Technology+and+UDL+implementations

Technology strengthens the concept of UDL ten fold. It is because technology affords multiple opportunities to us as educators to teach in a variety of ways and students to learn in a variety of ways that it works in the confines of UDL. Here is a list of technology that students and teachers alike can use to help them benefit from a UDL classroom:
 * Wikis
 * Allows students to contribute even if they are limited in speech or fluency. It does this be giving student’s time to contribute.
 * Another aspect of wikis is that it allows all students to contribute something for the greater understanding of the class.
 * Interactive Concept Maps
 * Allow students a varied way to understand how an idea or lesson is organized.
 * This tool also allows students to stay engaged because it changes with the ideas in the class.
 * Skype
 * Gives students an opportunity to learn from their peers even though they may be physically limited in where they can meet.
 * Example: A student who is confined to a wheelchair may not be able to ride their bike or walk to a group meeting, but can still be involved in the meeting thanks to Skype.
 * Voice Activated software
 * Students who may have vision impairments have an opportunity to navigate a website or computer thanks to this technology.
 * Online News
 * Those students who may have problems with the English language have an opportunity to stay current with a class because they can take a news site and have it translated to them with the click of a button. This way, students stay on topic and do not fall behind what a discussion may be in class.
 * Blogs
 * Allow students and teachers to converse in either a more relaxed setting or one in which time is not as much of an option. Students can think about what they want to contribute to a discussion and have a forum to give their thoughts to the group.
 * Webquests
 * Allows students options and variety in what and how they learn about various subjects in their content.
 * Podcasts
 * This tool is great for those students who may not be fluent and need to cut and edit parts of their oral presentations. Also, this is a great way to capture a lecture so that auditory students can reflect after class on what is being taught to them.
 * Virtual Field Trips
 * Allows a class who may not be able to physically go somewhere to at least visually experience a place and interact with it.
 * Instant Messenger
 * Gives those students who may not like to speak in class a forum to converse in a meaningful way outside of class.
 * You tub/teacher tube
 * A great place for students to launch films that they have created, or learn from others in a visual manner. It also is an excellent place, like virtual field trips, to understand different places and cultures.
 * Movie Maker
 * Online polls and surveys
 * Allows teachers and students to learn about themselves and others.
 * Social networking sites
 * Helps students keep a dialogue going and also allows them to work together even if they are physically apart.
 * Screen casting
 * A great option for students who are either uncomfortable or unwilling to present a live oral presentation.
 * Audio/interactive books
 * Allows students a chance to understand a piece of literature while also catering to varied reading levels and language barriers.