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Science Writer: A Universal Design for Learning Approach to Support Writing Science Reports. Elizabeth Murray & Tracey Hall. International Reading Association Literacy and Science: Exploring Connections T hat P romote E ngaged Learning May 8, 2011.
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Science Writer: A Universal Design for Learning Approach to Support Writing Science Reports Elizabeth Murray & Tracey Hall International Reading Association Literacy and Science: Exploring Connections That Promote Engaged Learning May 8, 2011
CAST is currently located in Harvard Mills Square, Wakefield, MA.
Mission Founded in 1984, CAST is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to expand educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities through the development and innovative uses of technology.
Universal Design for Learning Three Principles • Multiple Meansof Representation • Multiple Means of Action and Expression • Multiple Means of Engagement http://sciencewriter.cast.org
Rubrics to Support Content Revisions Introduction Methods Conclusion Results
Additional features: • Progress monitoring • Practice • Teacher side Research Version of Science Writer
Science Writer Research Schools • Four in suburban Boston • Four in Lawrence, KS Subjects • Science Writer – 396 • Word Processing – 212
Science Writer Research Background Measures • Gates-MacGinitie • Keyboarding Writing Measures (content & mechanics) • Baseline report (pretest) • Final report (posttest) • Progress monitoring
Science Writer Research Usage Measures • Student surveys • Electronic event log
Science Writer Research • Both groups improved in content (F=71.51, p<.01) • Science Writer group showed greater improvement than word processing group (t=2.37, p<.05) • 72% of students felt Science Writer helped them improve their writing
Science Writer Research Improvement in writing associated with: • Paragraph headings and sentence starters • Use of animated agents for hints and modeling