Week 5 - Technology Integration with RTI and UDL

 

Part 1: Article Summary

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) aims to address various needs of students by utilizing a proactive planning framework encompassing environmental, instructional, and technological support. UDL is essential for student success because it ensures students can access and participate in assignments and classroom activities (Basham et al., 2010). Response to Intervention (RTI) encompasses three tiers to allow for various types of support, as well as various levels of intensity of support. The three tiers of RTI are: primary, secondary, and tertiary. For schools that utilize RTI based frameworks, approximately 80% of students receive tier 1 (primary) support, 15% of students receive tier 2 (secondary) support, and 5% of students receive tier 3 (tertiary) support (Basham et al., 2010).

While both UDL and RTI are both widely recognized as proactive frameworks that support a wide array of student needs, there is currently not a cohesive relationship between them (Basham et al., 2010). Both frameworks rely on scientific-based practices, data-based decision making, problem solving abilities, and various modes of support structures (Basham et al., 2010). Integrating UDL, RTI, and purposeful learning technologies may provide necessary support for students that cannot be accomplished in the status quo. However, integrating RTI and UDL frameworks with purposeful technology can only be accomplished if we expand our current working knowledge of learning technologies and know how to troubleshoot simple errors with the technologies when they arise.

A field research project with Cincinnati Public Schools concluded that an ecological framework encompassing RTI, UDL, and technology has the ability to proactively address behavioral issues and provide much needed support that students are not currently receiving (Basham et al., 2010). RTI framework was shown to be enhanced through utilizing UDL and its instructional designs.

Part 2: Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)

There are many strategies from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) Universal Design for Learning website that can be applied to my proposed lesson plan. However, I believe the two strategies that would prove to be the most beneficial are: using multiple technology tools to meet expression and communication standards, and providing a unique tool to generate new understandings to meet comprehension standards.

Expression and communication standards fall under UDL’s Expression and Action guidelines. Utilizing Canva offers students an outlet for creativity. Canva will be used by students (in pairs) to create an infographic (multimedia) of their assigned South American country highlighting various geographical, economic, and demographical facts. Canva, in conjunction with the lesson plan, provides an opportunity to enhance and expand their prior knowledge of South America as a continent, their assigned countries, and Canva.

Comprehension standards fall under UDL’s Representation guideline. Utilizing thetruesize.com offers students a unique way to comprehend actual country sizes while being extremely engaging and interactive. The visualization aspect of the tool is useful to expand on background information of the assignment and supplies a concrete understanding of map distortions.  

References:

Basham, J. D., Israel, M., Graden, J., Poth, R., & Winston, M. (2010). A comprehensive approach to rti: embedding universal design for learning and technology. Learning Disability Quarterly, 33(4), 243-255.

CAST. (2022, February 8). About universal design for learning. CAST. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl#.XGn5889Kho4

Comments

  1. Kimberly PressFebruary 9, 2023 at 2:21 PM

    Hi Megan!
    I really liked how you stated the importance of UDL, and it is critical for student success. It was interesting to read that UDL and RTI do not have a cohesive relationship, but the research project with Cincinnati Public Schools has a promising approach. I agree with you that Canva is an amazing tool that students not only like to use, but also extends their learning. Great ideas of how to implement UDL, I think this is a great learning experience your students will love!
    ~Kimberly Press

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lourdes GarciaFebruary 12, 2023 at 11:46 AM

    Hi Megan,

    I like how you mentioned the inclusion of the visualization tool for your assignment. It is definitely something that I believe is extremely important for the learning process of many students who may be visual learners. Additionally, I think being able to grasp the actual sizes of various countries is vital for the UDL's representation guidelines.

    ReplyDelete

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