This week’s topic on EdTechTalk.com’s seedlings was universal design for learning (UDL) and assistive technology (AT). UDL is a concept in learning that comes out of the principle of universal design in architecture, which is the practice of making buildings accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. A prime example of this is a wheelchair ramp; another is a drinking fountain with two spouts and basins, one shorter than the other to make the water fountain accessible to individuals who cannot reach the higher one. UDL applies this same concept to the educational settings, where some students may require specially designed devices to access educational resources. This is where AT comes in. Devices such as keyboards with larger keys for students who have difficulty with visual impairments or fine motor control difficulties, auditory trainers for students with hearing impairments, or recording devices for students who have difficulty focusing in class, and who may benefit from being able to revisit what was said in class discussion, are examples of AT and UDL.
This episode of Seedlings made it clear that these tools need not be limited to special education, but may benefit students of different learning styles as well. For instance, it was suggested in the podcast that it may be beneficial for auditory learners to use audio books or the text-to-speech function offered on many computers as ATs to help them engage with educational material in a more effective manner. Helping students gain an understanding of what type of learners they are (e.g. auditory, visual, kinesthetic, etc.) was an important side-note that arose during the discussion. This week’s guest, Chris Bugaj, co-author of The Practical and Fun Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools offers ideas and advice for advocates of AT to influence change in their schools as well as offering ideas to professionals wanting to use AT in the classroom.
I thought this was a very interesting blog. I once working with a child with autism in a regular Kindergarten class and he did very well in the classroom but there were little issues he had. For example during circle time (where all the students sat on the floor) he had a very hard time staying in an upright seated position, I think he had weak core muscles so it was harder for him to sit up for longer periods of times. Because of this he would start to lay down and this would cause him to participate in class less and laying down obviously makes a 5-6 year old sleepy. The teacher would constantly have to tell him to sit up, but after reading this I wonder if there was a way they could have solved this problem? Maybe given him a letting beach type chair that sits close to the ground so that he wouldn’t have to be seated higher than other students but it would keep him upright w/o him having to full keep himself in that seated position.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I myself am a very visual learner so just listening to a teacher lecture or reading in a book isn’t the best way for me to learn. I always enjoyed watching videos in class and not because it felt like getting out of doing class work but because I felt like I got more out of seeing examples or actually watching cause and effect scenarios. I think this is a great idea and one that should be taken very seriously by schools. I mean after all EVERYONE learns differently so why would we teach them all the same way?
I also think this is a very interesting blog. I work in a full inclusion setting with some pull outs but most of the students stay in the main stream classroom. We have students who use alphaamrts, dino boxes, as well as many other forms of assistave technology. Without these pieces of technology I think some of my children would be lost. Many student I have rely on their technology to get them through classes on day to day basis. When one of them breaks the students are lost without them. Many of the text books we use in school also have an online component which students use both in the classrooms and at home. This helps those students who are visual learners as opposed to auditory learners, and vise versa. Great Blog!
ReplyDeleteI think that it would be very beneficial to the students to offer different means of doing assignments. You mentioned that many computer offer text-to-speech and that audio books are widely used as well. It would be great for the students to have different options; they could read the book or listen to the book. I think that it encompasses such a wide array of students that I cannot see a downside to offering this in the classroom. Imagine if a student is taking a trip somewhere with their family, they would not have to lug their book with them, they could just download the audio for the book and listen to it on the way. There are so many ways in which students would be able to use this that it is such a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteAs a person who wants to teach English, I could utilize these tools on a daily basis in my class, so I thank you for sharing!
Cassi