Technology plays an important role in supporting Universal Design for Learning (UDL) . UDL is a framework that aims to enhance learning for all students by leveraging technology in curriculum design to prevent or reduce barriers. The goal of UDL is to provide all students with equal opportunities to learn. Here are some ways in which technology is associated with UDL:

• Assistive Technology (AT): AT and UDL complement each other such that advances in one leads to advances in the other. AT is designed to help individual students compensate for barriers in the curriculum, whereas UDL is about leveraging technology in curriculum design to prevent or reduce barriers. Computer-based AT can support equal access to educational opportunities for students with disabilities, and UDL relies on technology to “enhance learning for all students” .

• Flexible learning options: Technology can provide a variety of flexible learning options and opportunities for engagement, which is a key principle of UDL. Digital learning tools can be used to scaffold and support all learners, in every environment. For example, ‘speech to text’ software can help to express words while learning online, and ‘text to speech’ tools can aid comprehension.

• Multiple means of representation: UDL requires the curriculum and the basic components of pedagogy and classroom processes to be accessible. Technology can offer information in more than one format, such as video or hands-on learning, in addition to textbooks. Digital materials are readily customizable, empowering students and their teachers to choose alternative ways to access content, such as through captioning of video for the hearing impaired, adjustable font sizes and other visual displays, and on-demand translations or multilingual glossaries for language learners.

• Multiple means of action and expression: UDL provides kids with multiple ways to interact with the material and demonstrate knowledge, such as an oral presentation instead of a pen-and-paper test. Technology can provide alternative ways to study, revise, and learn. For example, Read&Write and Equatio are digital tools designed with UDL in mind that can help learners with everyday tasks like reading, writing, research, and organization.

In summary, technology is associated with UDL in that it can provide flexible learning options, multiple means of representation, and multiple means of action and expression. Technology can also support the use of AT, which can help individual students compensate for barriers in ...