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Digital Learning and Universal Design

Universal Design:

Everyone learns in different ways and at a different pace. Universal design is a way to ensure that all students get a equal chance to learn in a way that fits each student.  

So how can technology help?

​The whole idea of UDL is to find alternate and new ways to teach a variety of individual learners. So, as the use of technology grows so will the necessity to bring it into learning. As new materials and technologies are developed, they need to be looked at to see how they can be implemented  into the educational design. They also need to be flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of learning styles. Because technology is ever growing and changing, it allows teachers to find many new ways to reach students they would not be able to reach in a standard teaching forum. The use of technology often evens the playing field for some students and make the learning more equal, which is the goal of UDL.

Ways Technology helps in UDL

​Planning: The use of technology allows teachers to easier customize their lessons to fit the varying needs of their students. Technology also allows teachers to make last minute changes to the lesson plan if an immediate need arises. With technology, teachers can utilize the support of teachers from around the globe in minutes. In the past, teachers could only gain assistance from the faculty around them and it is very possible, that they would not receive the specific help they needed because other teachers in that school did not have experience with the issue. Now, a teacher can easily access teachers and specialist in all areas so, they are getting the best advice possible on reaching their students with various learning needs.

​Students: For students, technology helps fill in the gap and it evens the field a little. It allows students who struggled before to feel "normal" within their classroom. Technology keeps the students engaged and with students who have trouble engaging, this is a very important feature. Students can use technology to receive extra help outside of the classroom with use of resources such as Khan Academy  or Spell City. This extra help can make a huge difference in the students understanding.  

​Assessment: Technology gives teachers the ability to assess the students without a bunch of test. There are many technologically based learning programs the teacher can use in the classroom that also keeps track of the students progress. The teacher can use these programs with their curriculum and be able to see how and individual student is doing and how the class is doing as a whole. An e-clicker program is one example. This allows the student to answer questions displayed on the smart board using a clicker and those answers go to the teachers computer.

​Parents:Technology can even help the teacher assist the students by keeping the parents involved in their learning. This can be done with use of blogs, web pages and social networking.

Tech Tools

​For this I thought it would just be best to compile a list of possible tech tools you can use in your classroom as reference.

​Khan Academy: www.khanacademy.org  Allows students to work at their own pace with assistance. It also tracks progress for the teacher.

​Popplet:  www.popplet.com this is a graphic organizing site that allows students to organize their thoughts and ideas.

Spelling City: www.spellingcity.com This program allows the teacher to insert the student s spelling words into the program for more practice.

​Number Navigator: ​Helps students with fine motor skills with setting up problems.

Quizlet: ww​w.quizlet.com this is a flashcard website to help with studying. 

​Natural Reader: Converts any written text into spoken word, this includes classroom notes.

​Power Talk: Is a free program that will present a slide show or power point for a student who has trouble speaking.

Full Time Online Learning:

​Online learning is learning that takes place by use of the internet and not a teacher in a classroom. This is a growing form of learning especially in the homeschooling groups.  There are many pros and cons to this style of learning. It can be a good thing for some students but, a horrible idea for others. This is one of those educational styles that needs to be based on the student to know if it is the right choice and I do not feel it should be used as an option in a classroom for all students all the time. I feel there still needs to be a major emphasis on face to face teaching and interacting. But, for those students that absolutely not be in the classroom for what ever reason, it is a good option. It would also serve as a good supplement to a general classroom by offering a class the teacher would not normal be able to offer.  It also offers a great alternative for college age students seeking a degree but do not have time to attend regular classes.

PROS

• It is available anywhere
• It is at your own pace
• There is less cost
• Allows student to review when they need to
• ​Good for college students
  

CONS

• It requires strong self discipline
• Little to no face on face interaction with teacher and other students.
• ​Student needs to have a good understanding of the internet, if you are not computer savvy, you may struggle