Universal Design for Learning:A Framework for Teaching All Learners

August 20-22Wakefield, MA

UDL Connect:

For Online Resources & discussions

1. Sign up for the site2. Join our group

#UDL social media

CASTUDL CenterAIM Center

Use Twitter? Use #UDL in your tweets during the workshop!#UDLchat: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month, 9-9:30pm ET

Who are we?

Loui Lord Nelson llordnelson@cast.org

Allison PoseyEmail: aposey@cast.org

Getting to Know YouFind a ‘QUADRANT PARTNER’ for discussions

during the institute

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Institute GoalsDay 1: Build background• To learn how UDL addresses challenges of

learner variability

Day 2 & 3: Application• To strategize how to apply UDL to practice• To build tools & resources

Seen another way:

Build Background

UDL Guidelin

esApplica

tion

Lesson Planning

This workshop: build awareness

What are your goals?

• For this workshop

• For your professional development

Where are you in your understanding about UDL?

1 = Just beginning!

2 = I know a little about UDL!

3 = Ask me anything about UDL: I could lead this session!

The Marshmallow Challenge

Goal: to build collaboration around design

Rules• 18 minutes, team of 4• build the tallest freestanding structure

– Cannot be suspended– Entire marshmallow on top

• Use as much/little of the contents in bag (not the bag); can break, cut…

• Cannot hold onto the structure

Have fun, collaborate & be creative

Begin!

Watch the TED talk (optional)

Why begin with this exercise?• Design:

– collaborative– iterative process

• Goal driven

• Feedback about what works, prototypes– Uh-oh ta-da!

Why start with that activity?

Variability!

– Strategy

– Engagement

– Representation

Current neuroscience about learning

*Variability

*Learning occurs at the dynamic interaction between learner & environment (context matters!)

Variability:

Context matters

UDL: Variability & Context Matter

Elbow buddy discussion

• Share a key take-away.

• What resonated?

• How do ideas of variability & context relate to this discussion?

Break

Building Background:

Started ‘in the margins’

Inspired by Universal Design… “all new environments and products, to the greatest

extent possible, should be usable by everyone regardless of their age, ability, or circumstance.”

What is the goal?What are the barriers?

You can retrofit, however …

How can you design from beginning to reduce barriers so all can reach the goal?

Goal. Barriers. Design. For all.

Choose one & discuss: What is the goal?

What barriers does it reduce? How do all benefit?

Ramps

Curb Cuts

Electric Doors

Captions on Television

Easy Grip Tools…

UD Assumptions1. Not one size fits all – but alternatives

for everyone.

2. Not added on later – but designed from the beginning.

3. Not access for some – but access for everyone.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

A mindset for designing learning experiences

• all individuals can gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning

• reduces barriers to the curriculum while maintaining high achievement standards for all

UDL• Accounts for variability and context

• Thinks of changing the curriculum, not the student

• UDL Guidelines: clarify goals, ensures all have flexible, accessible means to access

Curriculum: Goal? Barriers? Design?

Make available for all

Questions, Reflections?

UDL Guidelines: help design toaddress variability & context

3 Principles

Guiding Principles of UDL

Provide Multiple Means of Representation

Perception

Language and Symbols

Comprehension

Resourceful & Knowledgeable

Provide Multiple Means of Expression

Physical Action

Expressive Skills and Fluency

Executive Function

Strategic & Goal-Directed

Provide Multiple Means of Engagement

Recruiting Interest

Sustaining Effort and Persistence

Self-Regulation

Purposeful & Motivated

Recognition Networks Strategic Networks Affective Networks

Team Challenge: Re-design Marshmallow activity

– Think about variability & context from start– Design so ALL can achieve the goal:

To have a tall, freestanding structure with marshmallow on top

• What are potential barriers to reach the goal?• Use the 3 UDL Principles to meet the predictable

variability in: – Recognition– Action & Expression– Engagement

Share ideas

Where are you in your understanding about UDL?

1 = Just beginning!

2 = I know a little about UDL!

3 = Ask me anything about UDL: I could lead this session!

Questions? Comments?Coming this afternoon!

Dive deeper into UDL

Guidelines!

MSHA, October 2012

http://www.funkylunch.com/

LUNCH12:00-1:15