What Could a Tech Tool do if a Tech Tool Could Help YOU!

Three tech tools that support the UDL framework

The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a model used to develop flexible learning environments that shed light on possible barriers that could prevent a student from learning and provide support to overcome said barriers (Morra & Reynolds, 2010). As technology begins to play a major role in everyday education, it is important for educators to understand best practices for utilizing technology to support the UDL framework. UDL is composed of three major categories: engagement, representation, and expression. By understanding each of these categories and learning about ways to provide equitable support for students, teachers have the ability to create universal, learner-centered classrooms.

At first look, the design can seem overwhelming and time consuming to use. However, since the framework has become so popular, there are numerous resources available out there to help aid teachers in implementing UDL in their pedagogy and content planning. Understanding that the goal of UDL is not to completely reinvent the wheel, but rather prune and perfect the wheel helps take some of the stress and fear off of implementing the framework with students. There are so many accessible technology tools that help tailor each UDL category that many schools already have access to, yet they are unaware of their usable value. In this post, we will explore three types of tech resources that hit on each of the categories demonstrated through UDL, as well as provide additional resources that can be used for further research and inquiry on the topic.

Flipping Engagement

The Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) identifies the engagement category as the WHY of Learning (CAST, 2021). This initial step in the process is where teachers begin to think about how they will engage learners with the lesson. In this step, teachers look at the interests of the class, as well as potential barriers that could prevent students from engaging in the content and look for universal ways to meet the needs of many learners.

One tech tool that can be used to inventory interest and gauge learning can be a resource called Flip (previously known as Flipgrid). Flip is an online resource that allows teachers and students to create very short videos about a topic. Many students fear speaking up in front of the class or asking questions out loud that may seem silly to others. Flip is a tool that would allow teachers to pose a question to a specifically created group and then provide an opportunity for students to answer the question (Baragar, 2020). The resource offers the ability for students to see each other’s responses which can offer many benefits. This type of feature allows students to reply and discuss with each other or support one another if someone is confused on a topic. Also, as an added bonus feature, filters and fun graphics are available to be added to videos to boost engagement and make creating the videos more fun. Additionally, as an added bonus, Flip is a multifaceted tool that can support UDL’s other two categories of representation and expression.

Representation with SeeSaw

The second important category of UDL is that of representation. CAST identifies this as the WHAT of Learning (CAST, 2021). In this part of the design, teachers are focusing on the specific content and choosing a variety of modalities in which to represent the information. Because our students are immersed in a digital world, exposing them with multiple modalities in which to absorb content can be incredibly beneficial and inclusive. In this part of the process, teachers can begin looking at the way their learners process information. They need to be familiar not just with classroom accommodations for IEP students, but also keeping in mind learning styles of individual students.

The web platform known as Seesaw is a great way to present information to students. This tool was created with students in mind and is incredibly kidfriendly. While Seesaw can be used in all three categories of UDL, I find the ways it supports the representation category to be fascinating. Within the program, teachers are able to upload videos, pictures, songs, web articles, online books, and more that goes to the student dashboards. Upon logging in, students then have a choice on which ways they would like to receive the new information. Within those postings, the teachers also have the ability to record their own voice to relay information as well. The platform provides ample opportunity for teachers to pull in multiple resources to get information out to their students. Seesaw is also useful on the expression side because it allows students to create pieces in a variety of ways that can be added to a digital portfolio that is available to not only the teacher, but families as well.

Action-packed Expression with Powtoon

The last category that completes the UDL framework is that of action and expression. This is where the rubber meets the road and students are given the opportunity to demonstrate their learning. In planning for this part of instruction, teachers must keep in mind the strengths of their students and ways in which they feel most comfortable expressing their learning. While formal assessments will always be needed in the classroom, authentic assessment should also play a valuable role in allowing students to show-and-tell the new information they have acquired.

It would seem counterintuitive for me to just give you one tech tool for this category, as the whole basis of the idea is that of multiple options for students. However, I am going to emphasize one tool that can serve many purposes and possibly meet the needs of several within a classroom. Powtoon is a versatile tool that can be used to help students demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways (Budhai, 2023). This interactive multimedia component offers the option of using premade templates to help students create engaging videos to demonstrate learning. Students can create how-to videos, book reports, character analysis reports, biographies, timelines, and so much more (Matsil, 2015). It is truly a collision of creativity and technology that can be used to boost engagement and get kids excited about learning again.

Conclusion

I feel like I could have spent days and weeks on this project researching all of the tech tools available to teachers, and by tomorrow there will be a hundred more newer and better tools. However, understanding the framework of UDL combined with understanding our students helps us to create inclusive classrooms that are designed to meet the needs of all learners and diminish barriers we haven’t even thought of yet. I hope that these few ideas will help you begin thinking about your students and ways you can easily begin pruning and perfecting the wheel of instruction happening within your own classroom. Tools like this get me excited about teaching again. Not only can these tools boost engagement for students, but they reignite a passion in my teacher-heart and inspire me to do better for my students!

References

Baragar, A. (2020, February 17). How to Use Flipgrid in the Classroom [Review of How to Use Flipgrid in the Classroom]. Techhub.com. https://www.teachhub.com/technology-in-the-classroom/2020/02/how-to-use-flipgrid-in-the-classroom/

Budhai, S. (2023). Powtoon Lesson Plan [Review of Powtoon Lesson Plan]. Tech & Learning. https://www.techlearning.com/how-to/powtoon-lesson-plan

CAST. (2021). About Universal Design for Learning. Www.cast.org.

https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl

Matsil, N. (2015, June 29). 11 Quick & Amazing Ways to Use PowToon in Your Classroom. Powtoon Blog. https://www.powtoon.com/blog/11-ways-to-use-powtoon-in-your-classroom/

Morra, T., & Reynolds, J. (2010). Universal design for learning: Application for technology-enhanced learning. Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges, 15(1), 5.