A Response to Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning: Two Sides of the Same Coin

                              

This article Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning: Two Sides of the Same Coin does a great job explaining the relationship between Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Assistive Technology (AT).  According to Rose, Hasselbring, Stahl and Zabala, AT is modern technology which helps individual students overcome curriculum barriers, allowing specific students accessibility to all curriculum outcomes.  UDL is technology that is used to target the specific curriculum, creating learning outcomes and environments which are accessible to all learners, regardless of specific disabilities or learning challenges.  UDL is achieved by employing modern technologies, and for UDL to be achieved in classrooms, it is important that educators have a solid understanding of the AT that is available (Rose, Hasselbring, Stahl and Zabala, 2004). 

UDL and AT are strongly related, but it is important to note they are not the same.  It is important to have a strong knowledge of the Assistive Technologies that are available when designing curriculum that is accessible to all students.  When I think about my upcoming assignment (Grade 2/3 English classroom) and how I can create learning outcomes and a learning environment which is accessible to all, iPads are my first thought.  Through this course, I have learned a great deal about what is available.  Although I am not lucky enough to have a class set of iPads, there will be a class set available for school use.  Using programs such as iTunesU, to develop unit plans and interactive units, is essential to creating a classroom focused on the principles of UDL.  Through iTunesU, I can compile a large amount of interactive books, websites, videos and apps related to curriculum areas.  I have already started thinking about the possibilities for the Magnets Unit that I will be teaching next year.  The iPad allows for exciting possibilities for both myself and my students, and I am excited to start my planning.  

It is important that educators are educated on new and exciting learning principles like UDL and the possibilities of AT.  Without that education there will be little growth (in my opinion), which is important as our students and world are changing rapidly with technology.  It is my hope that through my own knowledge I can help to educate some teachers who may desire it, or collaborate with teachers who are willing, to develop co-planned and joint units on subjects.  That way, collaboration and the use of all curriculum resources can be used to support student engagement and learning. 

A link to the article can be found here.