Assistant Technology

In Instructional Technology and Learning this week we delved into equal access to technology and assistive technology. I found this week very interesting and eye opening. I have never had the opportunity to teach individuals that used any type of assistant devices or work with these devices to create modified engaging assignments. Therefore, having the opportunity to conduct research and watch/read articles on the topic was very insightful.

The primary purpose os AD (assistant devices) is to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence to facilitate participation in the classroom. It is amazing how far technology and education has come, 20 years ago most of what we have now was not even possible. Many student service children would fall under the cracks or get lost in translation because what they needed was not accessible to them. It is wonderful to know that adaptable mice, switch boards, TTS technology, Brail keyboards and much more are now available for students.

Overall assistant devices are essential for many students and it is the teachers responsibility to learn about the device and support the student.

Universal Design for Learning

In addition to Assistant Technology we also learned more about Universal Design for Learning. UDL is an educational framework thats purpose is to guide teachers in creating lessons and a classroom environment encourages flexible learning and can accommodate individual learning differences. There are three main principles to UDL; engagement, representation, and expression.

While reading more about UDL I found it surprising that this educational framework is not more wildly implemented and supported. This framework supports both students and teachers. Its goal is to not create cookie cutter classrooms with “disabled curriculum” but rather inspire students and individualize learning.

All in all ULD wants to create learners who can assess their own learning and feel responsible in their understanding; this should be the goal of all educators. The only way to help raise and educate students to become intellectual well functioning adults is to encourage them in taking a lead in their learning. Encouraging students to want to learn is the only way to truly educate.