What Is UDL?

The purpose of my blog is to explore the different Assistive Technologies available to educators to create a learning environment that reaches all students. All students learn various ways and have different needs, therefore our classrooms must be designed to actively engage every student.

 
I begin my blog on Assistive Technology focusing on UDL. Like many of you, I am a clean slate and have very little knowledge on the subject. Let's gather a clear understanding by examining this Wiki Site.

UDL or should I say Universal Design for learning is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. The emphasis of UDL is creating a learning environment that guarantees everyone a chance to acquire knowledge. It is designed to offer educators the chance to meet the physical, intellectual, and cultural needs of their students. Teachers make accommodations for special education students and occasionally those accommodations are beneficial to everyone. The comic below is an everyday example of universal design.

The person in the wheelchair needs the ramp to enter the building and the guy shoveling has decided to start with the stairs. Had he shoveled the ramp first everyone could have gotten into the building using the ramp. 

The Three Principles of Universal Design for Learning

1. Multiple Means of Representation: Teachers must present the information and content in different ways to give learners various ways of acquiring knowledge and information. The comic above is an example of the representation principle in universal design for learning. I did not only explain UDL in writing but provided a picture to assist visual learners in understanding what UDL means. The picture helps everyone in their comprehension.

2. Multiple Mean of Expression: Teachers must differentiate the ways that students can express what they know. Not all students excel at paper and pencil test for many different reasons. Some may surpass all expectations if given the opportunity to show what they know through a poem or acting out a play. A student with a speech impairment can not speak but they can express their knowledge through an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC) device. Teachers must offer these students a chance to express themselves.

3. Multiple Means of Engagement: Teachers must tap into learners' interest, offer appropriate challenges, and increase motivation. There is no best way to engage all students because they are all different. Some prefer routines while others crave spontaneity and to move around. Teachers are obligated to compose different ways of engagement into their lessons to reach all their students.

The WikiSite on UDL has proved very informative. I have gained an immense amount of knowledge and I hope you have too. For more information, please view this YouTube video. I found it humorous and informative. Until next time!