Assistive Technology & UDL

In chapter 3 of the Illinois Assistive Technology Guide Manual, both assistive technology and UDL technology address the individual learning needs of students. But the methods taken for each are not the same. UDL is a proactive strategy and its main point is to reduce barriers that are restricting the children from learning. Assistive technology is given after evaluation and referral, while UDL is something that is given to everyone who understands people need specialized support. AT is a reactive approach which allows the students to perform tasks at an experience level. The use of AT is issued when a student with a disability might be having trouble when engaging in a curricular task.
UDL and AT can also both coexist. Such tools can be used with UDL and AT when an individual needs to overcome a barrier that would not be possible to pass without the certain tool.


The lesson I chose was a social studies lesson for fourth graders.The lesson was about recognizing American symbols. The students will first watch a video on different American symbols, then research symbols on their own. After researching symbols, the students get to choose which tool they would like to display their symbols they have just learned on. These tools included a graphic organizer, Pebblego, and Brainpop. Students can work together researching different symbols and by working together, they can help each other if a student does not fully understand. These tools are not just useful for American symbols, they students can learn about these tools and use them for other lessons or assignments.