The U.S. Department of Education recently released the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan (NETP): A Call to Action for Closing the Digital Access, Design and Use Divides. It provides a vision for how the consideration and implementation of educational technology can transform teaching and learning to provide increased opportunities and access to all learners. The plan features numerous examples of how educators have adopted Universal Design for Learning and accessibility as an integral part of instruction, assessment, and culture to the benefit of each learner they support.
Category Archives: Theory Behind The Practice
New Federal Guidance Regarding Assistive Technology
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Office of Educational Technology have recently released a set of guidance documents specific to Assistive Technology (AT). These resources, available at https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/at-guidance, are designed to promote the understanding and implementation of Assistive Technology in educational settings. The guidance documents delve into the nuances of consideration and implementation of assistive technology in a format that uses facts to dispel common myths and misconceptions. Enjoy reviewing these documents to clarify your own understanding of Assistive Technology and consider sharing this resource with other educators, families, and members of the community.
What is Assistive Technology?
Christopher Bugaj, the Assistive Technology Specialist for Loudoun County Public Schools, explains the definition of Assistive Technology Device and Assistive Technology Service in this short video.
Recommended Practices and Tips for Digital Accessibility Video
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This short video shares some helpful strategies when considering how to provide quality online experiences for everyone. Strategies discussed include but are not limited to developing a plan, learning from people with disabilities about what works for them, and evaluating materials manually and using an accessibility checker to determine if alterations are necessary.
Keyboard Access and Visual Focus Indicators Video
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This short video explores fundamental concepts behind how some people might access materials using a keyboard and utilize visual focus indicators.
How Some People With Disabilities Use Technology Video
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This six minute video shares real-life examples of how some learners and parents with disabilities access and utilize technology to have an equitable experience.
Digital Accessibility: Three Points About The Law Video
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This six minute video describes the basic principles within two federal civil rights laws relevant to digital accessibility in the educational context: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
An Introduction to Digital Accessibility for People with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. The introductory video provide insights on the importance of designing and delivering accessible experiences for individuals with disabilities.
A K-12 Inclusive Practice Guide from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) maintains a website on Inclusive Practices which provides an overview of inclusion along with an K-12 Inclusive Practices Guide available in both Microsoft Word and PDF. This guide provides information on the definition of inclusion, benefits of inclusive practices, the role of the IEP Team, common characteristics of inclusive environments, a quality standards inclusive school self-assessment tool, and much more.
Virginia Department of Education K-12 Inclusive Practices Guide
Using the Pygmalion Effect to Improve Outcomes
Evidence suggests that the attitudes and expectations people bring into an environment can impact outcomes.
This is known as the Pygmalion Effect.
The Pygmalion Effect is a phenomenon where higher expectations lead to higher performance. Our beliefs in another person lead to our actions toward them. This influences their beliefs about themselves, which impacts their actions toward us, which in turn influences our beliefs about that person. Therefore, it is important to hold high expectations for anyone being supported by another.
Watch this short video to learn more about the Pygmalion Effect.