First Stop on My Journey...

Do all students learn the same way? Are all students on the same reading levels? Do all students have the same interests? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Each student is different when it comes the how they learn. Some may need more visual representations, where as another student needs to just hear the material being taught to learn. Accommodations and modifications made by the teacher and school is needed more within the classroom setting for students to learn.

The first stop on my journey of learning is learning about Universal Design for Learners, or more commonly known as “UDL”. UDL is defined as, "a set of principles for curriculum development that gives all individuals equal opportunities to learn" (cast.org, 2011).  There are three main principles used in UDL. These principles break down “barriers” (cast.org, 2011) to help each student maximize their potential when learning.  This simply means that not every student learns the same way, and accommodations and modifications need to be made to lessons to meet the individual needs of each student.  The three principles of UDL are:

- Figure 4.3 - Principles of the UDL Framework

Principle 1: To support recognition learning, provide multiple, flexible methods of presentation Principle 2: To support strategic learning, provide multiple, flexible methods of expression and apprenticeship. Principle 3: To support affective learning, provide multiple, flexible options for engagement.

                          http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/chapter4_3.cfm

Here is a video from Cast.org that visually represents a better understanding of the UDL’s guidelines and practices.

 
UDL Guidelines and Practices Video
(http://www.udlcenter.org/resource_library/videos/udlcenter/guidelines#video0)

 

Lastly, as a teacher it is my job to makes accommodations and modifications to each lesson, so that all the needs of each student is met. Although, I make accommodations and modifications currently for students, learning about UDL has given me a better understanding, and helps me set clearer goals when making lessons for students with individual learning needs. Just because I am the teacher does not mean learning has stopped for myself. It is important that I continue my learning and finding new ways to make accommodations and modifications for my students using UDL. 

(http://www.universaldesign.co.za/)

    What may be a small barrier to some, may be a huge barrier for others!