Technology can be used to provide progress monitoring feedback to instructional staff and students in a timely manner. In this case, the phrase “timely manner” means:

• Getting data on formative progress in time to make effective changes in the instructional activities

• Providing instructional scaffolds

• Decreasing barriers to engagement

• Increase the intensity of instruction

• Providing interventions targeting academic and behavioral needs

Formative, interim, and summative assessments should be designed to provide students, parents, instructional staff, therapists, and administrators with data in a format that is easy to understand and supports academic and behavioral problem-solving.

Universal Design for Learning principles should be considered when planning the purchase and use of technology devices, technology services, and any instructional materials or digital curriculum. Appropriately selected technology resources can improve student access to instructional materials and content by:

• Removing barriers to active participation in and progression through grade-level standards

• Providing options for engagement, representation, action, and expression

• Supporting differentiated instruction

• Supporting students in becoming expert learners

Technology tools can provide students options for executive functioning, self-regulation, goal setting, and progress monitoring. For students to become expert learners, they must have access to progress monitoring data and a variety of instructional scaffolding tools and technologies that they can use to address academic and behavioral needs.

Digital personalized learning systems can provide adaptive instructional activities that are tailored to each student’s needs based on grade level standards, goals, and objectives. Computers, mobile devices, and secure social media tools can be used to highlight and teach behavior expectations, acknowledge appropriate behavior, and respond to inappropriate behavior. Digital simulations, virtual reality systems, and gamification strategies can be used to create highly engaging learning environments.