Universal Design Learning: Its Significance and Place in Education

Alvina T. HeadEDET 735

Dr. Wissick

What is UDL?

• Refers to “unique nature of each learner and the need to accommodate differences, creating learning experiences that suit the learner and maximize his or her ability to progress”.

• Problems in the curriuclum are found• Focuses on Differentiatied Instruction

Differentiated Instruction

• Teaching theory based on idea that instructional strategies and approaches used within the classroom should vary to accommodate each individual and diverse learner’s needs

• Teachers must be flexible,willing to adjust the curriuculum used in the classroom, and willing to modify how information is presented.

UDL in action

• Buildings are retrofitted to accommodate those with physical disabilities that use wheelchairs or other assistive technologies for mobility.

UDL in Action

• In the classroom, textbooks has been found to create learning barriers for students with disabilities (learning,visual, physical, etc.)

• Multimedia tools implemented within the curriculum (in various content areas) and within the classroom helps to break the learning barriers for all students enhancing learning processes and flexibility.

UDL in Action

Scholastic’s Wiggleworks• Interactive print and CD-ROM multimedia tool that utilizes UDL

principles within the curriculum.• Custom settings to supportVarious disabilities and learning Styles• Read aloud options (line-by-line or Word-by-word)• Single switch access

UDL: Its place in the Classroom

• Educators must understand how all students learn and how to use and select technological supports that are available that will engage students in their own learning process and provide access for all students to learn

• Educators must be able to identify specific standards and goals and communicate these goals to students

Recognition Goals

• Recognizing information that needs to be processed and learned

• Educators must provide flexible and various ways to present the same information

Recognition Support in the Classroom

• Web browsers• Word processors• Screen reading software

Strategic Goals

• Strategies and skills used in the classroom to allow students to be able to learn

• Educators must be able to allow students to utilize various means to express and demonstrate skills learned through various supports

Strategic Support in the Classroom

• Using alternative keyboards to create personalized text (ie students taking their own notes)

• Using software programs that contain digital notebooks (ie e-reader, TextHelp Systems)

Affective Goals

• The emotional and valuable engagements students make when they are engaging in the learning process

• Educators must allow students to find various supports in order to become involve in their own learning process

• Engaged student=MOTIVATED STUDENT

Affective Support in the Classroom

• Using multimedia presentations (ie Hyperstudio Program)

• Create a concept map• Create personalized websites on a particular

topic or concept

UDL Model

• Allows educators to provide a flexible learning environment for all students!