Our students education is held at a high standard we want
all our students to reach their expectations and meet required standards. By
using the Universal
Design for Learning (UDL) we can make sure all students have an equal
opportunity in their education. Creating a wider range of learning for our most
diverse students by various ways of representing information, allowing multiple
ways for students to express what they've learned and by keeping them engaged, while challenging them and inspiring them to
learn more. (Maloy et al., 2013 p. 250) There are many different ways to
represent information whether it be by power point presentation, lecture, etc.
each way is unique to a student's way of learning and understanding information
being delivered. Students love to express what they've learned allow them to
show it by doing more than taking assessments, projects and experiments are
great! One of the hardest things is to keep students engaged. By becoming well
in tuned with what they like and incorporating it, they will become engrossed
in the curriculum.
The amount of linguistically diverse learners is increasing.
With more accessible resources such as the internet, it is much easier for students
to be involved and follow the curriculum while they learn English. As well as
for those students who speak English and would like to learn other languages. (Maloy
et al., 2013 p. 247) Google translate is a free website or app that is easily
and widely used to translate words and sentences. By typing in
"Hello" in English then clicking translate in Spanish Google will
give you the most common translation "Ola" and list below other words
that it also translates as 'hello'. This website can be used on computers and
also be used on smart phones and tablets. It has been revised in a way we never
thought possible. You can now use your phone to translate the words through the
app by simply holding up your phone using your camera. Pretty cool!
There are low-tech, mid-tech and high-tech accommodations
that teachers can provide for students with diverse learning needs to assist in
how the curriculum is presented and learned. It's imperative for children not
to lose interest in what they are doing so they do not lose the interest in
what they are learning. Ranging from low-tech accommodations where no digital
material is necessary, by writing on the chalkboard in bright bold colors students
are able to see better and have a less challenging time seeing what is on the
board. Where High-tech accommodations require students to use computers and
other types of technologies.
(Maloy et al., 2013 p. 253) By using audio books as Reading material students
are able to hear and learn word recognition. Each adaptation will specially fit
the way a student can learn and perform tasks it is up to the teacher as to
which process best fits the students.
Resources:
C. (2012). TAKE A TOUR: LEARN ABOUT
UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING | National Center On Universal Design for
Learning. Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/take_a_tour_udl
Drapal, J. (2016, March 13).
Universal Design for Learning. Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
https://www.powtoon.com/online-presentation/b4OEtaDjaI2/?mode=movie#/
Google Translate vs. "La
Bamba" (2015, July 29). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06olHmcJjS0
Maloy, Robert,
Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park
(2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA:
Pearson Education, Inc.
Williams, M. (2012, April 18). IPads
especially helpful for special-needs students. Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/advice/ipads-especially-helpful-for-special-needs-students/2012/04/17/gIQAQn1iQT_story.html
