Month: February 2025

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Ethical Considerations in Educational Technology

What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an amazing educational framework that aims to create learning environments for everyone. This is done by providing multiple means of engagement, representation, action and expression within the given learning experience. This approach helps to promote that all students, regardless of their abilities or learning styles, have equal opportunities to succeed. ”UDL is based on the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education. Instead, it encourages the use of flexible teaching methods and materials that can be customized to meet the diverse needs of students” (Joshua Hotchin). Being someone who struggles with a learning disability I believe this would be a very beneficial way of learning. If we integrate UDL principles, educators can design lessons that accommodate diverse students and their different learning styles, such as incorporating text-to-speech tools, visual aids, or alternative assessment methods where needed. I believe UDL is beneficial in both the physical and digital classrooms respectively as it promotes flexibility, accessibility, and personalized learning experiences for all students.

Ensuring Accessibility in Online Settings

Online learning must be accessible to all students, no matter if they have a disability. To achieve this, digital resources should be designed with accessibility in mind. I thought the list of Some key strategies:

• Accessible Content: Ensure that all digital content, such as videos, documents, and websites, is accessible. This includes providing captions for videos, using alt text for images, and ensuring that websites are navigable by screen readers.
• User-Friendly Design: Online platforms should be designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind, so that students with varying levels of technical skill can access them without difficulty.
• Accommodation: Offer accommodations for students who need them, such as extended time on assignments or alternative formats for course materials.
• Testing Accessibility: Regularly test your online platforms and materials to ensure they meet accessibility standards and guidelines, like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

This list was made by Joshua Hotchin and I believe it emphasizes the most important aspects of making online learning as accessible as possible for everyone. I have been lucky enough to have the accessibility to get my learning disability spotted at a young age but I know not everyone has that same luxury. The part of the list that really sticks with me is the accommodations section, my accommodations in school have always really helped me. For me it is sometimes hard for me to read and remember information so the extra time I have been granted has been a lifesaver and I could not imagine university without them. Accessibility is not just about giving knowledge to everyone, it is about giving everyone that same opportunity and tools to excel  their greatest potential.

Ethical Challenges of EdTech

While educational technology is definitely the feutre and offers numerous advantages, it also raises some ethical concerns. Some potential challenges include:

• Privacy and Data Security: EdTech tools often collect vast amounts of data on students, including personal information, academic performance, and behavior. Ensuring that this data is securely stored and used responsibly is a major ethical concern.
• Equity and Access: While EdTech can enhance learning, it can also widen the gap between students who have access to technology and those who do not. Ensuring that all students have equal access to EdTech is crucial.
• Commercialization of Education: Some EdTech companies prioritize profit over student well-being, leading to concerns about the commercialization of education. It’s important to critically evaluate the motivations behind the tools being used.
• Digital Divide: The disparity between students who have access to reliable internet and technology and those who do not can lead to unequal learning opportunities. Addressing this divide is essential for ethical EdTech use.

This list was made by Joshua Hotchin, but I wanted to add it because I believe it perfectly embodies some of the main risk and ethical challenges that come along with EdTech. Educators must try to balance these concerns by choosing ethical edtech solutions, advocating for data privacy, and ensuring that technology enhances rather than hinders equitable learning experiences. There is no doubt the EdTech is being used and in the feutre of our learning experiences, but these factors will always be there. It is about how teachers and schools mitigate to what extent. 

Ethical Considerations in Digital Interactions

Engaging in digital interactions should be viewed the same as physical interactions and I believe that all interactions come with ethical responsibilities. Sometimes I feel like people forget that every message, post, tweet is another human being on the other side of that message and we should uphold respect, inclusivity, and integrity in online discussions. I really liked my teachers list of some strategies for ethical digital interactions:

• Respect and Civility: Just as in face-to-face interactions, it’s important to treat others with respect online. This includes avoiding cyberbullying, harassment, and negative behaviours.

• Privacy: Respecting the privacy of others in digital spaces is crucial. Be mindful of what personal information you share and consider the implications of sharing information about others without their consent.

• Digital Footprint: Everything you post online contributes to your digital footprint, which can have long-term implications for your reputation and opportunities. It’s important to think before you post and consider how your digital actions reflect on you.

• Academic Integrity: In educational settings, maintaining academic integrity is essential. This means avoiding plagiarism, properly citing sources, and being honest in your work.

This list was made by Joshua Hotchin. I think all of these points tie back into what I was saying before with how every interaction whether it be online or in person should be thought of the same. Whether It be with school and Academic integrity, Would you cheat on an in person final? Probably not. So why would you cheat on an online one? I could go down this whole list and give examples for each but I am sure you understand my point. I believe by treating digital interactions as physical ones, we can create safer, more inclusive online spaces for learning and collaboration.

Applying UDL and Accessibility Principles in Learning Environments

Reflecting on a past learning experience, I will recall an online university course Math 151. The course offered lecture recordings with captions, interactive discussion boards where students could find others. While these efforts supported diverse learners, there were still areas for improvement. For example, the course platform did not have full screen compatibility on the lecture videos, making reading some aspects challenging for not even visually impaired students. Additionally, there were no live discussions which could create some barriers for students with questions about course material.

Some improvements you could include:

• Implementing real-time Live class for live discussions and teaching rather then just videos to enhance accessibility students.
• Ensuring full screen-reader compatibility to support visually impaired learners and help general accessibility.
• Providing more individualized support options, such as one-on-one virtual office hours for students who need additional assistance, or verrios assignments or tests being restructured for students needs.

By integrating these changes, the course could have been improved therefore ensuring that all learners, regardless of ability, had a more equal opportunity to succeed.

Blog Post #2: Exploring Pedagogy and Networked Learning

What Does Pedagogy Mean to Me?

Pedagogy to me represents the theory and practice of teaching, it is how knowledge is delivered and received by others. It may seem simple but it is not pedagogy focused on how teachers can best help students learn. This is done by implementing strategies used by teachers to help students absorb information. It is not just about the information that is given but it is about how it is given and what teachers can do to improve on that. In my academic journey, I have had many different teachers with a wide range of ideologies on how they should be teaching. Some I have liked and some that I have not, But for me I have always worked best for most classes when teachers are open to allow you to do your own learning and have your own opinion on a given topic. On the other hand if I am in a class like STATS I would much rather prefer the teacher to tell and teach me every aspect of the course leaving nothing for me to imagine or have to learn on my own. I believe that teaching is all about what and who you are trying to teach and finding the right balance.

Networked Pedagogy in Action

Networked pedagogy is an approach to teaching that emphasizes the connections between people, resources, and ideas through digital networks. It allows learners to interact with a diverse range of perspectives, access resources beyond traditional textbooks, and engage in collaborative problem-solving. It is used to leverage tools such as social media to enhance conversation about given topic’s. “It challenges traditional, top-down models of education by encouraging students to take an active role in their learning and engage with a broader community” (Joshua Hotchin). I believe that it is extremely beneficial to the learning of all students to implement these strategies, allowing students to get a wider range of view on whatever topic they are passionate about. For me this has been extremely beneficial to my learning, I can not count how many times I have gone online or used social media to gain more information on a topic that I either needed help with or was passionate about and that is what I think is most beneficial about Networked pedagogy.

Learning Theories in Practice

There are 5 different Learning theories that we learn about in this course being Behaviourism, Constructivism, Cognitivism, Social Learning Theory, and Connectivism. All of them are achieved in different ways and serve different purposes within the grand scheme of learning. Behaviourism, focuses on observing behaviours on an individual or group to see how they are influenced by the environment they are in. Constructivism, Reflects on how learners gain knowledge Suggesting that learners create their own understanding of the knowledge they are taught through experiences and reflection on their own lives. Cognitivism, is the role of mental processes such as memory, and problem-solving questions and equations. It works on learning about the brain and how knowledge is stored within it. Social Learning Theory: Highlights the importance of social interactions, communication and observation in learning. It is about how  People can learn by watching others and matching their behaviors based on what they have seen. It is the “Learn by example” approach that you have definitely heard of. Connectivism: Is a newer theory than the others that focuses on “learning as a way of connecting specialized information sources and forming networks” (Joshua Hotchin). It is particularly relevant now in the digital age, where more information than ever is accessible in abundance. This allows for more learning to take place making this area of learning that much more important.  

Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses among the various learning theories. For me the one I struggle with the most is cognitive. I have a problem with my working memory so when I have to do cognitive learning it can sometimes be extremely confusing for me. So my preference has always been to use the other forms of learning. Out of all the learning theories, connectivism combines with me most. This theory emphasizes the importance of digital learning and the ability to learn at your own pace which is extremely beneficial for me. As a student, there is great value in creating my own digital learning environment, selecting resources, and engaging with experts and peers to refine my understanding on a given topic.

The Role of the Instructor in an Online Course 

In an online course, the instructor’s role extends beyond traditional lecturing to that of a facilitator, support giver, and opportunity creator within the learning process. Effective online instructors demonstrate clear communication, accessible outlets, and adaptability for students’ needs. In my experience, to be a good instructor online I believe they need to foster engagement by creating interactive content, encouraging discussions, and providing timely feedback on graded assignments. The most impactful online instructors have been those who actively participate in discussions, offer multiple forms of content delivery whether it be videos, readings, podcasts, and create a supportive learning environment for all of their students.

Exploring Digital Spaces

Digital learning spaces offer numerous advantages, such as flexibility, accessibility, and the ability to engage in global communication. In today’s world Information is all around us, some of it true, some of it false. But the Internet is a place where you can learn just about anything you want to as long as you are looking in the right place. We are all learning new things every day and that is thanks to digital spaces.”Exploring digital spaces involves understanding the different types of online environments and how they can be used for learning and personal development” (Joshua Hotchin). Even with such a powerful tool it is vital to learn how to use it, as I said before there is a lot of false information online as it is the readers job to be able to decipher what is real and what is not. Overall, If used correctly and effectively Digital Spaces are the most powerful tool we have to learn about anything we want.