Week Six (Chapters Ten and Eleven): Topic (Educational Technology), Module (Assistive Technologies/Universal Design) – Clip: UD for Special Needs

There are several advantages of universal design in education. According to the video, a great design is a design for all. In today’s world, it is simply not enough to have a “one-size fits all” approach in education. Through universal design in education, individuals with various learning styles, learning needs, or learning difficulties would not be deprived of an adequate education. Additionally, universal design in education is ensuring that all students learn but not necessarily at the same pace. Lastly, universal design in education is advantageous to helping all students feel competent because teachers could meet students where they are and bring them to a higher level in learning.


A universal design textbook could work for students with cognitive, emotional, or physical disabilities. There are many situations in which students with various learning disabilities are mainstreamed without the appropriate resources to become highly successful in the classroom. In other cases, teachers may not be adequately trained to work with such students. These students may be sitting in a class but may be reading several grade levels below the particular class that they are currently in. It is almost impossible to expect for those students to be successful. As long as students are promoted to the next grade, the problem worsens. I believe that a universal design textbook may be able to help students learn. These electronic books would provide a slider that students could move from various levels, such as beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Additionally, students would be given the option of selecting to read electronic books with more pictures and less words per screen.

My thoughts about integrating universal design to meet the needs of the “individual” student are favorable. I believe that each student has unique learning needs. Educators have the responsibility to get to know their students so they would gain a better perspective of how their students learn. By integrating universal design, teachers would be able to ensure that each student becomes successful.

As stated in the prior paragraphs, I believe that education can benefit from universal design. Again, there is not a “one-size fit all” approach to educating students. By incorporating a universal design, it is a possibility that all students would benefit from a quality education. This is similar to providing each student with an IEP.

I could benefit from universal design because my instructors would understand my learning needs and tailor assignments that would build upon my strengths. Additionally, these assignments would help to improve my weak areas. I could also benefit from universal design because I would spend more time working on assignments that are meaningful and less time on redundant assignments.