4.1b

Coaches inspire educators and leaders to use technology to recreate equitable and ongoing access to high-quality learning. Coaches:

B. Facilitate equitable use of digital learning tools and content that meet the needs of each learner.

As we continue through our introductory coach standard, the Change Agent, we move from establishing a baseline of interest in indicator a, to applicable content in indicator b. Here, we are looking at how digital learning tools and other technological content can help to accommodate and differentiate for the diverse needs of all of our learners. Accommodation is truly one of the most important aspects of utilizing technology in the classroom. When I was completing my undergraduate studies at Western Washington University in Special Education, we learned about AT (assistive technology). This was really my introduction to using technology in the classroom, and it focused on the ways that we could use digital tools to assist students with learning differences. However, it wasn’t until I began working through the Digital Education Leadership Graduate Program that I really began to come to the realization that digital tools could function for ALL students, not just our students who benefit from an IEP or 504 plan. 

When researching ways for students to creatively communicate their learning, I focused on finding the different digital platforms and tools that enable students to represent their very different styles of learning with others. I created a resource for educators that included tools that focus on the different visual and auditory needs of students and how presentations can be differentiated for the needs of our students. Find that resources here: Creative Communicating Through Technology.