Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
The main objective of the community event is to bring together both children and adults of different age groups, social and economic backgrounds to acquaint them with the new educational opportunities.
The clear message of the event should be that all the age groups are welcomed to participate. One thing that has its appeal to all the age group is technology and different technological achievements. That is why there has to be a place in the event scenario to show how technology can be used for both educational and entertainment purposes.
Depending on the scale of the event, there are two possible scenarios of attracting audience to the event. It can be either a small science fair with the demonstration of different projects dealing with technology, or the mascot of the event, for example that can both promote the education and be entertaining.
In the course of the event, the attendees will be explained the basics of how the new technology will help learners from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th-grade students in school districts and adult learners at the community center to improve their education.
In particular, the technology will allow implementing UDL approaches to multiple forms of learning and opportunities to facilitate the process for all kinds of learners (Edyburn, 2013).
The technology will make the classes more interactive to ensure larger space for the communication and engagement with each learner. This is an important aspect for all the age groups of the school district and community center. As for the interaction with the attendees, the optimal way to increase their interest in technology is to let them sample the new technology and show in practice the way it works.
Technology and UDL for All Learners
The main objective of the UDL and application of the technological element in it is to create equal opportunities for learning for all kinds of students.
All the age groups, beginning from the young age are to be prepared for the future career. In practice, the precise steps and goals for the technological and digital literacy are:
- through the medium of technology provide the adult learners and older groups of student of the school district with career counseling;
- increasing exposure to educational and professional development opportunities at schools, at the community center and online courses.
- educating and trainings for the schools and community center media specialist so that they can maintain the implemented technologies for the inter-person and online interaction, that ensure flexible learning.
The program’s offering include:
- classes with the interactive digital materials encouraging learners’ artistic thinking and involvement in the educational process elementary, middle/junior high school);
- using technology to model the problematic situations and case studies (middle/junior high school, and high school students);
- course of technical education (middle/junior high school, high school students, adult learners);
The UDL allow looking for the optimal way of learning in each particular case, with each student, with the consideration to create a flexible approach to meet each learner’s needs. All learners from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th-grade students in school districts and adult learners at the community center will be provided an opportunity of flexible learning, accessing the course materials in the time that is convenient for them.
The program’s offering include:
- course of media communication (middle/junior high school, high school students, adult learners);
- course of interactive informational technologies (middle/junior high school, high school students, adult learners);
- flexible curriculum planning and online courses and materials (adult learners);
- curriculum planning, online interactive classes and accessible materials (elementary, middle/junior high school, high school students, adult learners, with disabilities);
- career counseling and informing about educational and professional development opportunities (high school students, adult learners).
21st-Century Skills Acquisition and Employability
The program presented at the event:
- addresses the issue of the illiteracy about the technological education and opportunities for career, educational and professional development that can be accessed through the medium of technology;
- seeks to help to solve the problems with career development, beginning with the courses for school district’s students, promoting digital literacy among students of elementary, middle and high school to the adult learners looking for professional growth opportunities, and implement new resources of job counseling.
According to Partnership for 21st century skills, educational technology in 21st century is to encourage and develop creativity and Innovation in learners, their critical thinking and problem solving abilities, encourage communication and collaboration with the technological element in education (The Partenrship for 21st Century, 2011).
The technology for interactive learning is presented to the attendees at the event, so that the volunteers can try to use it for communication.
The digital tools employed in programs of flexible learning include digital players and recorders, as well as the inter-personal and online interactive devices.
Such new technology will allow students to be more adapted to their future life and career pertained with digital communication.
References
Edyburn, D. (2013). Inclusive Technologies: Tools for Helping Diverse Learners Achieve Academic Success. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills: Framework for 21st Century Learning. (2011). Web.
Rose, D. (2001). Universal Design for Learning. Journal of Special Education Technology, 16(4), 66-67.
Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2006). A practical reader in universal design for learning. Cambridge, MA.: Harvard Education Press.
Rose, D. & Meyer, A. (2000). Universal design for learning. Journal of Special Education Technology, 15(1), 1-12.
U.S. Department of Education. (2014). Letter on Career Counseling. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.