UDL and technology go hand in hand

 UDL and technology go hand in hand

All teachers regardless of what subject that they are teaching are having to adapt their teaching to accommodate ELL learners. For myself, as a teacher-librarian in a teaching context with many ELL students, I have had to adapt my teaching and have more understanding of UDL. UDL, Universal Design for Learning, is basically the concept that students need to be able to show their learning in a variety of ways, and that there needs to be differentiation and access to technology to support this learning. For me personally this has required me to completely rejig my programming this year. I have learned about how “ Story Studio” can assist in helping students to demonstrate what they have learned by using various materials such as pipe cleaners, Play-Doh, figurines, gems and other objects.  I have been using technology as well to teach ELL students by using translation services and also reading applications such as EPIC for kids that also have capability to read a  story for students. I also use speech-to text for ELL students to work on projects in the library independently or with a group.As Katie Novak suggests, “ We can foster multiple means of representation in the classroom by providing all students with access to visual support as well as the option to listen to texts in English via peer reading, audio books or text-to-speech.”(Novak, 2018) The other idea that I have been using is the idea of creating comics to show understanding using an app called Pixton. The only problem that I have been facing is that our school has a lack of ipads and computers available for use. However, I have been told by our tech department that there will be new computers coming next year.  The other idea that I find can help with ELL students is the notion of grouping ELL students with students who have a good command of English because they can help with the written communication, and the ELL student can focus on the illustrations or visuals.  The use of visuals is very important for the ELL students at my school, especially since they are newly arrived.Novak states that” Sentence frames, graphic organizers, collaborative work, exemplars and the use of the WIDA English Language Development Standards provide necessary supports that allow all students to express what they know in inclusive, diverse classrooms while working toward the same standards.”(Novak, 2018) Collaboration is one that I use frequently to assist my ELL students and help them practice English with their peers.

In short, UDL is something that all teachers must be actively learning about, and in addition understand how technology positively impacts learning for our ELL students.

Works Cited: Novak, K. (2018) Why UDL Matters for English Language Learners, Language Magazine, https://www.languagemagazine.com/2018/03/09/why-udl-matters-for-english-language-learners/