Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) encompasses designing curriculum to meet the diverse needs of all students so that each and everyone gets an equal opportunity to learn. The teachers will set their goals and try to remove barriers that might stop them from meeting learning objective. Therefore, the UDL principles include representation and it entails providing multiple means to represent the concepts. However, the concepts may be represented by graphics, animations and explanation of the vocabulary. The second principle is action and expression (CAST, 2010). Students have different ideas; therefore, teachers should give them a chance to express what they know about the concepts. Similarly, teachers will provide feedback, models and support to the students. The third principle is engagement. Teachers should allow the students to engage by providing them with freedom and multiple means. Also, the teacher should allow the students to take risks and learn from their mistakes. .

Students have a variety of skills, interest and need to learn. The incorporation of technology and UDL can help teachers meet the various needs of students and their learning styles. The teacher can demonstrate the effective use of technology and implement the UDL principles to help students understand, navigate and engage. Therefore, they can use the digital tools to represent and express ideas and engage learners with the learning environment. Similarly, the teacher can use UDL and design instructions to support recognition learning. Students portray different ways to recognize patterns and as a teacher I will provide differentiated instructions. I will provide students with multiple examples, and highlight critical features and support their background knowledge. Also, using UDL allows the teacher to design instructions to support strategic learning (Rose, & Gordon, 2014). The strategic learning is supported by flexible models and opportunities for demonstrating skills, and relevant feedback. Lastly, UDL and technology can individualize learning by designing instruction to support the effective learning of the students. Students will be offered with choices of content and tools, and rewards. Similarly, they can be provided with adjustable levels of challenge.

UDL is a good framework that will help me accommodate the diverse needs of my students by utilizing the alternate means. As a professional, what I have learned from using UDL may impact me in the following way. It will help me develop teacher training and support. The knowledge from using UDL will allow me develop enthusiasm within the class and share it with my colleague. Moreover, in our small groups, we shall share how the UDL curriculum has exactly helped us. Precisely, the curriculum will act as a guiding tool for me to understand my goals, identify and remove the barriers and also collaborate with my staff members to overcome the barriers. Additionally, the UDL framework will allow me to select materials and methods to support my students attain their goals.

What I have learned about UDL might be helpful for my final project. The project is about the community event, and UDL’s components and principle will play a significant role. The UDL’s principles will provide multiple options that will allow learners to demonstrate their learning experience. I will use the multiple ways of engagement provided in the UDL curriculum to motivate and challenge my students in their learning process. Ultimately, I will use the broad range of resource to foster my final project. However, I will use the UDL’s guidelines to outline my goal setting and lesson planning, and address the specific needs of students.

 

References

CAST (2010). Video UDL at a glance. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDvKnY0g6e4&feature=youtu.be

Rose, D. H. R., & Gordon, D. (2014). Universal design for learning: Theory and practice. CAST Professional Publishing.

 

 
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