How edtech helps us create inclusive learning experiences

July 26^th, 2022 marked the 32nd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, landmark legislation that offers equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Full participation in all aspects of life is incomplete without access to educational opportunities that promote independent living and practical work-related skills.

As the Executive Director at the Inclusive Higher Education Certificate Program (IHECP), I teach students with learning, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. We celebrate intellectual diversity and are dedicated to raising expectations of what our students can accomplish, especially in seeking meaningful employment and independence. Most of all, we challenge the idea that students with these particular disabilities cannot pursue their dreams of higher education, which is a widespread misconception.

The inclusive college experience has many lessons for the educational community in general. For many years, we have taught in classrooms where the norm is that students listen, and the teacher speaks. However, this traditional method doesn’t work as well in special education. To be truly inclusive, we need to flip the script. Edtech is a major part of this paradigm shift, which enables us to be more intentional in the way we use it to benefit students.

As with most educational institutions, we could not have continued teaching without technology. Edtech remains a major part of our program and a major reason why we succeeded with remote learning even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Offering effective and inclusive online learning was years in the making. Here are some thoughts based on my experience as a special education instructor. 

Technology and the inclusive college experience

We have been offering online learning through a blended format for most of IHECP’s existence. Some of our services, including college preparation classes and academic coaching, are offered online, but our students also engage in independent study at home.

One thing I’ve been thrilled about is that technology has enriched my students’ education. We had a smooth transition to online learning thanks to important skills they already had, such as accessing Zoom meetings and the ability to log in and learn independently. 

In this way, digital literacy opens new doors for students of all abilities. For a truly inclusive college experience, we need to prepare students for this type of online interaction long before they arrive on campus. We accepted that this is our new normal and there is going to be a component of online learning for every student, whether in-person, remote or blended.

Choosing what works best for students

Edtech promotes executive function and independence skills in our students.  These are valuable abilities that help them transition from school to work.

A significant aspect is choosing what is best for their needs because most university platforms are language and reading-based. Our students learn with NEO, a user-friendly platform with a graphical interface. This means students can navigate through pictures and colors. They also access educational material that is higher than their reading levels thanks to the text-to-speech software.

We also design programs that are suited to their needs, using Universal Design for Learning. In addition, we individually differentiate. For example, NEO is compatible with JAWS, a screen reader that students with low vision can use to complete their lessons. We also build assessments just for them.

Structuring lessons and content

We use our learning platform to structure lessons so that students are familiar with a specific pattern. They know what is expected of them and when they are done. In my classes, they recognize this routine: lecture, survey, small group project, engagement.

I used to use an interactive whiteboard to go through content, but it was more practical to record myself while teaching, and students would see the lecture later. It also helps to chunk individual concepts into smaller units and use repetition for prior learning. Finally, students can see their learning progress with rewards such as badges and points.

Consequently, edtech can help students learn in ways they wouldn’t be able to access outside of high school or even in high school.

Personalizing learning

My students aim to improve their skills. They’re not focused on reaching a specific grade. Instead, we prioritize our students’ learning preferences and use that information to personalize learning. For example, many of them tend to procrastinate with writing assignments, as they’re hesitant to write.

However, this doesn’t mean we do not see the depth of knowledge. On the contrary, students can submit video or audio assignments, and I like giving feedback in their preferred format. Instead of four or five lines, I sometimes have a 20-minute dialogue that I can use to help them improve their knowledge.

In this way, they’re always thinking about their learning process, adding in their personal experiences.

Looking ahead

As educators of students with all abilities, we need to plan for tech and realize that this is the way forward. The simplest method is to know the ins and outs of our edtech tools. In this way, we can use their whole range of features to personalize learning and offer the same opportunities to all students.