Discovery Education provides many supports for all types of learners—including Special Education—through the use of instructional strategies and the features of multimodal text and resources.
Based on CAST’S UDL Guidelines
Provide Multiple Means of Engagement
This is the WHY of learning as we work to create purposeful and motivated learners. When we provide multiple means of engagement, we provide options for:
- Recruiting Interest
- Sustaining Effort and Persistence
- Self Regulation
Searching for Resources
Discovery Education offers a wide variety of resources including videos, images, audiobooks, poetry, podcasts, songs, interactive activities, and reading passages. The high quality multimodal digital content, differentiation tools, and language support will bolster teaching and learning in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
In addition to searching for topics based on student interests, teachers and students can filter all resources by grade band, reading level, and language in selecting appropriate resources to help develop background knowledge which will increase student motivation. | LEARN MORE ABOUT SEARCHING FOR RESOURCES.
Interactive Resources
Discovery Education interactives range from Skill Builders and Games to Explorations and Virtual Labs - all providing scaffolds through different levels or student guides to support students in reviewing concepts and exploring their interests even further. | LEARN MORE ABOUT INTERACTIVES.
Student Experience
Discovery Education’s Student Center extends the learning environment during- and after-school through teacher-curated content and assignments, and through student-initiated exploration. To support students in using Discovery Education for learning, Discovery Education offers how-to guides in student-friendly language on topics such as researching, studying, and communicating ideas with Discovery Education. Included with each guide is also a Studio Board which can be assigned to students to learn the ins and outs of Discovery Education. | LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE.
Provide Multiple Means of Representation
This is the WHAT of learning as we work to create resourceful and knowledgeable learners. When we provide multiple means of representation, we provide options for:
- Perception
- Language & Symbols
- Comprehension
Closed Caption and Transcripts
Discovery Education feature videos with closed caption and transcripts that provide additional support for students. Closed caption and video transcript features provide an additional modality of print text when paired with a video’s visuals and audio. Closed captions are a powerful tool for students to fully understand key concepts, especially when dealing with technical subjects. Closed captions support students with word knowledge, information retention, content recall, nuanced language, and syntax. The settings for closed captions can be adjusted to modify text color, background color, and font size. Transcripts provide similar support as Closed Captioning, but are searchable for specific vocabulary. | LEARN MORE ABOUT CLOSED CAPTIONS AND TRANSCRIPTS.
Text Support
Because verbal skills develop more quickly than reading and writing skills, students may understand what is read aloud, even if they cannot read it themselves. All Discovery Education text resources include a read-aloud feature so that students can hear and understand the content. Settings can be adjusted to modify reading speed, highlight settings, font changes, and text mode settings. Additionally, additional tools such as a page mask and tracking ruler support students as they read. | LEARN MORE ABOUT TEXT FEATURES.
Audio Resources
The digital nature of content such as songs and podcasts, provides additional opportunities for students to interact with when learning new content. Many of Discovery Education’s audio resources include printed lyrics or speech transcripts to make the resource accessible to all students regardless of reading or language ability. | LEARN MORE ABOUT AUDIO RESOURCES.
Image Resources
High-quality, multimodal content provides multiple representations of ideas and aids students in developing content knowledge. Discovery Education’s expansive image library is useful for providing background information for students and allows them to engage with content. | LEARN MORE ABOUT IMAGE RESOURCES.
Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression
This is the HOW of learning as we work to create strategic and goal-directed learners. When we provide multiple means of action and expression, we provide options for:
- Physical Action
- Expression & Communication
- Executive Functions
Assign Content
With Discovery Education, all resources are assignable. Teachers can assign content to individuals, groups, or the entire class which allows the class to work on comparable assignments with varied content and tasks. Teachers can find similar resources in content, but vary in level, and assign the resource to groups of students to ensure students are learning the same content - but in a format that best meets their needs. | LEARN MORE ABOUT ASSIGNING CONTENT.
Studio
Discovery Education Studio provides students with a platform to demonstrate their understanding of a concept by integrating Discovery Education content as well as their own self-created content, like videos, images, oral text, and more. Educators can record directions and upload it as a file to Studio so that students can more easily interact with the same content as their peers. Resources can be curated on a board to guide learning and boards can be differentiated to meet the needs of the student. Just like other resources, Studio Boards can be assigned to a whole class, group of students, or a single student. | LEARN MORE ABOUT STUDIO.
Instructional Strategies
SOS Instructional Strategies provide instructional ideas that encourage students to learn new content through meaningful use and interaction. The SOS Instructional Strategies give concrete strategies for engaging with multimodal text. Students are able to practice key skills such as summarizing, compare and contrast, citing evidence, questioning, and so much more when these strategies are combined with digital resources. Additional resources such as graphic organizers and student-facing videos are available to scaffold strategies and learning for students. | EXPLORE THE SPOTLIGHT ON STRATEGIES OR GET STARTED WITH OUR TOP 10 LIST FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.