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UDL - the new “Buzz” word in Education

Imagine….

Students actually come to school

wanting to learn….

Students becoming more creative in work samples….

Student test scores excel….

HOW CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE?

U.D.LUniversal Design for Learning

UDL is a framework for designing educational

environments that help all students gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning. 

UDL is a framework with three guiding principles

that parallel three distinct learning networks in the

brain:  recognition, strategy, and affect (Rose

& Meyer, 2002). 

Three Basic Principals of UDL:1. Provide multiple and flexible methods of

presentation to give students various ways of acquiring information and knowledge.

2. Provide multiple and flexible means of expression to provide diverse students with alternatives for demonstrating what they have learned.

3. Provide multiple and flexible means of engagement to tap into diverse learners' interests, challenge them appropriately, and motivate them to learn.

Let’s look at each of these concepts…

1. Provide multiple and flexible methods of presentation to give students various ways of acquiring information and knowledge.

Digital books specialized software, and Web sites Highlighted handouts overheads with highlighted text cards with tactile or color-coded ink.

2. Provide multiple and flexible means of expression to provide diverse students with alternatives for demonstrating what they have learned.

 online concept mapping software speech-to-text programs graphing to a computer cooperative learning think alouds oral tests.

3. Provide multiple and flexible means of engagement to tap into diverse learners' interests, challenge them appropriately, and motivate them to learn.  interactive software recorded readings or books visual graphics.  games or songs performance-based assessment peer tutoring.

With Digital media… UDL is powerful for educators Digital materials can be modified easily

and efficiently from one media type to another instantaneously.  For example, one might modify text to

speech, speech to text, image to text, depending on the needs of the student. 

As a result, Individualization for student learning is easier to customize.

This is a key component for the diverse classroom.

How can technology help you design instruction to support UDL learning styles and methods?

First, you must learn how the brain works…

According to Rose & Meyer (2002), “The notion of broad categories of learners-smart, not smart, disabled, not disabled, regular, not regular-is a gross oversimplification that does not reflect reality.”

By focusing on a single learner trait, other qualities are missed.  Learning how the brain works will have a significant impact on what types of learning activities are most effective in today’s classroom.

The three brain networks and the three types of

learning

recognition strategic affective

Recognition networks – are specialized to receive and

analyze information (the "what" of learning)

Provide multiple examples; Highlight critical features; Provide multiple media and formats; and Support background context.

Strategic Networks – are specialized to plan and execute actions (the "how" of learning)

Provide flexible models of skilled performance;

Provide opportunities to practice with supports;

Provide ongoing, relevant feedback; and Offer flexible opportunities for

demonstrating skill.

Affective networks are specialized to evaluate and set priorities (the "why" of learning).

Offer choices of context and tools; Offer adjustable levels of challenge; Offer choices of learning content; and Offer choices of rewards.

How can UDL and technology methods impact cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and academic diversities?

Students have options ,for example: text to speech and large print for visually

impaired or linguistic/cultural issues new-age hearing devices such as Isense for

hearing impaired, Visual aids and graphic organizers for Visual

learners Videos and concept mapping for auditorial

learners.

Other Useful Resources to Aid with UDL and Technology:

CAST - The Center for Applied Special Technology, funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), at the U.S. Department of Education, has devised teaching methods that support each of the three UDL principles.  - This site offers various learning and teaching resources.

1. Check Your Curriculum – This site will help you to see where are you succeeding at reaching all of your learners in your lessons and units. It will also help you to see where might you want to consider other instructional options and what types of impact do you expect your next steps to have on student learning.

http://udlselfcheck.cast.org/

2. Curriculum Content Resourceshttp://udlselfcheck.cast.org/resources.php

Math:National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for Interactive Math

The NLVM is a resource from which teachers may freely draw to enrich their mathematics classrooms.

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

3. The UDL Solutions Finder gives you practice in an online environment applying CAST's three UDL principles to derive alternative media, materials, and methods when planning a lesson or a unit of curriculum.

http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/udlsolutionsfinder.cfm

ReferencesCAST, Inc. (2002–2011). Teaching every student: Tools and activities. Retrieved from http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/ 

OSEP Ideas that work. Retrieved fromhttp://www.osepideasthatwork.org/udl/intro.asp

Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching every student in the digital age: Universal design for learning. Retrieved fromhttp://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/ 

http://udl-stuff.wikispaces.com/

http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/home