https://assistivetechnologytidbits.wikispaces.com/About+UDL
The purpose of this blog is to explore the ideal ways to teach and learn. We all need special accommodations and modifications to make our lives easier ie. my children wear Velcro laced shoes because they are too young to tie shoe laces. Is it a big deal for someone who can tie their shoes to wear Velcro laces? No, of course not. That is Universal Design - support that incidentally creates an even playing field. If we think about the students and people who need a little extra support, it doesn't negatively impact the rest of us. It just levels the playing field; it gives equal opportunity. In our house, we can get out the door faster if the children get equal opportunity to get ready at the same time as we do.......at least in theory.
What exactly is UDL?
It "is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn" (cast.org). According to the Center for Applied Special Technology, UDL "minimizes barriers and maximizes learning for all students". The point is that everyone "need(s) knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for learning but every student is unique and one size does not fit all".
For UDL to be effective, teachers must have clear goals for what they would like their students to learn. Furthermore, there are three areas that must be addressed for the barriers to learning to become "flexible pathways" (cast.org).
1. Representation: Use various ways to represent information: visual, auditory, and engage the senses.
2. Action and Expression: Students should be able to represent information in various ways.
3. Engagement: Choice matters.
http://einstructionaldesign.wikispaces.com/file/view/UDL--3.png/358512369/UDL--3.png
A visual explanation of UDL - how appropriate!
All teachers have their students' best interests at heart. With all of the demands to include so much in the lessons it is easy to lose sight of the students' needs. As much as I try, I know that when the testing windows near, we review, review review. It is always important to learn and grow as a teacher. Keeping UDL at the forefront of my planning, is something I can do better.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI liked what you said at the end of your post: "Keeping UDL at the forefront of my planning, is something I can do better. It is important to learn and grow as a teacher." I completely agree with you. With all the demands of being a leader and role model (including following strict policies and state standards) in a classroom, sometimes we lose sight of what's right in front of us: the kids! Keeping UDL is the forefront of our planning processes can help us educators not let any child slip through the cracks.
Yes, you are right - keeping a close eye on the instruction of the students who can easily slip through the cracks is crucial. However, I about socioeconomically disadvantaged schools - even if the teachers want to meet the needs of the students, can they? Not really, so where to from here?
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