Leveraging
Technology Tools

Overview of Barrier: The wide variance in both teacher and students’ ability to use technology becomes more relevant in a distance learning environment. Although technology offers many ways to improve learning, it can also be overwhelming. Knowing students’ prior experiences, strengths, and needs related to technology skills and selecting tools that include accessibility features so that all students can complete the learning activities is critical. Keep it simple, familiar, and flexible. Remember, just because there are endless options for technology tools in the classroom, does not mean that every option is going to be effective in teaching or learning. (Removing Barriers to Effective Distance Learning by Applying the High-Leverage Practices, 2020, p. 16).