Toolboxing

Looking for a fun and creative way to organize resources and information for your students? Consider “Toolboxing”! Toolboxing is gaining popularity among educators who are seeking to provide easy access to resources, information, relevant research, guides, templates, or other materials and supports. 

Check out the examples and application tips below to learn more!

Expand All | Collapse All

• EXAMPLES

  Examine selected websites for examples of and guides for creating Toolboxes:

  (2021, September 21). Toolkit: What is it & how to create the perfect one? Link blog. https://blog.elink.io/toolkit/

  (2017). Getting started | Diversity and Identity Toolkit. Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. https://ccdi.ca/media/1587/toolkit-1-getting-started-diversity-and-identity.pdf (PDF)

  (2023). U.S. Department of Education Toolkit: Creating Inclusive and Nondiscriminatory School Environments for LGBTQI+ Students. U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/lgbtqi-student-resources-toolkit-062023.pdf (PDF)

  Create a toolbox for care. facing history & ourselves. https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/create-toolbox-care(opens in new window)

  Resource toolbox. Tonia Kendrick. https://toniakendrick.com/resource-toolbox/(opens in new window)

  (2006). Welcome to toolbox project. Toolbox project. https://toolboxproject.com/(opens in new window)

• APPLICATION

  Ready to create a Toolbox as a resource for your teaching? Here are steps to get you started:

  1. Identify the key audience(s) for the toolkit - What is the purpose of the Toolbox? How and by whom will the toolbox be accessed?
  2. Determine the scope of the toolkit - what content (case studies, best and emerging practices, models, resources, information, etc) should be included? 
  3. Come up with a strategy for collecting content - consider creating a cloud-based folder or using a web-based platform (e.g., Padlet) to store content for easy digital access.
  4. Vet the collected content - be sure to provide access to practical resources, practices, information, and tools that support students in making real-world connections to learning. 
  5. Organize resources into a logical format, and create/adapt content (as needed) to build a cohesive, living document.

  What can be included in a Toolbox? The possibilities are endless! Here are some ideas:

  • Annotated bibliographies - consider providing easy access to current and relevant research. These can include but are not limited to articles, books, webinars, podcasts, videos, websites, reports, replicable materials, etc.
  • Relevant Resources - These can include guidelines, position papers, issue papers, blog posts, journal articles, books, wiki pages, on-demand webinars, websites, events, templates, etc.
  • Emerging & Best Practices - consider providing access to emerging and best practices and strategies. These can include but are not limited to guides, case studies, websites, research, etc.

This Teaching Guide was created by participants of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Faculty Learning Community (FLC).