Abstract:

With the rapid advancement of digitalization across various domains, the integration of digital solutions (DSs) in education is experiencing a notable surge. However, DSs incorporation in learning is not consistently well-thought-out and aligned with students' interests. A recent UNESCO overview of research in this field (2023) underscores the imperative of evaluating the deployment of DSs in educational settings, with a focus on ensuring congruence with students' preferences and learning requirements. Nevertheless, DSs hold considerable potential for enhancing students' learning experiences, especially in terms of personalization. They have the capacity, for instance, to furnish personalized real-time feedback, integrate multimedia tools for content delivery, facilitate tailored learning pathways, and seamlessly integrate assistive technologies. However, when these opportunities are not customized to suit students' needs and capabilities, they may go unrealized or, worse, result in a deterioration of the quality of learning. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) offers a comprehensive framework for addressing students' needs holistically. By combining technology-enhanced learning with UDL principles, we can more comprehensively assess students' needs and strategically implement DSs. This study delves into the utilization of DSs to implement UDL, involving 646 educators. The findings reveal that while educators employ DSs diversely, some UDL principles pose greater challenges than others in terms of application of DSs for their implementation. While DSs offer abundant possibilities for communication, collaboration, and content creation, the sustenance of motivation, self-regulation, and effective learning planning demands well-crafted learning activities, which are not readily embedded in the design of DSs. Additionally, there are inherent risks associated with reducing physical activity and potentially introducing distractions in digital learning environments, which can hinder focus and engagement.

Keywords:

Technology-enhanced learning, Universal Design for Learning, digital solutions, digitalization of education, educator professional development.