7. Technology can be used to provide options for recruiting interest.
7.1 Optimize student’s individual choice by using technology to provide options for the ways students practice content and present their understanding for assessment.
For example:
- When students are asked to read a book in silence by themselves, provide the option of reading along to an audiobook with headphones if you have access to the equipment. There are lots of free online audiobooks. You could also offer students access to a text-to-speech program such as Kurzweil or something more simple like an online dictionary.
- Instead of just giving students the option of writing an essay to show their understanding of a concept, use technology to provide other options they will probably find more engaging. Students could make a video, podcast, slideshow, or prezi. They could also use Inspiration or X-mind which are softwares that allow students to create mind maps and other visual representations of ideas to express their understandings (Edtech admin, 2021). Or you could create a video discussion on Flipgrid for your class!
- Give students the options of practicing their math skills on prodigy. A tool we learned about in EDCI 300 – Mathematical processes. Give students the options of using Mathtalk speech recognition Mathematics software, Khan academy, or use symbolab to check their work/ learn the steps to solving a problem.
7.2 Use technology to optimize relevance, value and authenticity.
Students are engaged by information and activities that are relevant and valuable to their interests and goals. When possible, provide tasks that allow for exploration in their interests. Online resources that are reliable can be a great place for students to learn about their interests.
- Use videos of real life experiments to optimize relevance. PhET Interactive Simulations has free interactive math and science simulations!
7.3 Use technology to help minimize distractions.
- Utilize noise cancelling headphones that are available at your school for students who are sensitive to noise.
- Use meditation or breathing videos to calm the class down after recess or when energy levels need to shift down.
- To avoid sensory overload from the classrooms walls create anchor charts on the computer and only bring them up on the projector or smart board when the class is using them. https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2020/12/18/how-to-deal-with-sensory-overload/
8. Technology can be used as a tool to help students persist and sustain effort.
8.1 Use organizational technology to heighten salience of goals and objectives
When students are provided with computer based scheduling tools these can help them greatly with their organization of tasks and therefor their ability to reach goals
- If students have a phone make sure they are aware that they can set reminders and use the apple calendar.
- Trello can be a great tool for organizing group or individual projects.
“Getting organized is a key component to success!” (Paskecius, 2021).
8.2 Use technology to vary demands and resources to optimize challenge
- Online resources where students complete levels and move at their own pace. Ex. for french each student has their own duolingo account and is able to work on their levels at the end of french class on school ipad for a certain period of time.
References
CAST (2018). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.2. Retrieved from http://udlguidelines.cast.org
Paskevicius, M. (2021, March). Educational Technology. Retrieved from https://edtechuvic.ca/edci336/2021/03/02/slides-from-week-eight/
