Universal Design for Learning. Because EACH Learner is Unique

Universal Design           for Learning

Because EACH Learner is Unique

UDL provides a blueprint for creating flexible goals, methods, materials, and assessments that accommodate learner differences.  "Universal" does not imply a single optimal solution for everyone. Instead, it is meant to underscore the need for multiple approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners. (CAST)

 A Rabbit on the Swim Team

 Once upon a time, the animals decided they must do something heroic to meet the problems of the new world, so they organised a school. They adopted an activity curriculum consisting of running, climbing, swimming, and flying, and to make it easier to administer, all animals took all the subjects.

The duck was excellent in swimming: in fact, better than his instructor.  But he made only passing grades in flying, and was very poor in running.  Since he was slow in running, he had to drop swimming and stay after school to practice running.  This caused his web feet to be badly worn, so that he was only average in swimming.  But average was quite acceptable, so nobody worried about that--except the duck.

The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of so much make-up work in swimming.

The squirrel was excellent in climbing, but he encountered constant frustration in flying class because his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of from the treetop down.  He developed "charlie horses" from overexertion, and so only got a C in climbing and a D in running.

The eagle was a problem child and was severely disciplined for being a non-conformist.  In climbing classes he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but insisted on using his own way to get there . . .

Every learner is uniquely gifted!

Every learner has unique special needs! 

EACH LEARNER IS UNIQUE  

 When it comes to learning,

...one size CANNOT fit all!

Fairness does not mean that everyone gets the same thing.It means that everyone gets what he or she needs.  

--Rick Lavoie

I almost flunked first grade and also the second, third, forth, and fifth; but my younger brother was in the grade behind me, and he was a brain and nobody wanted to have me be in the same grade as him, so they kept passing me. I never learned how to spell, graduated from eighth grade counting on my fingers to do simple addition, and in general was not a resounding academic success.                          Robert Munsch

'Learning Disabilities'Or   Learning Differently

"I, myself, was always recognized...as the "slow one" in the family. It was quite true, and I knew it and accepted it. Writing and spelling were always terribly difficult for me."

--Agatha Christie

He told me that his teachers reported that ...he was mentally slow, unsociable, and adrift forever in his foolish dreams.

--son of Albert Einstein

dyslexia"...a disorder manifested by difficulty in learning to read despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence and sociocultural opportunity." 

--World Federation of Neurology

dyscalculia

"...a specific learning disability or difficulty involving innate difficulty in learning or comprehending mathematics. It is akin to dyslexia and can include confusion about math symbols."

--Wikipedia

Gardner's Theory of Multiple IntelligencesA Really, Really Really Quick Lesson

A Learning Style is NOT a Learning Disability

 But it can be a disadvantage!

"Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for designing curricula that enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning. UDL provides rich supports for learning and reduces barriers to the curriculum while maintaining high achievement standards for all." (CAST) 

 UDL is supported by 

Current Brain Research 

Recognition Networks  

The "what" of Learning  

 Where the brain...    ...gathers facts       ...categorizes what we see, hear, and read           ...identifies letters, words, or an author's style

 Present information and content in different ways

because learners need... 

Multiple Means of Representation

Strategic Networks  

The "how" of Learning  

 Where the brain...    ...plans and performs tasks       ...organizes and expresses ideas           ...writes an essay or solves a math problem

 Differentiate the ways that learners can express what they know.

 Multiple Means of Action and

Expression

Affective Networks  

The "why" of Learning  

 Where the brain...        ...gets engaged            ...stays motivated               ...is challenged, excited, interested

 Stimulate interest and motivation for learning. 

Multiple Means of Engagement

UDL Guidelines   Principle 1       Provide Multiple Means of Representation

 Principle 2    Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression

 Principle 3    Provide Multiple Means of Engagement

UDL 

    is impossible without

 UNIVERSAL ACCESS

 UDL is NOT technology!

Access is NOT just technolgy!

BUT

Digital technology changes everything!

Digital Technology FacilitatesMultiple Options For

•Representation •Action and Expression 

•Engagement     

Digital Technology FacilitatesMultiple Options For

Access 

•to Learning•to Living 

 It's not just about school!

Toolbelt Theory

 Each individual needs to assemble 

a unique set of effective learning tools 

(See Ira Socol)

 Task - Environment - Skills - Tools "When students begin a task, they need to consider what the task really is--the essential purpose.  They need to know where, when, for whom that task must be completed. They must understand their own skill set and capability position (which might vary even throughout the day as they tire). And they must know the range of tools available to them -- and how to use those tools."

(See Ira Socol)

 A truly engaged learner

owns the learning.      

Learning tools belong to the learner! 

(See Ira Socol)

Choice of Tools  

Means 

 Multiple Options

Some Ubiquitous (free) Tools

Available to ALL Learners

•Text to Speech•Digital Voice Recording•Screen Magnification•Math Access •More

CLiCk,Speak for text to speech

Readability or TidyRead to declutter pages Answers.com for definitions Evernote for organizing and note taking

Special MS Word Tools•Word Talk

o text-to-speecho talking spell checkero text to audio (mp3 or wav) 

 •  Voice Comments

o add voice recording to document

More Special MS Word Tools•Auto Summarize

o create instant document summaryo automatically highlight main points

 •  Equation Editor

o use word processor to do math

with

Text-to-speech add-on for PowerPoint

If a picture is worth a thousand words...

a video may be worth millions!

Creating Multimedia Online

Combine  oimagesovideo otextomusic

Easily!

Embed Anywhere

Combine  oimagesovideo otextoaudio

Easily!

Embed Anywhere

Combine  oimagesotextomusic

Create QuizesEasily!

Embed Anywhere

• Select scenes• Choose characters• Animate• Enter dialogue (text)  

 CREATE MOVIE

Easily!

Embed Anywhere

xtranormal

Mind Mapping

For Visual Thinking

MindmappingOnline and

Offline

Especially            Engaging                        Options

iStuff

offers multiple options!

learning apps for...

iPod Touch 

iPad 

iPhone

Creditsearth - http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/4427417620/in/set-72157623639063326/

mosaic - http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilcrabbygal/205037362/ Rabbit on the Swim Team - Charles R. Swindoll: Growing Strong in the Seasons of Lifeduck - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12187843@N07/3336548665/ squirrel - http://www.flickr.com/photos/39939143@N07/3689214333/ rabbit - http://www.flickr.com/photos/71038389@N00/2208759643/eagle - http://www.flickr.com/photos/23084352@N00/481524184/flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/40715318@N00/536090614/wetube - http://www.flickr.com/photos/30014828@N02/4458866178/iPad - http://www.flickr.com/photos/korosirego/4334862666/Child using laptop - http://www.flickr.com/photos/45688888@N08/4191381737/ Rosie the Blogger: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9106303@N05/2493066577/