SDIs in Virtual Learning Environments: Instructional SDIs (Post #4)

By Cassie Brusch – Project Consultant

SDI VE 4

When looking at instructional SDIs (specially designed instruction) in the online environment, it is important to maintain our focus around the teacher’s delivery of instruction.  Student needs are common in this area and there are many tools and resources available to use; which means many of these tools and strategies can translate back into the traditional classroom setting as well. 

Some Instructional Examples

One common instructional accommodation is to provide audio recordings of text for the student.  Teachers can use text-to-speech tools to allow text to be read aloud to students. Additionally, teachers could record themselves reading the text and allow students access to those recordings through a variety of modes.  Other students often benefit from this practice as well.  

A common instructional modification is to provide “alternative project(s)” opportunities to the student.  This can be implemented through the use of digital tools which provide students a variety of choices on presentation modes, through tools such as Flipgrid, Google Slides, Loom, etc. 

More instructional SDI examples are provided by PaTTAN in the charts below.

Instructional SDI snapshot
Instructional SDI snapshot
Instructional SDI snapshot

Full PaTTAN Guide

PaTTAN has developed this resource, which includes information about SDIs (specially designed instruction) and how to implement SDIs in virtual environments. In virtual environments these accommodations and modifications are implemented with digital tools and resources and IEP team members must be aware of how they are implemented. 

As this series continues, we will continue to look at how SDIs can be implemented in virtual environments. These virtual tools can be used in traditional classrooms as well. 

MORE FROM THIS SERIES

This series will continue with various SDIs in virtual environments. We will dive deeper into Student Work SDIs, Physical SDIs, and finally we will wrap this series up with Executive Functioning SDIs. 

For more information see the full resource here.

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