Technology andUniversal Design for Learning

Tracey WaidWalden University

Prof. Sherry LambertsonEDUC 6714: Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology

October 3, 2010

What is UDL?

What is UDL?• UDL = Universal Design for Learning• UDL came about because our classrooms are

increasingly diverse in students, their backgrounds and their learning abilities.

• UDL allows teachers to meet the curricular needs of students who are left behind in traditional classrooms.

• Students’ diverse backgrounds, strengths, and interests are used to develop a curriculum that all students can access and engage in to increase learning of knowledge and skills (CAST, 2009).

• UDL is based on brain research about the way students learn.

http://udl-stuff.wikispaces.com/Tools+and+Resources

Brain Research• Three main networks

of the brain are used in learning:– The “What”:

Recognition– The “How”: Skills &

Strategies– The “Why”: Caring &

Prioritizing– A curriculum needs to

help students “gain knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for learning.”

(CAST, 2009)

Implications of Brain Research

• This means we must design a diverse curriculum that activates all three networks since one size does not fill all with diverse learners.

• We need to make learning goals, methods, materials and assessments work for everyone.

Implication of Learning Differences

• UDL supports cultural, ethnic, linguistic and academic diversity.

• UDL embraces a student’s individual weaknesses and grows their strengths to allow them to overcome barriers to learning.

• UDL is a curricular approach that fully supports our district motto of “Every child every day”.

So…what does that mean for us?

Potential Impact of UDL

• UDL could help MHS reach our targeted goals from the School Improvement Plan:– 90% proficient on end-of-year tests by reaching

every student on their level– Increase digital and traditional literacy skills of

students by incorporating technology– Improve student writing by allowing for quicker,

more meaningful feedback through technology– Lower drop-out rate by engaging learners and

motivating them to persist through challenges.

So how does it work?

3 Principles of UDL

• Representation: Present content and information in multiple mediums– Highlight critical points– Use graphics and animations– Vocabulary support to make content understandable– Examples: Offering digital textbooks, pre-teaching

critical vocabulary, activating prior knowledge, having students “talk to the text”, use mark-up tools to highlight important information in digital texts, use text-to-speech software.

3 Principles of UDL• Action & Expressions: Give students options in how

they learn material as well as how they demonstrate their learning.– Give models and varied support of different achievement

levels– Provide feedback to students that recognizes their

different strengths and weaknesses.– Learners are challenged but have lots of support.– Examples: Use choice boards to allow students to use

multiple modalities to both learn and be assessed, allow students choice in subject and presentation of learning, develop alternative assessments beyond traditional written tests and quizzes.

3 Principles of UDL• Engagement: Recognize students will be

motivated by varying and diverse factors– Allow students as much choice as possible to

eliminate barriers to learning and allow them to show more interest and engage in learning.

– Help students enjoy learning so they will persist through challenges.

– Examples: Let students choose topics of interest to them, using high-interest lessons that involve technology or teen culture, encourage self-reflection of goals, reward and encourage learning in the classroom environment.

Role of Technology• Technology is a vital part of UDL– Allows teachers to access a

multitude of sources for student activities at appropriate levels

– Allows students to access materials in a variety of ways that best suit their learning styles, as based on brain research (Bray, 2009).

– Allows students freedom to demonstrate their learning through various software tools and Web 2.0 applications.

How do I get started?

Online Tools for UDL

Online Tools for UDL

CAST • CAST has many tools

available for teachers to use for UDL

• Addresses many content areas and grade levels

• Available online at http://www.cast.org/learningtools/index.html and http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/

Online Tools

CAST Lesson Builder• Explore sample lessons• Build your own lessons that

follow the UDL principles

Online Tools

CAST Science Writer• Geared toward high school

students• Helps students write lab

reports• Includes sentence starters

and text to speech• Teaches the writing process

and allows for student reflection

Online Tools

CAST Strategy Tutor• For teachers, helps to plan

web-based lessons.• Helps student research the

web effectively.• Encourages higher level

thinking skills among students.

• Helps students read more strategically online.

References

Bray, M., Brown, A., & Green, T. (2004). Diverse learners and innovative technologies. In Technology and the diverse learner: A guide to classroom practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Center for Applied Special Technology. (2009). UDL guidelines, version 1.0. Retrieved from http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines

Universal design for learning: designing curriculum and instruction for all students. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://udl-stuff.wikispaces.com/