Universal Design for Learning

Introduction

The term UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING means a scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice that:

(A) provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and

(B) reduces barriers in instruction, provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges, and maintains high achievement expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient.

UDL helps address learner variability by suggesting flexible goals, methods, materials, and assessments that empower educators to meet these varied needs. Curricula that is created using UDL is designed from the outset to meet the needs of all learners, making costly, time-consuming, and after-the-fact changes unnecessary. The UDL framework encourages creating flexible designs from the start that have customizable options, which allow all learners to progress from where they are and not where we would have imagined them to be. The options for accomplishing this are varied and robust enough to provide effective instruction to all learners

UDL is guided by three primary principles: Provide learners with multiple means of 1. REPRESENTATION; 2. ACTION and EXPRESSION and 3. ENGAGEMENT

 

Task

Your task for this webquest is to investigate resources and integrate the information from them and share out your learning about Universal Design for Learning

Start by completing the K-W sections of the KWL chart

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I7ykIEiU9lEqUYt8sigPgQS19Z-D4cH29iYNUI91ZN8 

Refer to the PROCESS section for details 

 

Process

You will gather information from at least 3 resources and integrate the information into a BRIEF share out of no more than 5 minutes. Use the L section of the KWL chart to take notes.  You may work independently or as part of a cooperative group.

For your share you must:

  • define UDL
  • describe why it is important in the classroom
  • give one example of UDL in practice
  • list any questions you still have about UDL
  • Reflect on past educational experiences or past practices as an educator through the lens of UDL.

Here are some additional resources to use for this process

  1.  http://www.cast.org/ and http://www.udlcenter.org/. 

  2. Read Chapter Three in UDL Theory and Practice: (Links to an external site) The Variability of Learners. You can sign up for a free account to have complete access to the full text.  Reflect on what the variability of learners means to your teaching.

  3. Provide solutions in a virtual UDL classroom:

           https://marylandlearninglinks.org/interactive/udl-interactive-activity/  

  • Identify one thing in the learning environment that you could be changed/leveraged tomorrow to increase student learning.

  • Brainstorm potential learning barriers in our professional development that you would like to change in the future.​​​​​​

Evaluation

Everyone who completes the task and includes all the elements will earn one piece of candy.

Anyone who completes an extension activity will earn 2 pieces of candy

The extension can be of your choosing but it must clearly demonstrate at least one difference between UDL and Differentiated Instruction

 

Conclusion

 

GO FORTH AND INTEGRATE THE PRINCIPLES OF UDL IN YOUR TEACHING EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!