Universal Design for LearningBy Alyssa

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)UDL is a technology-driven framework that

allows us to provide every student with maximal learning opportunities.

UDL allows us toRepresent material to learners in an engaging

way,Provide learners with a means to demonstrate

their knowledge,Make learning tasks and material fun and

engaging for our students.

UDL allows teachers to represent material to learners in an engaging way through:

Presentation programs (PowerPoint, Prezi, and PhotoPeach)

YouTube, including TED TalksBrainpopPodcastsVirtual dissections and field tripsMind mapping programs (ExamTime)SkypeClassroom websites and blogsAnimotoToonDoo

Presentation ProgramsExamples: PowerPoint, Prezi, PhotoPeach,

and PhotoStory.Teachers can use these programs to create

engaging slideshows for their students.Teachers can embed videos and other

multimedia in slideshow presentations to make them more interesting to students.

YouTube, including TED TalksTeachers can use online videos to teach

students about a concept, or to provide examples from experts.

BrainPopBrainPop has

engaging videos, quizzes, and activities that teachers can use to introduce or expand upon topics.

For an example, click this link:BrainPop Mars

PodcastsPodcasts are audio files that can be used to

engage students through listening to experts on a variety of topics.

Podcasts often include sound effects to capture the interest of listeners.

For an example, click here.

Virtual Dissections and Field TripsVirtual dissections are wonderful, ethical

tools for educators. Real dissections are not always feasible or ideal for teachers. Virtual dissections allow students to learn without getting their hands dirty, and without the need for the teacher to bring in dead specimens.

The following link shows a virtual salmon dissection: Salmon Dissection.

Virtual field trips allow students and teachers to “visit” places that they may otherwise be unable to experience. For example, your class can “visit” a farm.

SkypeSkype is a video conferencing tool that

provides multiple opportunities for teachers to engage students:Your class can Skype with an expert, such as

an astronaut, to learn valuable information,You can Skype with a class across the globe, to

teach your students about different cultures,You can teach your students via live Skype

lectures, especially if you are teaching an online class.

Classroom Websites and BlogsClass websites and blogs are a great way to

convey information to both students and parents.Here is an example of a blog I created during my

practicum: Mrs. H's Classroom. In this case, my blog was used to communicate what we were doing in class to parents and other caregivers.

Class websites and blogs can also teach concepts to students in a written format, and can link to videos and other useful websites.

Some examples of user-friendly website / blog creation programs are Weebly.com and PB Works.

AnimotoAnimoto can be used to create videos that

can be used to teach students content in an engaging way.

Songs, photos, videos, and text can be customized to suit your students and the lesson you are teaching.

ToonDooToonDoo can be used by teachers to create

comics that will entice young learners and create curiosity about subject matter.

UDL allows us to provide learners with a means to demonstrate their knowledge through:Web pages and blogsPodcastsSlideshow presentations (PhotoStory,

PhotoPeach, Prezi, PowerPoint)YouTube videosToonDoo

Web Pages and BlogsKids can demonstrate their learning and

knowledge through the creation of web pages and blogs, for example “Weebly.com.”

Many web design sites are available free of charge, and are very user-friendly.

Some even include tutorials to help you get started!

PodcastsStudents can demonstrate their knowledge

through the creation of podcasts.They can make these fun and exciting

through the addition of sound effects and music.

Slideshow PresentationsStudents can create slideshow presentations

to demonstrate what they have learned.PhotoStory, PhotoPeach, Prezi, and PowerPoint

are all good examples of slideshow presentations that are user friendly and easy for kids to use. PhotoStory and PhotoPeach generally have a

heavier focus on photographs, but can also include text. The idea is to tell a story through pictures.

Prezi and PowerPoint generally have a heavier focus on text, but can include photos, links, and embedded videos.

YouTube Videos and AnimotoStudents can create their own videos (using

programs such as Animoto or iMovie).These videos can be shown in class or

uploaded to YouTube in order to reach a wider audience.

YouTube comments can be turned on or off, depending on whether or not the student (or teacher) wants feedback from an outside audience.

Movies are a good alternative for students who are shy or nervous about speaking in front of their class, but are required to do a presentation.

ToonDooStudents can use comics to demonstrate their

understanding of concepts.Comic creation programs like ToonDoo are

fun and engaging for kids.This can make the task of demonstrating

knowledge and understanding very exciting and enjoyable.

Mind MapsStudents can show what they know about

concepts or subjects through the creation of mind maps.

These can also be used to demonstrate understanding of key ideas and how they are connected.This is especially useful when there is cross-

curricular learning and overarching concepts.

UDL allows us to make learning tasks and material fun and engaging for our students through: Engaging online programs (BrainPop, Millie’s

Math House, Starfall Reading)Classroom blogs and websites Animated videos (Animoto)Survey MonkeyLive tweetingiPads

Engaging Online ProgramsSome examples include BrainPop, Millie’s Math

House, and Starfall Reading:BrainPop is a very engaging online program, featuring

animated videos, quizzes, puzzles, and activities that kids really enjoy. It covers all subjects for grades K-12, including a program for English Language Learners.

Millie’s Math House is a fun online math program for early elementary students. It allows them to add, subtract, etc. with animated characters and games.

Starfall Reading is a program that allows students to read stories, or have them read aloud. Students then complete fun activities and answer comprehension questions about the stories they have read.

Classroom Websites and BlogsStudents can be engaged through classroom

websites and blogs.Individual students or small groups can be

put in charge of adding and contributing to the site / blog each week.This is an exciting responsibility for students.Creating and adding to class websites and

blogs is a great learning opportunity and a wonderful way to show what students are learning about.

Animated Videos (Animoto)The creation of videos is very fun and

engaging for most students.It allows students to be creative and enjoy

the learning process, which means that they will be having fun while learning.

Not only do videos engage students in the learning process, but they provide a means (the final product) to determine what students have learned.

Survey MonkeyIn classrooms with access to computers, simple

one- or two-questions Survey Monkey surveys can be set up to engage students and to check understanding.

These can be presented to students at any point during a lesson in order to determine current understanding or enjoyment of the subject matter.Students can confidentially select that they are or

are not understanding a concept.Teachers can pull up the data on the SmartBoard

and address any confusion immediately.

Live TweetingIn some professions, professionals are now

live tweeting new ideas and information in order to spark thought and conversation.For example, a fish scientist might live tweet “marine

reserves are effective” during a conference presentation. Other scientists will respond to this tweet and re-tweet.

Students can use the same method with their own education.

This has the potential to create a strong and inquisitive learning climate in the classroom.

iPadsiPads are wonderful, engaging learning tools

for students.There are a multitude of apps available for

almost every subject and grade level.Students really enjoy working with iPads, as

they are often learning through fun and engaging games and activities.

CreditsRose, David H., and Anne Meyer. Teaching Every Student in

the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2002.

“What’s Wrong with Our Food System” by Birke Baehr: http://www.ted.com/talks/birke_baehr_what_s_wrong_with_our_food_system?language=en

“BrainPop” available at https://www.brainpop.com/BBC Radio Extra “How Dangerous” podcast available at

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4extra/hd/hd_20130201-1700a.mp3

Salmon Dissection available at http://www2.sd35.bc.ca/uconnect/salmon/DissectionGame.html

Credits Continued4-H Virtual Farm available at

http://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/virtualfarm/main.htmlMind Map created using ExamTime, available at

https://www.examtime.com/Animoto, available at

https://animoto.com/intro/animoto/31?c3apiks=141035&gclid=CLPFitCo1cMCFYFufgod5wkAvg

ToonDoo, available at http://www.toondoo.com/Millie’s Math House, available at

http://www.learnnowbc.ca/earlyliteracy/MillieMathRes.aspxStarfall Reading, available at http://www.starfall.com/Survey Monkey, available at

https://www.surveymonkey.com/