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Universal Design for Learning

As educators we are faced with making important decisions every day that will affect student learning. Educators need to keep in mind that we need to make learning accessible and accommodate to diverse learning styles. Each student brings their own knowledge, experiences, talents, and needs to the table. Educators should have a plan in place that will fit all students into the teaching and learning experience. That is were Universal Design for Learning comes into play. Universal Design for Learning is a curriculum system that provides unique and equal learning opportunities for all individuals. 


As a teacher myself, I had heard of different theories similar to UDL before. After researching further into this designed system, I realized I have been using some of these methods in my classroom already. UDL is lead by three main principles that activate a learning in the brain:

1. Engagement: the WHY?
  • Recruiting Interest
  • Sustaining Effort and Persistence 
  • Self Regulation
2. Representation: the WHAT?
  • Perception
  • Language and Symbols
  • Comprehension
3. Action and Expression: the HOW? 
  • Physical Action
  • Expression and Communication
  • Executive Functions
My lessons have always been built upon the idea of these concepts, but not guided in the same exact context. Every lesson always starts with engaging the students and stimulating their interest on the subject, and keeping their interest as the lesson continues. I have never followed "self-regulation" at the beginning of the lesson, but rather in the middle and at the end once the students have learned the concepts. Self-regulation is definitely something I will do more research on to further understand the logic behind the idea of starting at the beginning. I have found myself following these concepts in my lesson, but having to modify based on my students needs and backgrounds. 

Benefits of Universal Design for Learning:
  • removing barriers- equal teaching and learning for all
  • challenging and achievable- creating lessons, assessments, and activities that will challenge students 
  • enhanced curriculum- adding technology, tools, and resources 
  • build on strengths- accentuate on the pre-existing 
  • student choice- opportunities for self-learning
  • flexibility- on lessons, assessments, and activities 
  • support- teachers will guide and support students every step of the way

As an educator, I would like to further expand my knowledge on how UDL has impacted lower income communities. I want to know how the results are directly correlated to this particular curriculum design and how scores have improved in certain areas. 

Below are some YouTube videos that further explain UDL and its impact on student learning:

YouTube: AHEAD
What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?

YouTube: TEDx
Universal Design for Learning—A Paradigm for Maximum Inclusion | Terence Brady | TEDxWestFurongRoad

YouTube: CAST
UDL At A Glance

YouTube: Teaching in Education
Universal Design for Learning: UDL

YouTube: YourAlberta
Making sense of universal design for learning


Below are webpages that offer a more detailed overview of UDL: 


The UDL Guidelines

Understood

CAST

Understood

TEAL

Comments

  1. I love all of the additional resources you shared here to help understand UDL. Your blog is clear, well-organized, and refreshing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very informative blog post. UDL is indeed very helpful in pinpointing the exact point of where in a lesson we need to focus more on to make it successful for learning in all our students. Thank you for sharing all the resources to further research more information that would help us in our future career.

    ReplyDelete

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