Universal Design of Learning (UDL) is an educational approach based on neuroscience that guides educators to celebrate and leverage diversity in planning, instruction, and assessment practices.
The UDL framework creates a comprehensive road map for educators to follow on their journey to create learning opportunities for all.
Multiple Means of Engagement:
supporting self-regulation,
getting to know your students, providing opportunities for strengths based learning
Multiple Means of Representing: providing a variety of access points, creating visual supports, leveraging multimedia and digital text options
Multiple Means of Expression: leveraging student expertise, providing choice for creation and sharing of ideas, scaffolding executive functioning
UDL requires educators to plan for diversity by finding innovative ways to front end load technology into learning opportunities.
Fortunately, here in British Columbia, we have colleagues like Shelley Moore who are not only researching and innovating, but also are creating tools for UDL teaching and learning.
Here is one of Shelley's tools that I have found very helpful in my practice: Classroom Support Plan
Access to assistive technology such as time timers, digital text, and tablets is essential for UDL teaching and learning.
Typically a component of programming for students with identified learning exceptionalities, assistive technology is the cornerstone for UDL teaching and learning. Ensuring access to assistive technology for all results in each student becoming the beneficiary of high impact learning tools often reserved for a special few.
Preparing a variety of assistive technologies relevant to the learning goals of a particular lesson is an essential part of the UDL planning process.
Below are two inspirational videos and a practical resource to encourage further exploration into the world of UDL.