Welcome to our professional development module for UDL or Universal Design for Learning. How much do you know about UDL? Can you define UDL and its principles? Explain the rationale for using UDL in instruction? Apply UDL principles to own instruction? We are going to cover all that!!
To see where you are with UDL, before we begin, if you have not already done so, please download the Module Workbook from one of the links provided below. Your Module Workbook contains all of the pre-assessments, exercises, scenarios and post-assessments for the entire module which incudes the MTSS chapter, this chapter and the DI chapter. In your Module Workbook under the UDL chapter, please complete the pre-assessment measure. Then proceed to the Introduction on this site. If you are not able to download the Module Workbook, all of the information from the Workbook is found in the site, however we suggest you begin your own Workbook to follow along with the exercises and assignments. With this said, please take note of your answers to the pre-assesment questions so that you will be able to compare them to your answers on the post-assessment at the end of this chapter.
In your Module Workbook under the UDL chapter, please complete the pre-assessment measure. If you are not able to download the Module Workbook, please take note of your answers to the pre-assesment questions so that you will be able to compare them to your answers on the post-assessment at the end of this chapter. The Answer Key is provided at the end of the UDL post-assessment.
UDL is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn.
“UDL provides a blueprint for creating instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone--not a single, one-size-fits-all solution; but rather flexible approaches that can be customized and adjusted for individual needs.” –National Center on Universal Design for Learning
What, How and Why
"The term UDL means a scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice that: Provides flexibility in the ways students are engaged (engagement), information is presented (recognition), and in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills (action and expression), and..."
From: -UDL: Theory and Practice, 2014
- Roots from architectural world
- Intended to design and provide equal access to facilities for those with disabilities
- Concept transferred to education
Because individuals bring a huge variety of skills, needs, and interests to learning, UDL seeks to provide universal access to all individuals.
The following guidelines provide further details on UDL implementation and valuable curriculum checkpoints. Use these guidelines, provided by UDLCenter.org to evaluate your own instructional practices and curriculum.
Read an Article on UDL: Technology and Learning: Meeting Students’ Needs by Rose and Gravel (2010) PDF found HERE.
Download and cut-out the UDL wheel as a quick reference for implementing UDL.
Select one of the sample UDL lessons below. Click on the link and read the lesson plan.
HINT: There are "UDL Connections" buttons throughout these Model lessons (next to Goals, Methods and more) that reveal UDL Features and Reflections!
Grade Pre-K to 2 Life Cycle of Butterflies
Component of Lesson | UDL Feature |
---|---|
Example: Students will have multiple opportunities to respond to questions embedded in the text in this lesson, including multiple choice assessments with instructional feedback and strategy tips, maze assessments with immediate feedback and strategy tips, and open-ended responses with multiple response options. | Example: This is an example of the UDL principle of Multiple Means of Action and Expression. Giving several options in assessment allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of the topic in flexible ways. |
Sign up for a free CAST account and explore UDL Lesson Plans and UDL Case Studies at the CAST Curriculum Self-Check Website: SELFCHECK HERE
Scroll through the CAST site and select the specific Model UDL lesson plans relevant to your area and explore the content. As you view the lesson reflect upon the following:
- What principles of UDL can you find in the lesson(s)?
- How does this lesson provide more access to students with disabilities and English learners?
Follow this Link to browse and build lessons on CAST UDL Exchange
Link to UDL Self-Assessment Tool PDF
Administrators can assign this module to school personnel for professional development or have a school committee do a presentation of the UDL chapter at a staff development workshop
You are almost to the end of this chapter. In your workbook, please complete the post-assessment measure in the UDL chapter and compare the results to your pre-assessment measure. If you were not able to download the Module Workbook, then you will be checking against your notes for the pr-assessment you took earlier in this chapter.