Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework that helps teachers create flexible learning environments that can accommodate students’ unique learning needs. Research shows that when teachers incorporate UDL, they are better able to meet the comprehensive needs of their students, including students with learning disabilities. The goal of UDL is to implement a variety of methods to engage students, represent information, and encourage students to actively participate and express themselves. Essentially, the application of UDL eliminates barriers to learning.

This last year has shown, more than any other, that educators need to be prepared for any eventuality that could occur. It is critical that teachers learn how to plan their lessons so that they can easily be modified depending on the situation, whether for the whole school, lasts a few days, or for one student.

Districts and schools across the country are making decisions about how to best utilize federal funding. Regardless of the programs, software, and technology professional development and training plays a critical part in acclimating educators and students to what’s “new” for best integration for teaching and learning.

We’re approaching the one-year mark of distance teaching and learning for most of our country’s schools. Last spring when schools closed, teachers had to quickly navigate new and unfamiliar technology so that they could maintain some degree of educational normalcy for their students. Many education-focused companies and organizations developed and facilitated a variety of teacher training courses that centered on software and platforms that districts invested in to deliver lessons to the millions of students now having to school remotely. Courses included learning the basic tools of GSuite for Education or Microsoft Office 365, creating and delivering lessons using specific software and applications (think Zoom), and maneuvering the complexity of all these apps, platforms, and software to deliver lessons that would engage students so that they would show up to live lessons when scheduled. Our nation’s teachers handled what they could (with blood, sweat, and tears) and came out of this unprecedented situation with more education technology knowledge than they had before this.

At this point of the year, many educators have grown comfortable with managing ed tech tools for in-class, remote, or hybrid teaching. But there is still quite a learning curve for those not altogether comfortable with ed tech and the virtual classroom — both teacher and student. With this in mind, Boxlight-EOS has designed the Platform Essentials (PE) Course for teachers and students to get acquainted with all that Chromebooks and G Suite, or Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 have to offer. Each course includes seven ready-to-use materials and resources that engage the learner, help them apply necessary skills for distance teaching and learning success, and build the confidence needed to use these tech platforms.

Boxlight-EOS understands the value of using teaching and learning technology so that it works for everyone in the classroom. The EOS Educator Essentials Professional Development Package helps teachers make the most of their technology to deliver meaningful live lessons no matter the student’s location — in-class, remote, or hybrid. As we see more and more schools switch to remote or hybrid learning this school year, we want to help teachers meet the challenges of providing quality instruction whatever the classroom environment.

Boxlight has partnered with Samsung to provide an impressive education bundle: classroom displays, teaching and learning software, and professional development.

Boxlight is excited to announce that the Boxlight Store for accessories and software is now open to serve customers in the UK. We understand the need to expedite the process of purchasing accessories for your Boxlight hardware. On the homepage, simply click ‘Accessories’ and purchase items such as cables, remote controls, and stylus pens. Help educators maintain the flow of learning by having the accessories they need in one convenient place.