Universal Design forLearning

Heather PageEDUC 7109

Audience and Objectives:

This presentation is intended for Edgewood Middle School Core Subject and Related Arts Teachers who teach students in grades 6-8.

The presentation will …. Explain clearly what UDL is Provide resources that can be utilized to help with implementing UDL in the classroom How technology can be used to enhance instruction as part of the UDL framework

Timeline for Presentation….

• Overview of UDL 5 minutes

• Reasons for UDL 5 minutes

• Curriculum Components of UDL 15 minutes

• Brainstorm/Debrief 5 minutes

Graphic Organizer for Presentation…

Presentation Graphic Organizer

Please click on link to access the graphic organizer

What is Universal Design for Learning????

Universal Design for Learning is a set of principles for curriculum development that give every student an equal opportunity to learn.

Equal Access: Universal Design

While watching the video, take note of the various aspects that are being utilized to help accommodate the different learning styles.

Inspiration for UDL …

Universal design for learning was inspired by the Universal Design movement in architecture (Laureate Education Inc., 2010a). Architects began making plans that would suit anyone, so that not only would everyone would have access to all buildings, but there would also be choices available. The idea behind UDL is the same: design learning activities that are accessible to everyone (Laureate Education Inc., 2010a).

Why implement UDL????

• UDL ensures that all students have the challenges and support they need for meaningful access to the curriculum and assessments that accurately measure their knowledge.

• UDL ensures that all educators have the strategies, tools and instructional materials they need to effectively address the diverse learners in their classrooms, including gifted students, English language learners and students with disabilities.

UDL in the Classroom

In this video, you will find out more about how the concepts of Universal Design for Learning are being applied in the classroom.

Supplemental Resources…

http://www.udlcenter.org/implementation/examples

On this site you will find teacher-friendly examples and resources that illustrate each of the UDL checkpoints. Exploring these examples and resources not only helps to clarify what is meant by each of the checkpoints but also gives teachers ideas of ways to implement UDL in their classrooms.

http://www.udlcenter.org/resource_library

This link will take you to The Resource Library at the National Center on Universal Design for Learning. This library offers rich resources in a variety of media to improve understanding of UDL and support its implementation.

http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/

This link will take you to a wikispace that provides free technology resources that can be used in your classroom to incorporate UDL

Four Components of UDL…

Four highly interrelated components comprise a UDL curriculum: goals, methods, materials, and assessments.

Goals of UDL Curriculum….

Describes learner expectations

Written to acknowledge learner variability

Aligned to standards

Differentiates from the means

Offers options

Focuses on developing expert learners

CAST UDL Curriculum Self-Check

The CAST UDL Curriculum Self-Check Tool helps you apply UDL principles to your teaching in order to reach and engage all students. The tool helps you to check your curriculum goals, materials, methods, and assessments.

http://udlselfcheck.cast.org/

Materials of UDL Curriculum…

Media is used to present content

What the learner uses to demonstrate knowledge

Materials are variable and flexible

Multiple type of media is embedded

CAST Online UDL Studio

UDL Studio allows anyone to make universally designed educational materials with levels of learning supports.

http://udlstudio.cast.org/

Methods of UDL Curriculum…

Instructional decisions, approaches, procedures, or routines used to accelerate or enhance learning

Evidence-based methods and differentiated methods

Adjusted based on continual monitoring of learner progress

CAST UDL Toolkit

The UDL Curriculum Toolkit is an open-source web application designed to support the creation of interactive, multimedia curricula according to the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

http://udl-toolkit.cast.org/home

Assessment of UDL Curriculum…

Assessments should support students and vary in terms of their strengths, weaknesses, and learning needs.

The process of gathering information about a learners performance

Uses a variety of methods and materials

Used to determine a learners knowledge, skills, and motivation

Used to make informed educational decisions

Toolkit for UDL Assessment

These materials were developed through projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Many were developed by projects affiliated specifically with the Department's Office of Special Education Program's Technical Assistance and Dissemination (TA&D) Network.

https://www.osepideasthatwork.org/udl/assessment.asp

Central Role of Technology in UDL…

• Technology and digital media play a central role in UDL. Traditional instruction relied on speech and printed resources, which created a learning barrier for many students.

• Technology allows for flexibility and options to customize the learners experiences. The use of technology drastically increases the accessibility of resources for learners.

• Examples:

Captioned and/or narrated videos

Voice recognition programs

Electronic texts

Manipulating text for the vision impaired

Spelling and grammar checker

Impact of UDL on Student Learning

- All students will have access to learning

- All students will be engaged in their learning

- All students will be empowered learners

- All students will feel more comfortable in their learning environments

Ways that teachers can incorporate UDL…

6 ways to engage all learners using UDL

http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/12/03/6-ways-to-engage-every-learner-using-udl.aspx

1. Use multiple strategies to present content.

2. Use a variety of materials.

3. Provide cognitive supports.

4. Teach to a variety of learning styles.

5. Provide flexible opportunities for assessment.

Research shows that that each brain processes information differently

What Brain Research tells us about Learning differences

How does UDL Support Cultural and Academic Diversity?

UDL provides a level playing ground for all students.

UDL supports cultural differences by allowing students different means of expression.

UDL encompasses academic diversity by giving any student an alternative way to approach or complete a task.

UDL is a method that prevents student from giving up because it allows so many options to provide for a comfortable learning environment.

References….