Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Melissa Kennedy

Walden University

EDUC 7109

January 20, 2013

UDL Inspiration

Ron Mace of North Carolina State University formulated the idea of universal design in architecture.

Structures needed to be designed and constructed to accommodate ALL users, including those with disabilities, without the need for specialized designs.

Universal DesignPhysical

EnvironmentEducational

Environment

Ramps Elevators Talking signs Handrails

Electronic textbooks

Accessible Web Pages

Screen reading software

Varied choices for student expression

Universal Design Applied to Learning

Helps all students achieve success with the removal of barriers from teaching methods and materials

A blueprint to accommodate learner differences Provides:

Increased AchievementGreater student EngagementContent that matches student interestsAssignments varied based on student’s skillsVariable goals, methods, materials, and assessments

Brain Research

3 Neural Networks of UDL Recognition - “What” Strategic - “How” Affective - “Why”

Teaching must fit into three learning networks.

“Provides a basis for determining the kinds of teaching and learning alternatives most useful for a particular student in a given circumstance” (Rose, Meyer, Strangman, & Rappolt, 2002).

Implications of Brain Research

Educators must design diverse curriculums that activate all three neural networks because one size does not fit all.

Learning, teaching methods, assessments, and materials must be made to work for everyone.

Recognition Network(The “What” of Learning)

Recognize and categorize what we see, hear, and read Gathering of facts Identifying patterns

Multiple means of representation: give students a variety of ways to learn concepts by presenting information in different ways.

Recognition Tasks

Identifying an author’s style of writing Identifying letters Identifying number patterns Identifying words

Strategic Network(The “How” of Learning)

Plan and execute tasks Organize and communicate concepts Show mastery of a concept

Multiple means of expression: give students varied choices to show mastery of the concepts

taught.

Strategic Tasks

Solving a math problem Writing an essay Performing a skit

Affective Network(The “Why” of Learning)

Ability to attach emotional meaning to objects and actions. Student engagement Student motivation

Multiple means of engagement: teach to student interests, provide appropriate

challenging tasks, and motivate students.

Implication of Learning Differences

Support cultural, ethnical, linguistic, and academic diversity by presenting ideas utilizing a variety of technology tools and diverse teaching methods.

Students with disabilities can grow and succeed because barriers to their learning are removed.

Create responsive learning environments. Enhance learning opportunities for ALL students. Assignments and teaching methods are based are student

interests and motivation.Electronic TextbooksScreen Reading Software

Technology in the UDL classroom“One central idea of UDL is that as new curricular materials and

learning technologies are developed, they should be designed from the beginning to be flexible enough to accommodate the unique learning styles of a wide range of individuals, including children

with disabilities” (The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, 2012)

.

Role of Technology Remove Barriers

Electronic versions of textbooksAccessible Web pages

Multiple options for presentation of materialsPowerPoint presentationsVideos Digital Text

ScaffoldingProvide students with appropriate tools

and resources Provide varied choices for student

expressionWriting a blogCreating a Web PageUsing digital story telling software

SCAFFOLDING

Firchow, N. (2010, February). Universal design for learning-improved access for all.

Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-

technology/785-universal design-for-learning-improved-access-for-all.gs

Rose, D. H., Meyer, A., Strangman, N., & Rappolt, G. (2002). Teaching every student in the

digital age: Universal design for learning. Alexandria, VA: Association for

Curriculum and Student Development. Retrieved from

http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. (2012, November 20). What is

universal design for Learning? Retrieved from Universal Design:

http://ectacenter.org/topics/atech/udl.asp

References