Equity and UDL

1. What does the research say about this?

Not every student has access to the internet or a computer. There are places in Utah where schools only have 50% of their students have a computer or tablet. This is according to the Utah School Technology Inventory Report found at https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-approaches/educational-strategies/universal-design-for-learning-what-it-is-and-how-it-works. This creates a disadvantage to those students without a computer. They do not learn the necessary skills needed in the work force. Having computers in the class helps UDL or different ways to engage students according to their needs.

2. How can this be effectively integrated into your teaching?

UDL means having more than one way for kids to learn and express their knowledge of the content. If I was teaching similar triangles I would provide a video with closed caption as well as some group learning and instruction. As the article, "Universal Design For Learning (UDL): What you need to know" states, The goal of UDL is to use a variety of teaching methods to remove any barriers to learning and give all students equal opportunities to succeed. It’s about building in flexibility that can be adjusted for every student’s strengths and needs. That’s why UDL benefits all kids.

3. How will this help your students?

This will help students with attention issues to be more involved since they will be moving around and it is not just a lecture. This will also help students with hearing impairments so since they will have a video with closed caption and not have to depend on just the lecture.

4. What are your goals with regard to this topic?

I want to make sure I learn more ways to integrate technology into my teaching and to make lesson plans that already have accommodations for students in them. That way the lesson caters to all students instead of the ones that don't need help.

5. How does this shape your vision for empowered learning for your students?

I want a classroom that is built more on discovery then lecture. Having tools for different ways that students can express their knowledge will help students to feel like they have options in the class and that they are not forced into doing this as much. It will also give students a way to show their knowledge through different means.

Sources

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-approaches/educational-strategies/universal-design-for-learning-what-it-is-and-how-it-works

https://www.uen.org/digital-learning/downloads/2017inventory/UtahSchoolTechnologyInventoryReport.pdf