Our latest thoughts from the world of technology in education & the workplace

Texthelp Blog - Our latest thoughts from the world of technology in education & the workplace

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What will you do to challenge unconscious biases, and help your neurodivergent colleagues and those with disabilities, to feel more understood and welcomed in the workplace? Here's 10 pledges from HR leaders.

10 HR Leaders Make A Pledge For Disability Inclusion

1 in 3 people show unconscious bias against people with disabilities, including neurodifferences. As individuals we can all challenge our own biases. As HR leaders, you can encourage others to do the same. 

In this interview, Martin McKay shares how to reduce stigma around neurodiversity in the workplace.

4 ways employers can combat stigmas surrounding neurodiversity

1. Know your students’ strengths and barriers

All students are unique, and the way they learn best can be as individual as a fingerprint. Some students learn best by reading and working independently, while others excel by watching videos and working in groups. The goal is to understand their strengths and barriers, and to use that when designing lessons.

Determining strengths and barriers can be as simple as asking students their learning preferences, or observing them over time and keeping notes on which methods work best for which students. There are also many surveys that can help you learn more about individual strengths and barriers. One caveat is that asking students their preference doesn’t always equate to what’s best for them. For example, just because a student says he prefers watching videos doesn’t mean that is actually how he learns best.

You should also be prepared to create an individual education plan for students requiring specific accommodations. 

Although things are changing, I find that many classrooms still use paper-based materials. I’m not opposed to paper (I still buy real books from Amazon), but digital materials can make implementing UDL in a classroom much easier.

With digital content you can increase font size, easily look up definitions, use text-to-speech to read text aloud, and link out to more detailed information on almost any topic imaginable.  This is particularly useful for students needing dyslexia-friendly reading tools, or translation. 

If your current classroom materials are not in a digital format, consider ways you can change this. For example, you could replace outdated content with more up-to-date, digital content available online, or use tools like OrbitNote to convert paper-based materials to digital, accessible materials.

In addition to having content available in a digital format, it’s also important to share that content in a variety of ways. This can help ensure it fits with students’ strengths and barriers discussed above.

For example, if you’re teaching a unit on area and perimeter, you may know that some students will do well simply reading the textbook, while others would benefit from watching a video or listening to a hiphop version of the lesson on Flocabulary. Once they’ve got the concept down, let everyone get their hands dirty by working with manipulatives on their own or in a group to solve a real-life problem.

Offering multiple means of representation (UDL’s first principle) helps to ensure that students who struggle in one area do not automatically fall behind their peers.

4. Offer choices for how students demonstrate their knowledge

Sharing content in a variety of ways is only half the battle. Engaging students by giving them access to audio, video, digital text, and interactive sites, only then to hand out a paper and pencil quiz at the end of the day isn’t ideal.

Obviously some of this is out of your control as standardized testing is a necessary part of education. When possible however, do your best to give students options for how they share their knowledge. This could be a demonstration, slideshow, speech, essay or video. Even using simple free tools like Google Forms provides an upgrade to standard multiple choice tests by making it digital and helping you to streamline grading.

The number of apps, extensions, sites, and built-in supports available to students today is nearly infinite. If you have a student who needs support with reading, writing, math, history, chemistry, or any other subject, chances are, software exists to help.

Allowing students to take advantage of these supports is critical. Not only does it give them the ability to succeed independently both inside and outside of the classroom, but it also frees up your valuable time to help even more students.

A great example of a support from Texthelp that’s helping millions of students worldwide is Read&Write. Our handy extension for the Google Chrome web browser allows anyone with a Google account to have access to reading and writing supports on the web, in Google Docs, Slides, Forms and more.

Watch the video below to see how one district is benefiting from Read&Write.

Using Read&Write at Chagrin Falls to help with all literacy needs

As you can see, tools like Read&Write are a great way to provide on-demand support when and where students need it. And one of the great things about modern apps and extensions is their ease of use. Many times students simply discover these apps on their own after they are deployed. If not, usually a quick overview at the beginning of a class is all that’s needed.

Even though I’ve been talking about the importance of digital content, software supports, and other technology-related tools, it’s important to know that technology is not required to implement UDL. Sure, it can help, but if you’re in a classroom with little to no technology, that doesn’t mean you can’t implement UDL.

UDL is all about removing barriers. As mentioned, one way to do this is by providing a range of options when presenting content or asking students to demonstrate their knowledge. Instead of using technology you can still offer multiple means of representation with things like graphic organizers and handheld whiteboards that students can use as response cards. The goal is just to make sure that all students have a way to participate and learn.

Universal Design for Learning isn’t new. There are loads of resources available online that can help you get started. You can start by heading over to the UDL Center’s website to learn more about the topic and the research behind it. You can check out our dedicated resource page on the principles of UDL which can help you determine each learner's needs and create a personalized learning environment in your classroom.

Just remember to start small. Implementing the principles of Universal Design for Learning doesn’t happen overnight. For example, begin by taking one lesson and consider ways to represent the content in multiple ways to reduce barriers and help increase student comprehension. Then for another lesson, offer students multiple ways to demonstrate their knowledge. Or maybe create a short quiz in Google Docs instead of paper and demonstrate how students can use a tool like Read&Write to help with reading and responding to the questions.

By tackling UDL one step at a time, you can see what works and what doesn’t for your unique students and classroom.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in May 2017 and was updated in December 2022.

While UDL is a common phrase in many schools today, it can be difficult to practically implement in the classroom. To help with this, I’ve put together a list of 7 ideas to make introducing Universal Design for Learning into the classroom just a bit easier.

7 Universal Design for Learning Examples and Strategies for the Classroom

While UDL is a common phrase in many schools today, it can be difficult to implement practically in the classroom. To help with this, I’ve put together a list of 7 Universal Design for Learning strategies and examples for the classroom.

How to use Exam Mode in Equatio for Windows

Equatio can now be used as a computer reader for exams in line with JCQ access arrangements.

Helping students demonstrate their mastery in maths at exam time

Providing students with essential access arrangements for maths at exam time

Equatio makes mathematics and science accessible on any page, in any document with its powerful screenshot reader. With such a strong suite of features we know that Equatio transforms the maths and science classroom experience for many students. 

It now provides unrivalled accessible maths for students. Since Equatio is your students’ dependable, normal way of working across the year, it’s crucial that this support, and accessibility is available at exam time.

Periodically something makes me stop, look back and think about what has had an impact on my thinking. 

I was fortunate enough to be part of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland CEO retreat in Austin and New York a few weeks ago. It was great to get away from the day-to-day routine, to think more broadly about Texthelp and learn from a fantastic community of changemakers. The optimism was just infectious and it was at the retreat that I stopped in my tracks and took some time to reflect. 

Every day I write down a few things that I am grateful for in a private journal. As we are fast approaching Thanksgiving in the US, now seems like the ideal time to voice my gratitude. This is my letter to you all.

Ahead of the Thanksgiving holidays, CEO of Texthelp, Martin McKay takes time to reflect and give gratitude to those who shaped moments that have had a lasting impact on him, broadened his horizons and have supported his vision -- and continue to.

A Thanksgiving letter from Texthelp's CEO

A Thanksgiving Letter

I was looking for solutions that could help me to personalise learning, based on my students’ needs. Since 2013, I’ve been on a mission to spread awareness of the benefits of technology with as many educators as possible. 

Here are just 5 examples of how technology has transformed teaching and learning in the schools I work with.

How to Use Speech Input in EquatIO

Read&Write for Google Chrome - Screen Masking Overview

Introducing OrbitNote

Google Slides to create AAC communication boards

Get 5 real world examples from Partner Technologist for Google & Inclusion at Aspire 2Be, Ryan Evans of how technology tools have transformd teaching and learning across UK schools.

5 Assistive Technology tools for EVERY educator

During Texthelp’s Festival of Inclusive Education, I spoke about my journey as an educator. I started my teaching career as a secondary school ICT teacher. After a few years in mainstream education, I took the opportunity to become head of a STEM faculty at a residential SEBD school. 