Learning Designed for Students
Thinking back to when I was a student I’m not so sure the learning was designed for me or for students in general. From what I remember, we were all moved through content and skills in lock-step. The teachers were on a mission to get us to the next grade by covering what was on their list. Now this was back in the day when content didn’t change much and the skills that we needed were tried and true. That model isn’t really fit for today or the future.
“increase ‘access’ to general curriculum materials and, at the same time, provide support for the learner’s particular challenges”
“‘text-to-speech’ technology can be a powerful tool for visually and processing speed impaired students to keep pace and comprehend what they are reading”
“technology is used to ‘even the playing field’ and allow the child independent access to the curriculum”
You can see from these quotes that this approach and use of technology has a real assistive / adaptive feel to it. Certainly we’ve found it to be a positive model for specially challenged learners. However what surprised the Principal and teachers was how well the approach and tools improved learning for all their students. They’ve demonstrated this through the data they’ve collected and how the data clearly show increased success for all children.
I want you to meet Chloie and Madison, two grade 5 students from our UDL school. I visited with them a few months ago and they shared with me how a particular suite of tools called Solo6, helped them with their writing. Please enjoy their videos posted below where their specific learning activity was to develop and write a speech. Perhaps you will leave a comment for them on their videos.
Earlier this past week I received an email from the teacher that arranged my visit with Chloie and Madison. She said the girls were asking when I was coming back to show them their videos! How cool is that. I’m visiting with them next Monday to share their videos with them. I haven’t used the videos in any presentations yet so this blog post will serve as their début.
I’m no expert on using or implementing UDL but as an outside observer, I see it as a model or framework worth considering as schools move toward a more personalized approach to learning. Although technology isn’t the end, it is certainly an important means to achieving this aim. As technology matures in its capability we will see significant advances in how it will transform learning for all kids. For a glimpse into the near future in how technology may evolve to support not only education but our lives, check out the latest from Corning Glass.
What examples might you have where technology plays a key role in the learning success of students? If you have UDL experience, perhaps you could share some UDL stories here.
Wow!! Thank you so much Chloie and Madison for doing such a wonderful job of demonstrating Solo 6 for us. I feel very lucky to work in a school with such marvelous students! I have to agree with you Chloie that I can no longer imagine life without technology. Five years ago when we began our UDL journey, I would not have believed this. I knew very little about technology then and would often be seen running across the hall to ask Mr. S what was wrong with my Smartboard only to find that I had not plugged in a cable or turned on the projector. As I became more adept with technology (with the help of my students who were adept trouble-shooters), I began to see that technology was a tool that made learning more meaningful and fun for my students. When I walk into classes today and see the marvelous projects that students are involved in using assistive technologies (SOLO 6, Boardmaker) and presentation tools like PowerPoint and Notebook, I am absolutely amazed. The student generated learning that has taken place is astounding and goes well beyond what our students were learning and producing years ago. There really is no turning back when you see the power of technology used well!
ReplyDeleteMs S
@Ms S: you make a great point about the support that is needed to embed technology into teaching and learning. I like how you also turned to your own students for some of that support. Kids are often fearless and see things as possibilities not obstacles. They are a great resource.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing more of the learning journey that you and your school have gone through these past few years. I know that your work there has spread to other schools, maybe not as holistically but many teachers in other schools have attended the afterschool sessions teachers at your school have generously offered and thus helped spread the knowledge. Great job!