Universal Design for Learning

Katherine FecaninReaching and Engaging All Learners through Technology

EDUC 6714I-4May 2011

Universal Design for Learning

• What is it?A set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learnInspired by architecture-- Buildings were designed and created to be accessible for all people, even those with disabilities.

Universal Design for Learning

***Maximum flexibility with maximum opportunity***

Closed captioning and ATMs for hearing impaired

Universal Design for LearningThree Principles/Guidelines

Provide Multiple Means of

Representation

• Utilize electronic/digital text and resources

• Options that explain vocabulary

• Utilize various strategies to motivate students to use prior knowledge and make connections

Provide Multiple Means of Action and

Expression

• Allow students to choose their method of communication and demonstration of knowledge

• Encourage students to create goals for themselves and facilitate appropriate resources and strategy development

Provide Multiple Means of Engagement

• Keep students focused and motivated by providing relevance and value to their lives

• Create and administer activities that vary levels of interest, as well as, ability

• Utilize programs that can offer feedback often

Universal Design for Learning

Ultimately------ Provide students with choices and options with their academics!!!!!

Students enjoy using technology. They use it everyday on their own; cell phones, computers, video games, and iPods/iPads to name a few.

Technology helps provide those choices. Why not take advantage of them?

Universal Design for Learning

Technology examples:PowerPoint/Publisher etc. (Microsoft Office tools)Virtual field tripsOnline PortfoliosConcept mapping sites– InspirationOnline versions of textbooks, literature, etc.Audio copies of booksWord processing softwareWebquestsBlogs, Wiki-pages,

Podcasts, Interactive websites …………..

Universal Design for Learning

Technology examples:…….. the possibilities are massive!

Imagine what can be accomplished when we tap into our students’ creativity, in addition to, our own???

Added bonus: Our students will be familiar and comfortable with a variety of technology tools when NJDOE changes our state mandated testing to an online and digital format when Measurement Inc.’s contract expires.

Universal Design for Learning

Three Principles and Brain Research

Multiple Means of Representation

Recognition Network

• Located in back of brain

• The “What” of learning• How we gather facts

and categorize what we see, hear, and read

• Processes patterns

Multiple Means of Action and Expression

Strategic Network

• Located in front of brain

• The “how” of learning• How we organize and

express ideas• Planning and

performing tasks

Multiple Means of Engagement

Affective Network

• Located in middle of brain

• The “why” of learning• How and why learners

get engaged and stay motivated

Universal Design for Learning

CAST Online Tools Review Class Profile Maker: provides template for educators to

determine the learning profile of their students UDL Goal Setter: assists educators in setting goals for

the learners in their classes Curriculum Barrier Finder: helps teachers analyze

curriculum to identify any hidden barriers that students may encounter when learning and therefore, the teacher can accommodate his/her student(s) by adjusting instructional presentation and methods

Universal Design for LearningResources:Center for Applied Special Technology. (2009). UDL guidelines, version 1.0. Retrieved

from http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines

Meo, G. (2008). Curriculum planning for all learners: Applying universal design for learning (UDL) to a high school reading comprehension program. Preventing School Failure, 52(2), 21–30.

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

UDL Solutions Finder http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/udlsolutionsfinder.cfm

UDL Curriculum Barriers Finder (paper backup available in textbook) http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/curriculumbarriers.cfm

UDL Class Profile Maker (paper backup available in textbook) http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/classprofile.cfm

UDL Goal Setter http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/udlgoalsetter.cfm

Curriculum Content Resourceshttp://udlselfcheck.cast.org/resources.php#curriculum

UDL Lesson Builder http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/

UDL Book Builder http://bookbuilder.cast.org/