UDL and Technology in my classroom

Universal Design in Learning is really all about providing alternatives to learning. It’s about providing many different ways to get to the same goal. In my classroom I teach music. So the goal is for a particular student to become more proficient on their instrument. But there are many ways to get to the same end point. I didn’t realize, until recently learning about UDL, that I was actually employing it in my teaching. Here are some of the ways in which I use both UDL and technology (Asistive Technology) in the teaching of music.

Audio – Some children, whether it’s an actual learning disability or just their personal style and preference, either can’t read music on a page or just can’t bring themselves to focus on written exercises. In this case they always respond well to audio listening exercises and imitative learning based on what they are hearing. Some would call this transcribing although since it’s not being written down, it could be called audio-imitative transcription. The technology used would be a traditional stereo or radio but in these times it’s usually and iPod, iPad or Smart phone plugged into the radio with an adapter.

Video – Some children are not able to pick up enough of the details when listening to music that are necessary to transfer to an instrument. In this case video comes in very handy and for that, YouTube is the answer. It is truly incredible how many music videos are available online now. In the past, it was a challenge to find the various physical VHS and DVD’s necessary to learning. So now a student can see first hand how to execute a certain passage on their instrument and it makes a world of difference.

Garage Band – Sometimes it is very useful to use an audio exercise to play along with in order to strengthen certain skills being learned. It is very hard for beginning students to play along to professional recordings and additionally, it is hard to find the just-right recording at the appropriate tempo or in the correct key. In this case, Garage Band comes in very handy. Other software like Protools works great too but is more complicated than what is needed here. In Garage Band, it is very easy to quickly input an exercise, loop it, and then bounce it to an audio file for export or burn to a CD.

Smart phone, digital recording device – all of these devices usually have a way to record live. Recording oneself playing exercises is a very useful way to hear the specific places that need extra attention when learning new skills. Also, often times, a student can’t hear or is unaware of the mistakes he or she is making. I can playback an exercise that one of my students just played and they can learn how to hear the difference between a well executed passage or a poorly executed one.

These are just a few ways in which technology helps to further the cause of Universal Design in Learning. I have worked with both children and adults who have Multiple Sclerosis, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Asperger's Syndrome, and other challenges. These various avenues mentioned above have helped to get around certain impediments presented by people with disabilities and others who don't have disabilities.

By Tobias Gebb