organized way. Lucid is one example of a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools that can be used to create a document where learners can interact with the Frayer Model. These documents can be used individually or collaboratively to explore vocabulary and define concepts.
Frayer Model Template Made Using Lucid
The video titled How To Use the Frayer Model by TeachLikeThis provides a description of the Frayer Model.
Your Invitation to Search the Inclusive Design Blog
Use the search feature of this blog located to find information in the backlog of content. If you’re looking for specific topics or articles, the search function is your gateway to a wealth of information tailored to your interests. The search feature is located in the top right corner of any blog post. Enter keywords related to the content you’d like to explore, and you’ll find a curated list of posts, insights, and educational insights meant to help create more inclusive experiences for all learners. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or other member of the community interested in inclusive design, this feature ensures you’re just a search away from enhancing your knowledge and skills.
Here are some potential keywords to start your search: accessibility, universal design, language, literacy, word prediction, Immersive Reader, and communication. Don’t let those samples limit you! What are you curious about right now? What’s a problem or challenge you’re facing? Enter in any thing you’re curious about to explore the results to find something useful from the archives. Happy searching!
3451 Khan Academy Resources on #GoOpenVA
#GoOpenVA is a resource from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It provides open source materials that can be used by any educator. One of the providers of resources is Khan Academy, which provides over 3450 pre-made lessons and accessible materials on a wide variety of topics.
A Screenshot of a Khan Academy lesson made in conjunction with Pixar Studios on Coordinate Planes.
Text to Speech in Content from Britannica School
Britannica School, a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools, provides resources with a built-in text to speech function which highlights the sentence being read aloud. The highlighting invites learners to follow along with their eyes to track the content. Text to speech is accessed by pressing the play icon located in different locations based on which level (elementary, middle, or high) is being used. Britannica School is available through LCPS Go.
Experiencing Ambient Noise and/or Images While Working By Choosing from a (Star Wars Lofi) Playlist
Prevent students and family members from being drawn to the Dark Side by inviting them to choose from a list of videos which play different ambient background music and images while they work on other projects all with the theme of Star Wars. Display on any screen, such as a Chromebook or shared interactive whiteboard, for a multi-modal sensory experience that is out of this world. This is the way to participate in Star Wars Day that invites choice, provides a soothing experience, and that helps provide rich opportunities for language expression! May the Fourth Be With You!
Collaboration Boards in NearPod
A function of Nearpod is an interactive, digital collaboration board where learners can share their ideas using a variety of modalities. They can record audio, upload video, type, and share images to express their thoughts.
Enjoy this short video reviewing the update which featured the new media formats.
Audio Recording and Transcription in Google Keep
Google Keep is a note taking application available to any student in Loudoun County Public Schools. One way users can take notes using a mobile device is by recording audio. The recorded audio is both saved and transcribed so the user can access the note again in their preferred modality. They can listen to the recorded audio, read the transcribed text, or do both! Watch this video titled Google Keep: Voice Notes and Transcription.
Organizing Information Using OneNote
OneNote is a tool included in the Microsoft Office Suite of programs. It acts as a digital binder where a user can keep notes in a variety of formats. Users can include text, audio, or photos and organize them using colored tabs in sections within a binder. Additional tabs and sections can be added and then rearranged as necessary. Every student in LCPS has access OneNote. Watch this short introductory video titled “What is OneNote?” to learn more about OneNote to decide if it might help you or a learner you support.
OneNote in Microsoft Office 365
A Strategy for Learning To Describe Anything
One strategy to help learners understand a particular concept is to systematically describe the salient features of that concept. Asking oneself a series of questions provides that individual with a system for how to understand the concept. Some sample questions might be as follows:
- What does it look, smell, taste, and/or feel like?
- What is it made out of it?
- Where does it come from?
- Where can it be found?
- What does it do?
- How is it used?
- What else do we know about it?
These questions can also be paired with colors, icons, and tactile symbols (like beads, 3D printed objects, or other materials) to provide a multimodal experience to help learners remember what to ask themselves. Placing the symbols in order, such as on a string or dowel, helps organize thinking into sequence helping to improve recall.
Watch the short video below to learn about one example of the implementation of this type of strategy.