Technology in the Mainstreamed Classroom

A group called the Center for Applied Technology has created a system called a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) which allows students to use whatever print or technological tools they need in a classroom. This article tells the story of a young girl who has learning disabilities but was able to use her personal technology in order to read a story in a regular classroom. “I had a chance to sit...with kids my age, kids that are supposed to be in my grade," she says. "And that's instead of getting kicked out of the class." The team that designed the technology program was able to also have input in the IDEA legislation, and is currently working on getting the UDL systems into mainstreamed classrooms across the country. This article also ties a link into the Youtube link on the right side of the page. With the advances in technology that are changing our everyday life, it is important to be integrating technology into every classroom, including classrooms with special education students. This system demonstrates that they most certainly have the capacity to use technology, and also are able to thrive with its aid. I think that, with our generation’s turn to technology, if special education students did not learn how to use different aspects of new technology we would be unfairly leaving them behind.