Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to teaching and learning that focuses on giving all students an equal opportunity to learn. It offers various ways for how students learn in order to engage and challenge them. It also guides the teacher to different forms of student motivation. What is great for all educators is that this form of learning helps educators with goals, methods, materials, and assessments in order to reach all learners.
UDL has three major parts to its design which include Representation, Action and Expression, and Engagement.
Representation is the way of learning. This is when teachers can use multiple forms of media such as graphics and animations in order to share their lesson topic. Action and Expression pertains to the how of the learning process. This area allows the learner options for expressing what they know including models and feedback. Engagement is the why of learning. This is where students are allowed more choices and can take risks while learning from possible mistakes.
The library is a great environment to share UDL through lessons and projects. "School library multimedia production activities have facilitated opportunities for learners to be engaged and to express their knowledge in non-traditional modes," (Robinson 2017). School libraries are no longer places to just access books. Our libraries house new technology and programs where students can express their creativity and share their learning in a variety of forms.
Which guideline am I already using?
Most educators may not realize that they are already using many elements of the UDL process. Currently, I am providing options for comprehension (Guideline 3) and specifically, Checkpoint 3.1, where I am activating or supplying background knowledge. Within all of my classes, all the way to down to Pre-K, I utilize graphic organizers like KWL charts to help students make connections to the topics I am teaching in the library to what they are learning in their regular classrooms. I also use literacy to connect to Social Studies and Science topics that are taught in the classroom. This way students are seeing that the library can be an extension to their learning where they can locate resources and learn more.
Which of these guides could I add right now to my teaching practice?
Considering the population of my students, I would like to add Checkpoint 2.4 where I would promote more understanding across languages. Our bilingual population, specifically Spanish speaking, could have more vocabulary linking, translational skills, and more non-linguistic supports for the vocabulary such as pictures. By including more information across the languages, I will include more of my community and help them know the library is an inviting place.
Which of these look great, but I might need some help implement?
Where I see myself needing support would be in Guideline 5- providing options for expression and communication, specifically in Checkpoint 5.1- using multiple multimedia for communication. Locating and teaching my students how to use social media and interactive online tools is where I lack since I do not have much experience using these resources in my regular lessons. I know that in the library I have access to more of these tools, but my lack of experience hinders my students presently. I need guidance in teaching my students how to compose and showcase their learning using things like comics, storyboards, film, or music.
As I look to improve my UDL teaching skills, I found some resources that will further my lesson design to meet the needs of my diverse learners.
The first book is titled Design and Deliver by Loui Lord Nelson. In this research based book, I can dive deeper into UDL and learn how to present information to my students in the true UDL format in order to meet their needs.
Another book that will be very useful when expanding my use of UDL is Your UDL Lesson Planner by Patti Kelly Ralabate. This book will really help me take the concepts of UDL to the next level and show me in a step-by-step format how to actually implement the UDL ideologies. When educators are presented with new "curriculum" or a new form of teaching, we need visuals to help us implement in the correct manner.
A third book that I highly recommend is Universal Design for Learning in Action by Whitney Rapp. Now that I have the understanding of UDL and a few sample lesson plan ideas from the previous two books, I would like more creative ways to continue the UDL teaching process. This book is not only research based, but it will give me fun and engaging ideas to share the UDL process with my scholars.
UDL seems to be the best type of learning format for today's diverse students. Our students learn in so many different ways, need a variety of accommodations and modifications, and have access to new and changing technology every day. As educators, we need to meet them where they are so that we can show them how to be successful and functional adults in this world they are creating.
References:
Robinson, D. (2017, September/October). Universal Design for Learning and School Libraries. Knowledge Quest- Beyond the Horizon. (Volume 46, 1).
The UDL Guidelines. (2021, October 15). UDL. Retrieved April 23, 2022, from https://udlguidelines.cast.org/
I enjoyed reading your blog about Universal Design for Learning. You provided great information by stating what you are currently using and what area you needed more guidance with. I also liked how you added the resources that would help and a short summary about the resource.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is amazing! Very informative and aesthetically pleasing. :) I love the book recommendations that you left in the blog, as well as highlighting what you liked about each book.
ReplyDeleteWell organized and the information is extremely helpful and easy to read. It is going to be very helpful for any teacher because you get to the point right away and provide pictures of the books.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the information. I think you are correct about how we need to help students use a variety of communication tools. Many times we know about these, but lack the time/training to implement them.
ReplyDeleteThank your for the book recommendation! Your post on UDL was very informative!
ReplyDeleteI found a lot of UDL was just good teaching. Like you, I already do many of these as a classroom teacher. I wonder how that will change once I'm in the library. I definitely want to learn more.
ReplyDeleteYour resources are really cool. Regarding topics I feel like I need to improve upon, I like knowing the resources I could use to best benefit my growth are actually worthwhile and you have chosen some great choices.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point about having more visuals for your bilingual campus. Although my campus isn't bilingual my Pre-K students often are limited in language especially if the mostly speak spanish at home so that could definitely help with my activities with them.
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