Design Options for Interaction
The UDL guideline “Design Options for Interaction” prompts us to provide accessible materials and learning spaces within which all learners can interact. Under this guideline, interaction refers to both technologies and the physical design of learning spaces. The considerations under this guideline ask us to reflect on how variable learners might access and navigate through the learning materials and spaces we design for a lesson, course and/or program. By designing options for interaction, we consider both the possibilities and limits of our learning spaces. If our classroom tables are bolted into rows, there’s not much we can do about the furniture arrangement; however, can we build in activities for learners to move through the space (both physically and cognitively) in other ways? Remember you can reach out to an accessible learning specialist and/or assistive technologist if you’re not sure where to start.
Let’s connect with Naomi about her experience supporting educators with this guideline.
Design Options for Interaction
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I'm Naomi. I work as an accessibility consultant. I work a lot with teachers and students around assessing learning activities, especially those tied to assessments. Sometimes these learning demonstrations are in the classroom and sometimes they are out in the field when students are in placement. During the pandemic, I saw small tweaks made by teachers make a difference to students. For example, planning for differences in the time it takes for students to complete activities. One tip I offer is to let all students use voice to text to record their answers, where typing might not be possible or ideal. Providing electronic documents in accessible formats lets learners change the size of the text and utilize screen readers to be sure they can understand instructions. If I had one message to share with my colleagues, it would be: you don't have to be an expert. You can reach out to me or an assistive technologist to help and support you to make these tweaks. You can also reach out to your students; they usually know what they need. Even one change you make to provide options for interaction will benefit many students, not just those with accommodations, and help them understand how best they learn.
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Design Options for Interaction - Runtime 2:01 min
https://youtu.be/rYVXlajHGWU
Feel free to write, draw, or audio record your thoughts on this prompt. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your ability to access and use technology-mediated communication? What have you noticed about how your learners express themselves using technology-mediated communication?