UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR

LEARNINGJill Capozzoli

EDUC-6714I-3 Reaching and Engaging All Learners through Technology

Walden University

WHAT IS UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING?

“UDL provides a blueprint for creating instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone--not a single, one-size-fits-all solution but rather flexible approaches that can be customized and adjusted for individual needs “(CAST, 2009).

INSPIRATION OF UDL came from an architectural movement

called universal design builders realized access was prohibitive

to certain groups of people ramps and elevators were retrofitted

causing costly renovations purpose was to create structures to

accommodate a wide spectrum of users create the structure from the beginning,

not add on later

EXAMPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGNIN THE ENVIRONMENT

ramps closed caption TV curb cuts icons and labels elevators

Universal Design in architecture helps to make the physical world accessible to all people.

Universal Design for Learning helps to make learning accessible to all students.

THREE PRINCIPLES OF UDL

1. Multiple means of representation the “what” of learning

2. Multiple options of action and expression the “how” of learning

3. Multiple means of engagement the “why” of learning

REPRESENTATION provide same information

in a variety of formatsenlarge textaudio—text to speechuse of captionsphysical objectsactivate background

knowledgehighlight critical featuressupport memory

ACTION AND EXPRESSION provide students with multiple

pathways for action and expression during a lessonprovide options for physical actionallow access to tools and assistive

technologyhelp students set goals

ENGAGEMENT provide multiple ways to engage

students interests and motivationgive choices for expressionknow their interestsencourage collaboration and motivation

TECHNOLOGY AND UDL Technology allows for the flexibility needed

to adjust to learner differences.

visual presentation enlarged print audio text—Kurzweil multimedia presentations—PowerPoint, glogster internet links to background information access to definitions, illustrations, sound files or

pictures Web 2.0 tools

IMPACT OF UDL ON STUDENT LEARNING

Engagement will increase.

All students will have the chance to be successful and achievement will rise.

Students with a higher success rate at their level and specific type of learning will provide a more positive learning environment.

Provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges.

BRAIN RESEARCHNeuroscientists have

discovered: the brain is made up

of networks learning is

distributed across 3 neural networks

these neural networks work together in learning: Recognition Strategic Affective

RECOGNITION NETWORKenables us to understand and identify information, ideas, and concepts

Examples:process patternsgather factscategorize what we see, hear, and read

Back of brain

STRATEGIC NETWORKmultiple ways in which students can express themselves

Examples:mental and motion patternsplan and perform actionsorganize and express ideas

front of brain

AFFECTIVE NETWORKengaging students with tasks and learning and with the world around us

Examples:process emotionsevaluate patternsgetting learners engaged staying motivated

core of brain

UDL AND DIVERSITY there is no regular student we all have different experiences and

interests we all process information differently UDL reduces barriers for learning UDL accommodates differences

among students

TECHNOLOGY AND UDL centered around choice and flexibility created to support individualization to

engage all learners provides tools that are as flexible and

diverse as the learners

blogsvirtual field trips

voice thread

powerpoint

smovies

wikis

CAST ONLINE TOOLS AND RESOURCES

UDL Curriculum Self-Check

helps to build options and flexibility into each element of the curriculum in order to reach and engage all students

http://cast.org/learningtools/udl_self_check/index.html

UDL Strategy Tutor

an internet research tool for teachers and students in grades 5 and up. Not only does the tool help students to better read, collect and understand their internet research, but it also guides teachers in creating web-based lessons. http://cast.org/learningtools/strategy_tutor/index.html

UDL Lesson Builderprovides you with models and tools to

create and adapt lessons to increase access and participation for all students

http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/

REFERENCES CAST, Inc. (2002–2011). Teaching every student: Tools and

activities. Retrieved from http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/ 

Daniel Oines. Flickr. Web. 25 November 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dno1967b/6210166242/

Laureate Education, Inc., (2010). Brain research and universal design for learning. Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Matt Scott. “Stairs and Ramps.” Flickr. Web. 25 November 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ranna/343690994/in/photostream

National Center on Universal Design for Learning. (2011, March 15). UDL guidelines–Version 2.0. Retrieved fromhttp://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines

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