Toolbelt Theory
Developed by Ira Socol, the tool belt theory suggests that historically all humans are tool users, where they had to figure out how to survive by analyzing the situation, and make decisions based on the environment, their own skills, and the tools they had available to them, in order
to survive, and hopefully thrive. Using the acronym TEST (Task - Environment - Skills - Tool) it says that we must teach our students how to analyze tasks, the task-completion environment, their own skills and capabilities, and appropriate range of available tools, and let them begin to make their own educational choices and decisions (SpeEdChange). The goal behind the tool belt theory is to empower students to have a voice in their educational decisions, and be able to figure out which tools work best for them in any given situation, educational or not. This resourceful strategy mirrors decisions students will have to make in their real lives outside of school, breaks the dependence cycle on teachers, and helps develop lifelong skill |
Student profile:
Adam (*name has been changed for privacy) has a learning disability in written expression, and requires additional support in reading comprehension.
Part of his IEP goals this school year have been to:
- use reading and writing strategies to improve his ability to express and organize his ideas and understanding of curriculum.
- learn to manage and use electronic versions of all course material to support his reading comprehension/word reading fluency
- learn and use active reading strategies to improve reading comprehension/fluency and writing (making strong connections, ideas supported by strong evidence)
- will use writing structures to organize his ideas into a cohesive piece of writing
For this assignment, I have focused most of my tools within the Google suite, as it is what our school uses most.
Examples of Tools to Access Learning Material:
My classes have Chromebooks available to them, and I use Google Classroom as the online platform for all of my classes. By posting learning material online, it helps meet the needs of my students by being able to access learning material in an organized way, whenever the want. While I also provide hard copies, students who struggle with organization such as Adam, always have a back up if they lose them.
Using the tools made available through Google, such as Docs, Forms, Slides, and Sheets, Adam is able to work on his assignments while myself, his peers, or learning resource aid can also be working on or looking at the document. This helps provide quicker feedback on items that he may be doing incorrectly, or helps keep him on task by holding him accountable.
Examples of Tools for Written Output and Reading:
Chromebooks: As mentioned above, Chromebooks allow students to type work instead of having to write it out by hand. To meet Adam's needs, I offer both printed and electronic versions of all documents and assignments. Being able to manipulate a Chromebook by both touching the screen, and through typing, help him produce more assignments in a timely manner.
Template Gallery: Within Google Docs, provides templates to help students organize information.
Link Here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/template-gallery/depgappokkobahhoficldfjnjaamojap?hl=en
MindMeister: This is more of an organizational tool, but is useful in both reading and writing. MindMeister is an online "mind map" tool that allows students to be creative in organizing what they are reading, or planning, so they it makes sense to them. It is shareable with others as a collaborative tool.
Link here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mindmeister/bdehgigffdnkjpaindemkaniebfaepjm?hl=en
Mercury Reader: One of the most successful tools we have used with Adam has been the Google Chrome extension, Mercury Reader. It " removes ads and distractions, leaving only text and images for a clean and consistent reading view on every site."
Link here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mercury-reader/oknpjjbmpnndlpmnhmekjpocelpnlfdi?hl=en
Google Read and Write: See page here for detailed information on Google Read&Write
Voice Note II: A simple and functional notepad that allows students to dictate their written work and it is typed for them (speech to text).
Link here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/voicenote-ii-speech-to-te/hfknjgplnkgjihghcidajejfmldhibfm?hl=en
Examples of Tools to Access Learning Material:
My classes have Chromebooks available to them, and I use Google Classroom as the online platform for all of my classes. By posting learning material online, it helps meet the needs of my students by being able to access learning material in an organized way, whenever the want. While I also provide hard copies, students who struggle with organization such as Adam, always have a back up if they lose them.
Using the tools made available through Google, such as Docs, Forms, Slides, and Sheets, Adam is able to work on his assignments while myself, his peers, or learning resource aid can also be working on or looking at the document. This helps provide quicker feedback on items that he may be doing incorrectly, or helps keep him on task by holding him accountable.
Examples of Tools for Written Output and Reading:
Chromebooks: As mentioned above, Chromebooks allow students to type work instead of having to write it out by hand. To meet Adam's needs, I offer both printed and electronic versions of all documents and assignments. Being able to manipulate a Chromebook by both touching the screen, and through typing, help him produce more assignments in a timely manner.
Template Gallery: Within Google Docs, provides templates to help students organize information.
Link Here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/template-gallery/depgappokkobahhoficldfjnjaamojap?hl=en
MindMeister: This is more of an organizational tool, but is useful in both reading and writing. MindMeister is an online "mind map" tool that allows students to be creative in organizing what they are reading, or planning, so they it makes sense to them. It is shareable with others as a collaborative tool.
Link here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mindmeister/bdehgigffdnkjpaindemkaniebfaepjm?hl=en
Mercury Reader: One of the most successful tools we have used with Adam has been the Google Chrome extension, Mercury Reader. It " removes ads and distractions, leaving only text and images for a clean and consistent reading view on every site."
Link here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mercury-reader/oknpjjbmpnndlpmnhmekjpocelpnlfdi?hl=en
Google Read and Write: See page here for detailed information on Google Read&Write
Voice Note II: A simple and functional notepad that allows students to dictate their written work and it is typed for them (speech to text).
Link here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/voicenote-ii-speech-to-te/hfknjgplnkgjihghcidajejfmldhibfm?hl=en