UDL
Universal Design for Learning is an approach to curriculum that minimizes the barriers of all learners and maximizes learning for all students. The UDL is meeting curriculum goals for the diverse population of students. The way the students learn in the classroom is as unique as their fingerprints. UDL guidelines are a tool that provides help in improving and optimizing the learning of all students. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an evidence-based educational framework that supports the needs of all learners through the use of multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression (Boothe, K. A., Lohmann, M. J., & Owiny, R).
Breakdown of UDL
Universal
- Is identified as a curriculum that can be used and understood by every learner. Each learner brings their own background, strengths, needs, and interest.
Learning
- Every learner is unique and the curriculum should challenge and engage all students.
- It has three networks:
- What of learning?
- How of learning?
- Why of learning?
Design
- A flexible curriculum that accommodates all learners.
As educators we need to build, support and challenge the learners, we need to know the goal we want the students to obtain, and we need to know what barriers can we find in the classroom that will affect the learning of the diverse learners.
3 UDL Principles
1.) Representation- show information in different ways. Activate prior knowledge and support vocabulary.
2.) Action and Expression- allow students to approach learning and demonstrate what they know in different ways. Provide models and supports for their different levels.
3.) Engagement- offers options that engage students and keep their interest.
Which of these guidelines am I already using?
At this moment I am using the Representation Principle (Perception) Guideline 1 in my classroom. At the beginning of my lesson when I am going to be introducing a new lesson and vocabulary I use videos, anchor charts, vocabulary cards, and diagrams to teach my students the important concepts of the lesson. I know that all my students learn at different levels so I try to accommodate each one so they all can have equal opportunities to learn the concept being taught.
Which of these could I add right now to my teaching practice?
Checkpoint 6.4 Enhance capacity for monitoring progress
For students, learning cannot happen without feedback and a clear picture of what their end goal needs to be. I would want to start giving my students feedback on their work by showing them representations of their progress by self-reflection or scoring rubrics. This will help the students know what they did wrong and what they can do differently for the next assignment.
Which of these looks great, but I might need some help to implement?
Checkpoint 2.4 Promote understanding across languages
In my classroom, I make key information in the student's dominant language to help my LEP students but I feel like I still need more help implementing more curricular material that will help clarify the content to the students. I know that I need to embed more visuals that support more vocabulary clarification like pictures and videos. It is hard to implement Spanish materials into my curriculum because there isn't much material available in that language. I know I need to make sure there are enough linguistic alternatives available so my LEP students as well can be successful.
After reading through the guidelines I was surprised that I still need a lot to learn. I am implementing some of the guidelines but I know that I can implement more in my classroom. In this time because of virtual teaching, I would like to implement more of these guidelines through technology. I would like to learn different methods that will be effective that I can use in my virtual classroom. I do see that some of my LEP students are struggling with vocabulary because it is hard to implement those guidelines through a computer. Technology is important and if used correctly it will be beneficial to the learning of the students. Implementing the guidelines will help maximize learning for all students.
Boothe, K. A., Lohmann, M. J., & Owiny, R. (2020). Enhancing Student Learning in the Online Instructional Environment through the Use of Universal Design for Learning. Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research, 22(1).
