What is Connected Teacher

The teaching and learning process of traditionally run classrooms will need to change to meet up with the requirements under the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Under the ESSA, the infusion of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework into the teaching and learning environment sets the stage so that instruction and assessment support all levels of learners. Along with UDL, ESSA supports the inclusion of technology-rich learning environments to prepare students for 21st century problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Critical to preparing students comes an understanding of who the 21st century learners are. The current teaching and learning process involving the use of technology continues to hold students back as passive observers of content. Merging technology and the UDL framework in the classroom will be an avenue to meeting the learning needs and wants of 21st century students.