Universal Learning Design for Early Childhood Center

By Joslyn Jenkins

What is the Universal Design for Learning?

According to Wikipedia it is an educational framework based on research in the learning sciences, including cognitive neuroscience, that guides the development of flexible learning environments that can accommodate individual learning differences.

SAY WHAT???– This means that it is a new way

to think about teaching. Instead of focusing on the barriers that the child may have, we focus on the barriers that the curriculum may have for the child.

– It is a multifaceted approach to teaching a lesson based on the needs of the student.

In creating an Early Childhood Center incorporating the principles of UDL, this will be addressed

StructureClassesPersonnelInstruction

General Curriculum

TechnologyAssessment

Structure– The structure of the

school will be so to facilitate those of varying needs including those with handicapping conditions as well as visual impairments

-Wide spacing in hallways and doors as well a ramps for easy accessibility for wheelchairs- Soft colors with clean walls as for

learners who are easily visually distracted

- Braille and large prints available throughout the building to help learners identify the areas they are in

- Elevators and lifts will be available- Playground facility that addresses the

physical needs of learners with varying disabilities

Classes

Classes

– Class sizes would be 15 or less children.

– Seating would be in multiple levels (balance balls, chairs, bean bags) and based on the child’s physical needs to help facilitate learning

– Classrooms would be spacious with age appropriate materials

– Flow of the classroom would facilitate social engagement

– Independent work stations would be set in in multiple manners (hands on, technological ect.)

– Learners would be grouped based on their learning needs

– Teacher materials are continuously rotated and updated to keep within the principles of UDL to address the individual learner needs

Personnel

– Students would range from ages 3-5 years old

– All personnel from Administration to Teaching Assistants will have UDL implementation training

– Hallway Leads will be Master teachers

– 1 Teacher with 1 Teaching Assistant for each classroom

– 2:4 Ratio for SpEd Classroom with frequent inclusion for General Education Classroom Opportunities

– Gen Ed Classroom housing students under SpEd or 504 would receive 1 extra TA for every 3 students

Personnel

– Principal

– Assistant Principal

– Counselor

– 504 Specialist

– Special Education Teachers

– General Education Teachers

– Teaching Assistants

– Grant Writer/UDL Specialist

– Nurse and Nurse’s Aid

– Physical and Adaptive PE Teacher

– Librarian

– Technology Lab Facilitator

– Discovery/Sensory Lab Facilitator

– Technology Specialist

Instruction

– Instruction will be provided based on the individual learning styles of the students

– It will be based on the UDL Principles

Instruction- Representation

REPRESENTATION

– Content presented in multiple ways through the use of a variety of material

– Use of a multisensory teaching approach (visual, auditory and kinesthetic)

– Cooperative Learning

– Fieldtrips

– Music

– Electronic Educational Software

– Media and Technology

Instruction- Action & Expression

– Allow students to demonstrate what they have learned

– Verbal expression

– Written expression

– Creating with use of manipulatives

– (Show understanding of 1-1 Correspondence by passing out snack materials)

– Continuous Feedback given

– Games

– Hands on Projects

– Have Flexible Assessments

– Depending on the learning style of the child the assessment will reflect the learning technique

– Verbal

– Written (drawing ect.)

– Writing a letter when called instead of naming it

– Creation with use of manipulatives

– Show understanding of social standards by bathing and dressing baby doll

– Reenactment

Instruction - Engagement

– Activities centered around interest of the child

– Opportunities for student choices of activities

– Scaffolded activities

– Include Media and Technology

– Provided support where needed

– Individual skills will be focused on for success of the skill without interference from deficit areas

Curriculum

– Collaboration is vital among team members

– focus will be on developing a flexible curriculum supporting all learners so that they achieve set goals

– Curriculum would be based on the Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines but will be introduced and taught in multiple ways that will encourage engagement and include feedback and goal centered assessments

Curriculum

– Determine the barriers to create successful learning environments for all students

– Use of different tools during instruction

– Learner centered activities

– Research based strategies which incorporate UDL principles

Technology

– Not limited to learners with special needs

– IPads/Chrome Books

– Touch screens

– Text-to-Voice devices

– Headphones

– Slant boards

– Various types of Assistive Technology

– Technology is included in planning carefully

– Its used to address the learning needs for clear goals that have been set, not to take the place of curriculum

– Can range from high technology to low technology depending on the need of the learner to create success in the classroom

Assessments

– Assessments are based on the learning style

– Assessments are for gathering information to test knowledge on a specific goal

– Are done in various ways

– Oral

– Written

– Drawing

– Dramatic

Assessments

Resources

– http://www.udlcenter.org/

– http://www.cast.org/

– Rose, DH., & Meyer, A. (2002) Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age. Universal Design for Learning. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Alexandria Virginia.

– Images courtesy of Google