Project Director
Anne Meyer, Ed.D, CAST
Funder
The New York Community Trust
Timeframe
2004-2007
Project Description
Through the UDL Multimedia Initiative, CAST has been able to explore and articulate how new multimedia technologies can best be employed in the classroom and integrated across CAST’ projects.
The initiative has focused in two main areas: Teaching and Learning Tools––developing prototypes for classroom use; and Communications––using multimedia tools to convey CAST’s UDL message. The Multimedia Initiative has impacted virtually every CAST project and added important innovations in the design of cross-platform animated coaches/agents and in the design of multimedia supports for teachers. The coaches/agents, for example, can each perform a variety of actions, speak typed text, and are easily programmable for integration into CAST’s prototypes and products. Examples of cross-platform agents can be seen in the UDL Book Builder™, UDL Editions, Lesson Builder™, Strategy Tutor™, and the prototype Think Like a Historian .
The Multimedia Initiative has supported and enhanced CAST’s communications with many audiences, including educators, policy makers, parents, peer organizations and researchers, and the general public. Projects over the four years include: the creation of a multimedia library of nearly 6,000 video, audio, and image resources; re-design of CAST’s website; and contributions to publications about CAST and the field of UDL. This four year initiative has given CAST a solid foundation as we continue to create powerful multimedia solutions that meet the challenge of classroom diversity and prepare all students to be lifelong learners through the framework of Universal Design for Learning.
