Universal Design for Learning: The Magic Umbrella for

All Learners

Rose Racicot, MS, OTR/LNancy Shimeall, MEd, NBCT

Nancy & Rose

• Become familiar with principles of Universal Design for Learning

• See examples of UDL in lesson design

• Identify what you already do that is UDL, and brainstorm where you might insert flexible materials

Objectives for this session:

Nancy

Universal Design – history

First: The American Disabilities Act prompted rethinking about architectural design for disabled individuals.

Now: UDL has been applied to education because the technology is more available and provides more access for all learners.

Next: The concept of UDL was applied to communication - web page designs, TTY telephone access, voice recognition software, etc.

Nonprofit CAST= the Center for Applied Special Technology http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos

Rose

Legislation laying the foundation for UDL

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) – › Requirement for schools to document › Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)› ALL students expected to make progress› Evidence –based teaching strategies

Individuals with Disabilities Act –(2004) IDEIA (http://www.msdaz.org/espweb/IDEA97_2004.htm)› Trend toward full inclusion› General education teachers › taking ownership of ALL › diverse learners

Rose

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Embedding flexible strategies into classroom activities

An umbrella for any educational approach or practice such as:› RTI, MTI, SIOP, UBD, Multiple

Intelligences› Differentiated Instruction› Gardner, Marzano, Burns› 21st Century Skills› What others do you use?

Nancy

Universal Design for Learning

Based on the premise that there is no one kind of learning› Learning differs across tasks› Learning differs across development› Learning differs across individuals

Nancy

Universal Design for Learning

Provide students with multiple means of › Representation - Accessing

information

› Expression – of knowledge based on student’s unique viewpoint

› Engagement - with the curriculum

Nonprofit CAST= the Center for Applied Special Technology http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos

Nancy

Multiple Means of Representationfor students to access information

Visual presentations – i.e. Discovery Education Streaming videos, teacher created visuals

Enlarged print, use of color , & design – i.e. Readability tool

Audio text support – i.e. ReadPlease, WebAnywhere, WYNN, Co:Writer, Clicker 5

Multimedia presentations – PhotoStory 3, Clicker 5, Powerpoint, SMART Notebook

Internet links to background information

Rose

Multiple Means of Expressionfor students to demonstrate learning

Graphic tools – i.e. Inspiration, Kidspiration, Word tools

Keyboarding with spelling supports – i.e. Co:Writer, MS Word spellcheck, WYNN, word banks

Narration, audio recording, podcasts Multimedia tools- i.e. PowerPoint, Photostory 3,

Clicker 5, Inspiration, SMART Notebook 3-D models Artistic displays – i.e. drawings, collages,

paintings Data displays – i.e. graphs and charts

Rose

Multiple Means of Engagement Infused throughout your classroom

› Student choices› Audio/visual/hands on› SMART Response clickers› Multimedia› Project-based inquiry› E-mail, blogging, wikis› Collaborative learning

Nancy

Why Universal Design for Learning?

Teachers are accountable for the learning of diverse students:› Learning disabilities› Sensory and physical disabilities › English language barriers› Background and cultural diversity› Emotional or behavioral problems › Lack of interest or motivation

Nancy

The Science behind Universal Design for

Learning Brain Networks – each person is

unique Show video http

://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos

› Recognition Networks – The way we gather facts (What)

› Strategic Networks – The way we plan and perform tasks (How)

› Affective Network – The way we are engaged and motivated (Why)

www.cast.org

Rose

How to implement UDL

Curriculum needs to incorporate flexible

materials Teachers need to be proactive

rather than reactive after students falter

General educators and special educators must collaborate

Embed UDL concepts to release the learning potential of ALL your students.

Nancy

Theory to practice: Technology is a tool

Technology makes teaching and learning more adaptable to meet the needs of each student

Technology saves teachers time and increases efficiency

Technology puts learning in the hands of students

Nancy

Theory to Practice: How might UDL look in your classroom?

Where do your students need more flexible materials?

Examples of UDL Lessons

Planning Table

Resource Handout

Nancy

Representation: Screenreaders

ReadPlease 2003 is a FREE downloadable screenreader

Rose

Representation: Reading on the Web with screenreaders

• Example: WYNN Wizard software with webmasking

• FREE online Screenreader: Webanywhere

Rose

Representation, Engagement, & Expression:

WYNN Wizard Software

Novel with interactive vocabulary lesson

Rose

Representation and Expression: Clicker 5 multimedia writing

support

Rose

Students listen and read literature on a subject first to gain ideas.

Students then write about the subject with custom wordbank, pictures and speech feedback support

Expression: Co:Writer Word Prediction Software

Rose

Representation, Engagement, & Expression: Inspiration…

Nancy

… Photo Story 3 …Nancy

… Photo Story 3 …Nancy

…and Discovery Education

Build Background Multi-modal

presentation of new info

Nancy

UDL helps ensure success for all students

Ensure adaptations are readily available for all students to access curriculum› Make electronic text available for

students who need it (National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard - NIMAS)

› New textbooks published after Dec 2006 must now be available in digital format

Rose

Enhance your Teaching

Effectiveness for ALL Learning Styles

Think Universal Design for Learning

Frontload accessible technologies into the curriculum