Reflection #10 Area Specific Technology

The topic of our discussion this week was on Area Specific Technology.  Susan Carey, our guest speaker, talked about integrating technology in Special Education.  One of the ways to integrate technology in special education is through a process called blended learning.  Blended learning (Horn & Staker, 2013) involves learning part time on-line and some through a classroom. Universal Design Learning was also discussed and it involves designing programs that promote equity in the classroom. Designing programs that cater to the struggling or low performing students we as teachers and instructors guarantee that all students are counted and get the chance to learn.  The three principles of UDL are representation, action, and expression.  Students need multiple formats of the materials, the ability to express those materials in many ways, and having those materials be fun and engaging.  The principles of UDL are catering to the needs of struggling students, especially special education students.  A holistic environment is created in classrooms that use UDL in lessons.  Equity is what makes blended learning and UDL important and help integrate technology in classrooms.