Heather Morgan

EDUG 507
Canvas Discussion Forum

How Can Assessments Be Adapted for Learners and Students with Special Needs?
As future teachers, it is essential for us to know our student population. What are their
individual strengths and needs? Are there students with a language barrier? What is their home
language? Are there students with physical impairments? What limitations do they have? Due to
the diversity of our students, we know that using only one form of assessment does not
accurately measure the understanding, knowledge, or learning of all students. As the Universal
Design for Learning suggests, teachers must differentiate the ways that students can express
what they know (http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/whatisudl (Links to an external site.)).
Here are some examples of ways to differentiate in the classroom. As an alternative for
marking with pen and pencil, or mouse and keyboard control, use speech to text technology
(http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines/principle2 (Links to an external site.)). Use
audio recording device to capture responses. Use a touch screen device instead of a traditional
keyboard for kindergarten students with emerging computer skills. Use interactive web tools
such as Google Classroom, Kahoot, or Plickers. With Google Classroom, teachers can post
prompts via article links, YouTube videos, or audio recordings and set up a discussion or
message board. With Kahoot, students can use a personal device to take a user/teacher created
online quiz. With Plickers, each student has individualized answer card; the app allows the
teacher to scan for correct answers instantly. Using assistive technology speaks to TPE 5.4: use
technology as appropriate to support assessment
Further accommodations include lengthening the time given to complete assessment,
using manipulatives, varying assessment types to include performance based tasks, and allowing
the student a separate location away from noise and distraction (Burden and Byrd, 2015, p. 290).

Heather Morgan
EDUG 507
Canvas Discussion Forum

As a future teacher, I can support student learning and success by providing students with a
variety of ways to express and display learning.