In class this week, we focused on Universal Design for Learning and how we as educators can support learners using digital technologies.

In-Class Activity #1

One of the first activities we tried was to examine how accessible websites are using the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool. We were instructed to test out the accessibility of three websites that are often used, so I chose the websites for Langford, UVic, and the Victoria Disability Resource Centre (VDRC). I was really pleased to see that UVic had an accessibility score of 9.8 out of 10, and the VDRC had a score of 9.7. Unfortunately, the website for the City of Langford was sitting quite low at 4.1 out of 10.

In-Class Activity #2

Think back to your own K-12 experience. Did you use any adaptive technologies, or see adaptive technologies used in your K-12 classes or schools?

This is an image of three hands that spell out "ASL" in American Sign Language.
This image was created by user Clker-Free-Vector-Images and was downloaded from Pixabay and is free for use under the Pixabay Content License. Click on the image to go to the original website.

When I was in elementary school, my school was designated as one for children who were deaf or hard-of-hearing (I am also prefacing this by stating I am not deaf or hard-of-hearing). We had carpet all throughout the entire school to help reduce sound in the hallways and classrooms to not overwhelm students who were deaf or hard-of-hearing. As well, all classrooms had TVs in them for when the announcements would come on just before recess, so rather than just the principal announcing anything over just a PA system, students could also visually see the principal, and there was an Education Assistant next to them interpreting everything that was said into American Sign Language (ASL). There were also TVs in the hallways that had the announcements typed up and they would be displayed for the rest of the day for everyone to be able to read.

A very specific device educators would use for students who were deaf or hard-of-hearing was a type of microphone that they would pin to their clothes and while it wouldn’t amplify the speaker’s voice for the rest of the room, it transmitted their voice to student’s hearing aids or cochlear implants. One precaution that had to be considered in our school was cellphones had to be off at all times. I lost track of the number of moments that a parent would answer their phone near my friends, and their hearing aids or cochlear implant would intercept the phone call and they could hear everything that was said!

Additionally, students (regardless of whether we were deaf or hard-of-hearing or not) were constantly taught ASL and had it embedded into classwork and other daily activities. This would also help normalize the use of ASL and ensure that we could use it communicate with each other. Whenever we had music and all the classes were working on songs for winter/spring concerts (or any kind of performance), we would always be taught how to sign the chorus of the songs were learning.

You could imagine my surprise when I learned that this was not the norm when I entered middle school (while also keeping in mind that having carpet in schools is expensive due to upkeep and middle schools don’t necessarily have the same tight-knit community aspect as elementary schools due to size). Educators still used the microphones to support students in classes who needed it, but I did notice that the number of students who were deaf or hard-of-hearing began to get smaller as I moved into higher grades (while once again, keeping in mind that people move to other schools, we may have just been in different classes, etc.).

While ASL is not the first thing that comes to mind when people think of “adaptive technologies”, I think given the time that I went to elementary school (2003-2010?), I would absolutely consider ASL to be an adaptive technology. I think adaptive technology is a term that is very broad and can go beyond just the digital realm of technology and it is important we acknowledge that (without also dissing digital adaptive/assistive technology). I think it is amazing to see how far we have come and how fast adaptive and assistive technologies have advanced to further support people in their lives.

What are some of the pros and cons of using adaptive technologies in schools?

Adaptive technologies allow for supported learners to access the learning environment in a variety of ways. Students are able to communicate, work more independently, and allows for greater engagement and interaction. Adaptive technologies allow for students to be successful. I am unsure about potential cons of the use of adaptive technologies in schools, or rather, calling it challenges or barriers. One of the biggest challenges/barriers that students and schools face with regard to adaptive technologies is the high financial costs associated with them, especially when schools are already experiencing financial strains and deficits. Additionally, some technologies may require additional training to understand and implement. Another issue I have seen is how easy a power outage or poor internet connection can disrupt adaptive technologies. When this occurs, it brings learning and accessibility almost to a complete halt.