I am not a teacher yet, however, I am beginning to conceptualize how I can connect the principles of Universal Design for Learning into my teaching practices. Not only can UD allow our students the use of assistive technology and the ability to utilize multiple methods of presentation, participation and expression (as Nancy Firchow discusses), but it also provides the ability to engage in interactive, student-centered, authentic, collaborative, and on-demand learning (as Baird discusses).
David Rose explains how digital media provides material flexibility to disseminate messages to learners in various ways. I find it immensely important to provide material that is easy for students to understand. However, every student is highly individualized. As a result the flexibility that technology allows will maximize learning potential. I also find it important to not only discuss the idea that technology forums allow greater understanding of current material, but it also prepares individuals for the modernization of society and technology driven workforces. As Ferriter discusses, “all these skills are essential for students to succeed in the most progressive workplaces today and the most common workplaces tomorrow, in which corporations open their companies and encourage digital collaboration across boarders, primarily because they recognize that the human capital beyond an organization will always be greater then the human capital within”. I believe that by exposing individuals to technology when they are young, we will better prepare them for the ever-expanding technology world when they are older.
As a result, it is save to conclude that technology not only allows flexibility to maximize current learning potential but also prepares individuals for the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment