Universal Design for Learning

Kim JordanWalden University

Jacqueline Derby 

EDUC-6714I-2 Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through TechnologyNovember 27, 2011

What is Universal Design for Learning?

It’s an instructional approach that opens up learning opportunities for ALL students.

UD

L INS

PIR

ATIO

N~

“The concept of UDL was inspired by the universal design movement in architecture. This movement calls for the design of structures that anticipate the needs of individuals with disabilities and accommodate these needs from the outset” (Hall, Strangman, & Meyer, 2011).

Examples of UDL Inspiration~

Example:

wheelchair ramp

Example: elevator

Example: Accessible

Buildings

UDL

Builds maximum flexibility into the curriculum.

Gives every students the opportunity to learn (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009).

3 Principles of UDL~

Principle I: Provide Multiple Means of Representation (the “what” of learning)

Principle II: Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression (the “how” of learning)

Principle III: Provide Multiple Means of Engagement (the “why” of learning) (CAST, 2011)

Principle I: Provide Multiple Means of Representation

Provide information to students utilizing the different learning modalities.

Provide mnemonic devices. Provide options for students to apply

meaning to a concept. Present information through different

perceptions.

Principle II: Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression

Provide material in which all students can interact with.

Provide different way for response, selection, and composition.

Set long term goals and provide opportunities for everyone to reach those goals.

Provide students opportunities to become owners of their own learning.

Principle III: Provide Multiple Means of Engagement

Provide multiple opportunities to actively engage students.

Provide meaning to the curriculum where students can activate prior knowledge to create a connection with the content.

Technology in UDL

Utilizing technology in the classroom provides meaningful and engaging instruction in the classroom. It offers flexibility to display and mark content (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009).

Technology provides authentic learning experience that meets all learning modalities.

Technology Examples and UDL

Electronic versions of textbooks Captioned/narrated video Spell check and Thesaurus Talking dialogue and voice recognition Computer sources such as Compass

Learning, V-Math Voyager, Study Island, BrainPop, United Streaming, and Pearson Math.

Kidspiration/Inspiration for organizing content

UD

L IN T

HE C

LAS

SR

OO

M

Utilizing UDL in the classrooms within my school will provide a meaningful learning experience. If teachers in my building use UDL as way to create lessons, students will be challenged, actively engaged, and become academically successful. This will all be due to the idea that students are learning information through their own learning modality.

Creates our future

UD

L AN

D B

RA

IN N

ETW

OR

KS

The brain is one big integrated network, but for convenience we only think of three different grouping with in that network:

1. Recognition

2. Strategic

3. Affective

Recognition Network~ “the what of learning”Networks in the brain that enable us to identify and understand information, ideas, and concepts; networks specialized to sense and assign meaning to patterns we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell.

Allows us to make connections with the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learner. This is where we must provide multiple opportunities for kids to take in and process information.

It’s how we gather what we see, hear, and read. (Alblett, Bellizzi, Byers, Cove, Dobrusin, Hanke, Koopmans, Newcomb, & Snitzer, 2005)

Examples of Recognition Networks are :Identify letters, words, pictures, tastes, smells, roads, content, utilize graphic organizers, multimedia texts,

Strategic Network~ The “how” of learningThe axons leave and go out to the muscles to process actions and plans. This is where students need to be able have different outlets to express themselves.

Examples of the Strategic Network are:Running, shooting baskets, making plans to design something, write an essay, work out a math problem, conducting an experiment using the scientific method.

Affective Network~ The “why” of learningFocuses on how to get the learner engaged and remain motivated. It is about the emotional aspect and being able to evaluate their learning process. Students need to be provided with different avenues to be engaged in the curriculum.

Examples of the Affective Network are:Challenge studentsGet them excited about learningProvide interest that will motivate them to want to learn.

IMPLIC

ATIO

NS

OF

DIFFE

REN

TIA

TIO

N (U

DL)

“Technology, in particular digital media, makes UDL implementation practical and achievable in a diverse classroom. Digital materials make it possible for the same material to be flexibly presented and accessed—even adapted on a student-to-student basis” (Hall, Strangman, & Meyer, 2011)

CAST Online Tools

http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/This website is a great source to create lessons that differentiate instruction and meet the needs of every learner.

http://www.cast.org/learningtools/book_builder/index.html This website allows teachers to create their own book digitally. Teachers can edit and create their very own reading material and it can be utilized for ages three and up. This would be a wonderful tool at the elementary school level in which I work.

http://www.cast.org/learningtools/strategy_tutor/index.htmlAs a 5th grade math and science teacher, I conduct quite a bit of research in my classroom. This website will enable my students to read, research, collect, and comprehend the information that sometimes may overwhelm them better

References:Alblett, E., Bellizzi, D., Byers, j., Cove, S., Dobrusin, M., Frey, A., , Hanke, J., Koopmans, R.,

Newcomb, J., & Snitzer, C. (2011). Universal Design for Learning for the Middle

School Classroom. Retrieved on November 20, 2011, from

http://udlforlearning.wikispaces.com/.

CAST Teaching Every Students.(2011). UDL Solutions finder. Retrieved on November 20, 2011, from http://www.cast.org

Hall, T. , Strangman, N., & Meyer, A. (2011). Differentiated Instruction and Implications for UDL

Implementation. National Center on Accessible Instructional Material. Retrieved on November 20, 2011,

from http://aim.cast.org/learn/historyarchive/backgroundpapers/differentiated_instruction_udl.

Laureate Education, Inc. 2009 (Producer). Brain research and UDL (DVD). Reaching an engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.