Equity and Inclusion Through Universal Design for Learning in K–6 Computer Science Education: Perspectives of Teachers and Instructional Coaches

• In Event: Liberation-Driven Perspectives in Learning and Instruction

Abstract

Through teacher surveys and a focus group with instructional coaches, this study attempted to unpack how confident K-6 teachers felt in meeting the needs of students with disabilities, the extent to which these teachers could apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in CS education, and strategies that their CS instructional coaches used to help them meet the needs of students with disabilities. Findings revealed that teachers’ confidence in teaching CS and in meeting the needs of students with disabilities increased, but their understanding of UDL remained low throughout the study. The coaches primary aim related to equity broadly and, although they introduced UDL-based strategies, they did not explicitly call out these strategies as part of the UDL framework.

Authors

• Maya Israel, University of Florida

• Jessica Williams, University of Florida

• Brittany Kester, University of Florida

• Meg J Ray, Cornell Tech