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