Universal Design for Learning

A Framework for Designing Access to Core Content Expectations for ALL Students

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MITS is an IDEA Mandated Activities Project awarded by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services

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MITS is an IDEA mandated Activities Project awarded by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services. Its purpose is to help the State Board of Education achieve its vision of Universal Education by sharing Universal Design for Learning resources and professional development opportunities with educators across the state.

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Goals for this presentation:

Understand the impact that changes in society, technology, research, educational policy and demands have on teaching and learning

Understand the framework of Universal Design for Learning and its relation to student achievement

Identify the components of a Universally Designed Lesson/Curriculum

Locate resources regarding UDL information, materials and technology

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Things are always changing…

EDUCATION

Change

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Today’s classroom:

Teachers must deliver instruction to diverse groups of students who come from a variety of cultures with varying languages, learning styles, abilities and disabilities.

These students are included in the General Education classroom.

Educational demands are on the rise– Shift from acquiring knowledge to integrating knowledge– Higher curriculum standards– All students are held to the same standards

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Accountability and Assessment

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) state assessment participation rate.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) disaggregate subgroups, 1% participation cap.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004)

– Match state benchmark and standards – Access for every student

Response to Intervention (RtI) Equity In Every Instructional Opportunity (EIEIO)

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Rapid Changes in Technology

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Think about how these phrases would have sounded 10 years ago…

I lost all of my addresses because I forgot to hotsync

Beam your answers to your neighbor I have to take my earbuds out of my Ipod You’re being arrested for piracy Brittney Spears is the most searched for

person… and she’s not even lost!

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Changes in the World Economy

We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist . . .

Using technologies that haven’t been invented . . .

In order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.

David Warlick in “The New Literacy”

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A Whole New Mind

Shift in qualities required for success

– design– story– symphony– empathy– play– meaning

Daniel Pink

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Brain research

Recent research in neuroscience confirms that…

each brain processes information differently.

The way we learn is as individual as DNA or fingerprints.

Center for Applied Special Technologies, CAST

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Where are we now?

Although substantial progress has been made to increase physical access to the classroom, cognitive access often remains a barrier

Dave Edyburn

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The Achievement Gap

Dave Edyburn

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Why?

The mismatch

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Success for at-risk learners begins

– with good curriculum,– flexible materials,– engaging assignments and– built in universal access features

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What we know about student learning:

Students need to be able to: Recognize information, ideas, and

concepts, Apply effective strategies to process the

information and Be engaged in the process.

Vygotsky

When the task is too difficult for learner

When the task is too easy for learner

ZONE OF PROXIMAL

DEVELOPMENT

Right amount of support

High engagement

Challenge is appropriate

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How we’ve been doing business…

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So how do we adjust curriculum easily and effectively given limited time?

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Definition: UDL is an educational approach to teaching, learning, and assessment, drawing on new brain research and new media technologies to respond to individual learner differences.

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UDL Definition – a closer look

UDL is an educational approach to teaching, learning, and

assessment, drawing on new brain research and new media technologies to

respond to individual learner differences.

method

research

21st century technology

ALL

students

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Support diverse recognition networksProvide students with multiple ways to take in, organize and make sense of new information

Recognition

Provide multiple examples

Highlight critical features (Big Idea)

Provide multiple media format

Support background context knowledge

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An example…

Next you will hear an audio file that briefly explains about the brain research that has taken place regarding the principals of UDL.

Those of you who are auditory learners should be comfortable with this next segment. Those who need visual cues or hands on practice might find it challenging.

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UDL and the Learning Brain

David Rose, CAST

www.cast.org

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Imagine if we had a visual display to support the audio clip:

Brain Network

Distributes processing to different parts/places

of the brain Distributes processing differently when you are a beginner at a task than when you are an expert at the task

-Recognition-Strategic-Affective

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What if we passed around a model of a brain…

Strategic

Affective networks – located at core of brain

Recognition

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Learner Adjustable Scaffolds

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TTYN (Talk To Your Neighbor)

Think about your own learning preferences. What supports would want to be sure were in place for you?

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Support diverse strategic networks Provide students with multiple approaches, knowledge and strategies for learning.

Strategic Provide flexible models of

skilled performance. (conspicuous strategies)

Provide opportunities to practice with scaffolds. (supported practice)

Provide on-going relevant feedback.

Offer flexible opportunities to demonstrate skill.

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Support diverse affective networks Provide students with engaging activities that include multiple levels of challenge, variety of content and support.

Affective networks – located at core of brain

Offer choices of content and tools.

Offer adjustable levels of challenge.

Offer choice of rewards Offer choice of learning

context.

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Multiple means of

representation

Content

Multiple means of

expression

Product

Multiple means of

engagement

Process

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How we’ve been doing business…A UDL Curriculum…

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Universal Design for Learning A Lesson Plan: To Kill a Mockingbird

Video streaming Digital Photos Electronic text Talking Books Visual Map Spark Notes– text and

audio Low Tech Tools Vocabulary Support

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Universal Design for Learning: 8th Grade History

Studying for the End of the Unit Exam

Mr. Langhorst’s Virtual Classroom

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Studycast and Graphic Organizer– 8th grade American HistoryConstitutional Powers

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Universal Design for Learning Materials in the classroom

Video streaming (www.unitedstreaming.com) Electronic text books (www.accessiblebookcollection.org) Digital photos (www.pics4learning.com) Talking Books (MP3, Start-to-Finish, Thinking Reader) Concept maps NASA Explores (http://www.nasaexplores.com/) Blogging (www.visitmyclass.com) Clay animation (www.tech4learning.com/claykit) Pod Casting (http://epnweb.org) Digital Storytelling

(http://www.scott.k12.ky.us/technology/digitalstorytelling/ds.html) Project Based Learning (Regions) ASK

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Resources

Resources mentioned in this presentation:

http://www.protopage.com/hardins

http://www.protopage.com/gunderwood

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TTYN

How has the advent of new technologies effected instructional design?

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Case Study:

Mrs. Jones’ Fourth Grade Classroom

From: A Practical Reader in Universal Design for Learning

Center for Applied Special Technologies, CAST

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State StandardsInstructional Goals

Traditional Approach1. Student groups create a

map containing political, topographical, and natural resources in the selected state of study

2. Students will orally present and describe the state and map results to the class

UDL Approach1. Students map the political,

topographical, and natural resources of a selected state

2. Students present results to demonstrate understandings of the state and its resources

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State Standards:Instructional Objectives

Traditional Approach1. Read the social studies text

and (a minimum of) two additional resources to gather information about state resources, geography, and political structures

2. Write a compare-and-contrast table of state resources

3. Make a representative map using available materials

4. Present information to the class

5. Raise hands to answer teacher and presenter questions on the presentation

UDL Approach1. The students will (a) collect

information, (b) make comparisons, and (c) create maps to represent state resources, topography, and political information

2. Present information to the class. Analyze information and respond to questions.

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CurriculumMethods-Introduce Lesson

Traditional Approach1. Teacher provides a brief lecture

on the home state. She reminds students of previous studies of land and resources, and the impact of natural resources on population growth, political, and land-use issues.

2. Teacher divides the students into working groups to complete their research, map-making, note-taking, and presentation

UDL Approach1. Avoid limiting presentation style.

May be students who do not respond, comprehend, or attend well to a lecture style. Consider using media in the presentation (e.g. concept map/graphics, video, audio summary) to enhance and illustrate concepts and topics introduced and reviewed

2. Consider frequent questions and statements of clarification; solicit student participation

3. Consider assigning students to working groups by mixed abilities to make use of complementary skills

4. Provide demonstrations of performance expectations

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Traditional Approach1. Students read the textbook

chapter on the selected home state to find out about the state resources, boundaries, topography, and population center. Students are required to use at least one outside resource.

2. Student groups must also take written notes to support their research work

UDL Approach1. Provide multiple means to access

resource materials (audio, digital, with graphics, video

2. Scaffold reading with supports for decoding and vocabulary (talking dictionary)

3. Support reading strategies with cooperative working groups (e.g. paired reading, discussion sessions)

4. Consider alternative means for note-taking (e.g. audio-recorded summary, electronic note-taking, scanning, Google Notebook)

5. Scaffold note-taking by allowing students to use a graphic organizer with information prompts built in (e.g., name of state, land mass, geographic location)

CurriculumMethods- Guide the Lesson

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Traditional Approach1. Using the map, groups give

oral presentations, including resource information, to the class

2. Each student takes notes during the presentations

3. Students draw and write a compare/contrast chart of the physical, political, and geographical characteristics of the states presented by all groups

UDL Approach1. Provide students with options for

presenting information (e.g., presentation may be written, oral (podcast), video, or visual)

2. Provide audience with scaffolds and alternative means of collecting information as students make presentations (e.g. recordings, notes, response questions)

3. Consider alternatives for writing a compare/contrast chart (e.g. oral, pictorial, digital, using digital Venn diagram (Inspiration) )

CurriculumMethods- Close the Lesson

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Traditional Approach1. Social Studies

textbook2. Encyclopedia3. Map materials4. Tag board5. Colored pencils6. Rulers7. Glue8. Clay9. Trays10. CD software on U.S.

geography

UDL Approach1. Printed text may constitute a barrier for

students with physical or reading disabilities. If texts are digitally available, teachers and students have options for text-to-speech, large print, on-line vocabulary help and a variety of display formats.

2. Provide various means and materials that students can use to create a map. Examples include: a) draw a map; b) create a map with clay; c) create a map electronically with computer tools; d) have students verbalize for others the details of what to place on a map and where.

CurriculumMedia and Materials

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CurriculumMedia and Materials

UDL Approach, cont.

3. Some learners may have organizational deficits, making it challenging for them to understand and make use of library structure and thus the library resource. Provide scaffolds and instruction to find materials in multiple formats – text, digital, audio, etc.

Select possible materials for students to review Direct students to area of media center w/appropriate resource

materials Consider textbook barriers noted in “materials/classroom”

4. Some learners may have difficulty using computers with a CD, hindering access to the resource material

Provide supports and instruction to use of CD resources; Evaluate access issues for vision, decoding, etc., for the various

students in the class

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How are curriculum creators responding?

Pearson– audio study guides

Holt and Reinhart Elements of Literature Houghton Mifflin Social Studies

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A UDL Curriculum

Is designed, developed and flexible from the start.

Has built in supports. Is designed to maximize

options for students and teachers

Meets the needs of all learners.

Is under the auspices of general education.

Center for Applied Special Technologies, CAST

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UDL Paradigm Shift: how UDL changes the way we think about students and education

Old Assumptions Students who learn

differently constitute a separate category.

New Assumptions Students who learn differently

fall along a continuum of learner differences.

Instructional adjustments need to be made for at risk students.

• Learning is centered on a single text book.

• The problem is with the student – remediate, remediate, remediate..

• Instructional adjustments need to be made for all learners.

• Learning materials are

varied, digital.• The solution is within the

curriculum. A flexible curriculum adapts to the

needs of all students.

Center for Applied Special Technologies, CAST

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David Rose says….

“UDL is really a merging of general education and special education, a sharing of responsibility, resources, and ownership. It gets away from the “their kids-our kids” divide between general ed. and special ed.”

-A Practical Reader in Universal Design for Learning

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Why is UDL important to me?

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Why is UDL important to my students?

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Helps Students:

Participate in GLCE activities.

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Helps Students:

make progress toward GLCE mastery and IEP goals.

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Helps Students:

Work independently.

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Helps Students:

Feel like successful learners.

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Helps Students:

Succeed on state assessments.

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Consider UDL TTYN

Think of a lesson How could you add

– Multiple, flexible means of representation – Multiple, flexible means of expression – Multiple, flexible options for engagement

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How can we prepare?

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Thank you.