Week 5 Blog Assignment

Digital tools and UDL-based Instructional Strategies to Support Students with Disabilities Online

    This week I read the article “Digital Tools and UDL-Based Instructional Strategies to Support Students With Disabilities Online” by Rao, Torres, and Smith. In this article, the authors explain how digital tools can be intentionally used to reduce learning barriers in both fully online and blended environments. They emphasize aligning technology with CAST’s Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, which includes principles: multiple means of representation, multiple means of action and expression, and multiple means of engagement. The authors note that in online environments, barriers can increase in areas such as motivation, executive functioning, and reading comprehension. Because of this, teachers must proactively design lessons that reduce these barriers by incorporating supports such as text-to-speech and speech-to-text tools, chunked instructions, scaffolded assignments, and progress-monitoring systems. Overall, the article stresses that technology should not be used simply for engagement or convenience, but purposefully to ensure that all learners, including students with IEPs and 504 plans, have access to meaningful learning opportunities.

    This article directly connects to the escape room lesson I am developing. Technology has not always been my strongest area, so creating it while also meeting the needs of all learners can feel challenging. However, I believe this lesson aligns well with UDL principles. The use of Desmos allows students to see equations both symbolically and graphically, providing multiple means of representation. The Google Form is structured so students can only access one “room” at a time, which effectively chunks the assignment and supports executive functioning. Additionally, the form provides immediate feedback, giving students opportunities to reflect, revise, and collaborate with peers when answers are incorrect. This supports multiple means of action and engagement while encouraging persistence. Overall, this lesson demonstrates how digital tools can be used intentionally to both increase engagement and reduce barriers for diverse learners.

Strategies to integrate into lesson:

    While taking a closer look at CAST’s UDL Guidelines, two strategies that stood out to me as meaningful additions to my lesson: organizing information and resources (executive function) and supporting decoding of text, mathematical notation, and symbols (representation).

    Organizing information is already embedded in my escape room design. The activity is intentionally chunked into separate “rooms,” which supports executive functioning by guiding students through procedural steps in a structured sequence. Students cannot move on until they successfully complete each section, which naturally scaffolds the learning process and prevents cognitive overload. This structure helps break the overall assignment into manageable parts and provides clarity in expectations, reducing frustration and supporting persistence.

    The second strategy, supporting decoding of text, mathematical notation, and symbols, aligns strongly with my use of Desmos. Algebraic reasoning can be overwhelming due to its use of symbols and variables, so providing tools that clarify notation is essential. Desmos offers features such as text-to-speech and dynamic graphing, allowing students to hear and visually interpret equations. This flexibility supports multiple representations and reduces barriers related to symbolic understanding. To further strengthen this strategy, I could incorporate optional hint buttons within each room to guide students in using Desmos effectively and interpreting mathematical symbols. These added supports would help students navigate algebraic notation with greater confidence while maintaining high expectations for conceptual understanding.

2024 NETP regarding the integration of UDL strategies

    The 2024 National Educational Technology Plan highlights the importance of using technology in ways that enhance student learning. Applying UDL principles ensures that digital tools are accessible and supportive for every learner. UDL complements the NETP by offering students multiple ways to engage with content, represent their understanding, and express their learning. By incorporating UDL strategies into technology use and instructional design, teachers can create inclusive, learner-centered experiences that help bridge the Digital Use Divide and promote equitable learning opportunities.

References: 

CAST (2024). CAST Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 3.0. Retrieved from https://udlguidelines.cast.org

Office of Educational Technology. (2024). A Call to Action to Close the Technology Access, Design, and Use Divides: National Educational Technology Plan. Department of Education. NETP2024.pdf

Rao, K., Torres, C., & Smith, S.Links to an external site. (2021). Digital tools and UDL-based instructional strategies to support students with disabilities online. Journal of Special Education Technology, 36(2), 105-112. 

Comments

  1. NickFebruary 13, 2026 at 9:15 AM

    Hello Erica,
    Great post this week, I enjoyed reading it! I love the fact that you mention symbolic and graphical representation in mathematics education with Desmos, this is an excellent method to address the multiple means of representation component for UDL. I also think your escape room idea sounds fantastic, that is an super engaging way to get students to buy in to decoding mathematics, just like you describe. Thanks again and have a good day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kerry G EDUC-5313February 15, 2026 at 6:34 AM

    Hello Erica,
    You did a great job sifting through the research information to find gold nuggets like the suggested supports for students on IEPs and 504 Plans. You made a good point about the importance of interaction with technology instead of passively watching or mindlessly clicking on answers during lessons. I think an escape room is a great idea for actively engaging students and the tools you have selected will make the activity user friendly.
    Kerry Gernant

    ReplyDelete

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