UDL - Universal Design for Learning

Shahi is a visual dictionary that combines Wiktionary content with Flickr, Google or Yahoo images.  This is an excellent tool to help all learners make visual connections to any vocabulary in any content area.

Why UDL?

Shahi's visual dictionary supports the UDL principle of multiple means of representation by illustrating words and concepts non-linguistically.

Todd Rose, from CAST at the Cyberlearning Research Summit on January 18, 2012, discusses why variability in learning matters.  There is the myth of the average learner that currently exists.  We need to understand the variability in learning and how to design new learning environments for the full range of learners in the classroom.

He ends his talk with this question:  "What do we want cyberlearning to be?  First we need to understand variability and how we design for it."

"Our brain's Strategic network helps students answer the "how" of learning through organizing, evaluating, planning and performing tasks. When our students have the opportunity to express their learning in different ways, they are finding different ways of action and expression. For example, students could write an essay, give a PowerPoint, or create a podcast about a particular concept."

Matt Bergman includes online resources that support UDL Principle 2 with alignment to the specific guidelines under this principle.

Aaron Puley provides a set of links to a wealth of resources that can support assessment, differentiated instruction and the principles of Univeral Design for Learning. 

Learn where UDL is being successfully implemented in Postsecondary Education!

"Universal Design for Learning (UDL)is an important educational framework to consider for postsecondary education. Thoughtful planning through the lens of UDL can offer important options for learners as they navigate a range of college or career postsecondary opportunites.We know that students are incredibly diverse in their learning needs, preparation, and approaches. UDL offers a practical instructional method to anticipate this learner variability and provide every student with equal opportunities to learn.

UDL is also an effective means for shaping learning experiences outside the classroom, such as online instruction, hands-on learning, or work-study experiences."

Here is a short video explaining the concept and practice of Universal Design for Learning. 

San Francisco State University - The Center for Teaching and Faculty Development has provided a set of best teaching practices and video case stories for Universal Design for Learning. From their perspective "Universal Design for Learning is a process of making course concepts accessible and skills attainable regardless of learning style, physical or sensory abilities."

What is the difference between Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction (DI)?  In this  explanation it appears that UDL often empowers the learner than relying on the modifications by the teacher.

"The significant differences between UDL and DI tend to dwell within the world of the how and when in addressing the diversity of the student and classroom. DI is the modification of the curriculum in order to properly educate the student with his/her specific learning needs or preferences. UDL contrasts this because it addresses the diversity of the student at the construction of the curriculum. UDL also integrates the methods for DI within the lesson or curriculum allowing the student the ability to become more educationally aware so that they are in command of their own education rather than having to rely on the possible crutch of the modifications made by the educator."

"Starting March 20th, 2012 (1 week from Tuesday), PATINS will begin a new online video series on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM), Assistive Technology (AT), UDL and other collaborations with Indiana service providers. Many of these videos will be LIVE broadcasts and they’ll always be during lunch at 11:45am EST! They will all be short (15-minutes) and practical/applicable to your districts, schools, and classrooms right away."

"PowerUp is a free website for school leaders and Grade 4-6 teachers who want to know how to use technology to help all students excel. It features current research and guides Leadership Teams in using data-driven decision-making to help teachers create PowerUp Classrooms."

Become a part of a field test and learn how to transform your classroom through UDL-based approached for students with disabilities and their classmates.

Jason Gibson makes some important points about how to meet the need of ALL learners.  First and foremost, know your learners before you decide on an instructional  strategy and the technology you may use.  How do you do this?  Use the UDL Class Learning Profile.

"I wanted to share a foundational principle for meeting the needs of ALL learners. Before you select the technology, you must identify the strategy. Before you select the strategy, you have to know where your learners are in regards to the content/skill you are teaching! Knowing this will allow you to make the best instructional (including when, what, and how with technology) decision for each learner. Haring, et al., 1978 was one of the earliest to dive into these stages and it has moved forward with a few minor changes through the years. Here they are (drumroll please!): Acquisition, Fluency, Maintenance, and Generalization."

The iBooks Author app for the Mac offers several features in creating books that can support the principles of Universal Design for Learning:

> "Text, audio, video and image together, providing multiple options for representation and engagement;
> Enlarge pictures and text so we can get up close;
> Re-play videos so we can repeat and revisit ideas;
> Listen to the text read aloud by Apple's built-in screen reader, Voice Over."

Go to the Apple help page "How to make your ibooks accessible" (support.apple.com/kb/HT5073?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US) to learn how to create a book that is accessible!