My PLC book was EdTech Essentials by Monica Burns. In this book, Burns gives multiple examples of EdTech tools that teachers can safely use with or for their students in different learning environments. For example, they discuss ways to use NearPod or Pear Deck to assess students during a lesson. Another example is the use of Seesaw for students to share their classwork.
Educators have many reasons for using EdTech tools. Tech tools reduce administrative time, increase student engagement, and enable faster access to assessment data. Burns shows there are multiple ways to do all of this through technology. Tech tools are ultimately a great equalizer with students. Students come with a wide range of needs, and technology can help bridge many gaps in diverse learning. Teachers want all of their students to be able to access the work they assign in their classroom, and technology can help with this. "In education, access to information is the first step for learning, so guaranteeing accessibility in the class materials plays a critical role in making classrooms more inclusive and equitable" (Kang et. al., 2024, p. 5).
One of the themes Burns discusses is that the learning goal should drive the technology. Knowing the learning goal can also drive what you will need to make learning accessible. "Given the prevalence of online activity in everyday life, we need to ensure students know how to find what they are looking for and how to make the most of the information available to them. This capability includes taking advantage of every feature within a website or mobile app, evaluating and synthesizing the seemingly endless amount of content available online, and tackling logistical challenges along the way" (Burns, 2021, p. 5). Burns also discusses meeting students where they are. As stated before, technology can be the great equalizer. Ed Tech can be an amazing scaffold for those students who need a little bit more help. Finally, Burns discusses multiple ways students can display their work using technology. Giving students a voice, no matter what their abilities are, is an important part of learning.
As teachers, not only do we have to know how all of our students can access learning in our classrooms, but we also want to learn how. "Teacher competency in many forms of accessible technology is critical because pre- and in-service teachers are expected to implement inclusive practices in their classrooms (e.g., making accessible materials to students with disabilities, enhancing independent living) and increases inclusivity (Council for Exceptional Children [CEC], n.d., a)" (Kang et. al., 2024, p. 5). Below is a video on the importance of accessibility for everyone.
(TedXTalks, 2025)
"Past studies show students with disabilities face an inaccessibility in digital spaces because instructors are ill-equipped to plan for and assess (Kent, 2015; Patel et al, 2020)" (Kang et. al., 2024, p. 5). This book is an amazing resource to find that piece of technology that will bring about digital accessibility. My group and I have added some more links to go with each chapter/learning environment. The back of the book has all of the tech tools that Burns discusses, but we have expanded on that list. You can view the list here on our Wakelet: https://wakelet.com/wake/MrKIDo-2Qf6sA9BtqhxMm.
References
Burns, M. (2022). EdTech Essentials: The top 10 technology strategies for all learning environments. Hawker Brownlow Education.
Kang, J., Patton, K., & Gardiner-Walsh, S. (2024). Success for all: Maximizing Digital Accessibility in special education teacher preparation courses through Universal Design for Learning. Journal of Special Education Preparation. https://doi.org/10.33043/4a6kfo46.
Lott, L., Smith, A., Tolbert, J. (n.d.). EdTech Essentials [Wakelet Collection]. https://wakelet.com/wake/MrKIDo-2Qf6sA9BtqhxMm.
TedXTalks. (2025, June 17). The Accessibility conversation you’re not having (but should be) [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6H5TJRiTjQ&t=169s.
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