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Universal Design for Learning and Approaches Reflection paper
Universal Design for Learning and Approaches Reflection paper
Essay about universal design
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I will never view the clothing label, “one size fits all” in the same light again. While that may seem optimal for several people, the sizing of those articles will exclude a range of persons, possibly those individuals who have larger frames and those who have smaller frames. So, the more accurate wording is probably “one size fits most.” To use the word “all” serves as a generalization, which is a universal statement that is not necessarily true, because it indicates that a group of people or things equally satisfy the condition.
That’s the message behind this week’s reading, The Concept of Universal Design. According to the National Center on Universal Design for Learning, UDL is “a set of principles for curriculum development that give
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If anything, it made me feel inadequate for not having the skill to assist her like the other children. I was able to shift the burden of responsibility from the student to myself. If every educator could step back and assess children who don’t fit the “norm”, we should ask, “Does that child not perform because he/she is unable to do so? Or does that child not perform because I’m guilty for not learning how to help that child perform?” In the instance of the Art class, if cutting is a measurable goal, I can’t fault the child for not succeeding, if I never learn how to help that child meet the objective. I know this is a minor example, but it’s a case of how children are often set up to fail when teachers do not mold their curriculums to reflect each child’s …show more content…
For instance, the case study with my Literacy Foundations student allowed me to share that he is truly a kinesthetic learner. Due to his lack of auditory processing, it’s unfair to structure his instructional learning around audio alone, without allowing him the opportunity to learn through multimodal literacies, or according to his “wired” intelligence – bodily/kinesthetic intelligence. That’s when his learning can become memorable, engaging, and empowering, while the content, process, and product of differentiated instruction models the importance of UDL in his
As Pollock states, “Equity efforts treat all young people as equally and infinitely valuable” (202). This book has made me realize that first and foremost: We must get to know each of our students on a personal level. Every student has been shaped by their own personal life experiences. We must take this into consideration for all situations. In life, I have learned that there is a reason why people act the way that they do. When people seem to have a “chip on their shoulder”, they have usually faced many hardships in life. “The goal of all such questions is deeper learning about real, respected lives: to encourage educators to learn more about (and build on) young people’s experiences in various communities, to consider their own such experiences, to avoid any premature assumptions about a young person’s “cultural practices,” and to consider their own reactions to young people as extremely consequential.” (3995) was also another excerpt from the book that was extremely powerful for me. Everyone wants to be heard and understood. I feel that I owe it to each of my students to know their stories and help them navigate through the hard times. On the other hand, even though a student seems like he/she has it all together, I shouldn’t just assume that they do. I must be sure that these students are receiving the attention and tools needed to succeed,
Everyone has a unique characteristic, our fingerprints. Those fingerprints are as unique as each snowflake, each one unique in design. Just as our fingerprints are unique, so is the way in which each of us learns. This is why the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is so important. The Universal Design for Learning is a framework developed to assist educators in recognizing these differences and teaches how to be flexible in their delivery, methods, and engagement of their students. UDL is a research-based set of principles and guidelines, developed by the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), to provide a framework for educators to reduce the barriers within curriculum for diverse learners. “UDL has its roots in Universal Design, a term coined by Ronald L. Mace (North Carolina State University) in 1972, as a way to describe the concept of designing all products and the built environment to be aesthetic and usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or status in life.” (CAST, 2011)
With ongoing assessments in place, you can begin differentiating three aspects of your curriculum: content, process, and product (Laureate, 2011). Choosing how to deliver the content of any lesson that is tailor for language learners is hard work. I have to make sure that I use tools and strategies that tap into all the language domains and build vocabulary. For this lesson, I will use pictures, diagrams, and videos to convey the content. Using visuals will help support vocabulary. These delivery methods will help my auditory and visual learners. Along with my visuals, I will use gestures and movement to practice vocabulary. Engaging student in kinesthetic activities will help them retain vocabulary and boost comprehension. Teachers can appropriately differentiate the actual content (versus ways in which student...
The human mind seeks for a pattern to help the memory process what they just learned. Learning is recognition of skills and strategies as well as knowledge acquired by experience. Learning in different ways is one approach of universal design such as options for reading, for example, large print, text-to-speech and audio books. The curriculum can be available to the class in multiple forms to accommodate all learning styles of the students. Tina Greene, a kindergarten teacher at Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp said, “We do not see a deficit in a student. We see a deficit in a curriculum or in a learning
Another strategy I used was UDL by providing multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement. I planned my lesson to have different actives to meet the different needs of my students, but since this was my first lesson the activities helped me determined how my students learned as individuals. The next time I plan a lesson using ULD I am going to make sure my methods of comprehension are presented in different ways to allow my students to grasp the information, that my means of expression allow my students themselves in a way that they feel most confortable doing, and my means of engagement motivate my students to learn. I did not use a few of the strategies because I had not learned about the strategies and did not know what my students could handle, but next Practicum I plan on using choice boards and cubing. Planning for the next Practicum I will use the anecdotal notes I took during the two weeks of Practicum 1 to create lessons and activities that are differentiated and benefit every
Knowles, M., Holton, E., & Swanson, R. (2011). The adult learner. (7th ed.). Burlington, MA: Taylor and Francis.
The arts can have an exponential effect on a child's growth and development in school and society. It teaches confidence building, collaboration, and dedication. Influences children to develop problem solving skills, non-verbal communication, and perseverance that most adults today may not even know. It allows them to be creative and explore the worlds and even themselves as growing human beings. The arts can open them up to new experiences and possibilities that before were otherwise unseen, and can even help them excel in multiple subjects such as math and reading. For some children it is considerably hard to learn or focus in class using the traditional method of teaching. Beth Olshansky, author of “The Power of Pictures: Creating Pathways
Design can be both the outcome and instigator of social change. Despite Designer George Nelson’s accuracy in claiming that ‘design is a response to social change’, he neglects to mention that it can also trigger it. In contemporary society, all aspects of our environments have been designed for a particular purpose in order to cater to certain social needs or changes. It can be theorized that there is an endless cycle between the influence of social change on design, as well as the influence of design on social change. This is evident through analysis of designs, the social change that influenced them and the social change that resulted from them. This theory can be evidenced through the analysis of skyscrapers and prisons as well as the design of the wheel and smartphones, their social influences such as the Industrial Revolution and the Modernist Movement, and their impacts.
As educators, it is important to address individual differences in students’ recognition, strategic, or affective networks, thus providing the best possible support by individualizing pathways to learning through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). A study on alternative education for children suggests oversimplifying learner differences by categorizing students into two groups, regular and special, fails to accurately represent the full diversity of learners in the classroom. ( Meo, 2010, p. 21) Therefore, UDL is a framework for designing curriculum which provides all students equal opportunities to learn, with no discrimination to individual needs. In order for students to have equal opportunity in their learning and achievement, curriculum development must follow a set of principles, which are: representation, action and expression, and engagement. (CAST, 2013, para.1) Together these principles share one goal in providing students with a wider variety of options in their learning. As Educators, whether it’s “addressing individual differences in our students' recognition, strategic, or affective networks, we can provide the best support by individualizing pathways to learning” (Meyer & Rose, 2002, n.p). This report will pay attention to the three principle’s of UDL, by understanding strategies of theories and applying this knowledge to the classroom and diverse student learners through Differentiated Instruction (DI).
After reviewing the National Center for Universal Design for Learning I became really intrigued at what opportunities are out there for all types of students and learners. The Universal Design for learning is an educational framework that provides different opportunities for information to be presented, it helps students to respond and engage with their knowledge in multiple different ways. It also reduces barriers in instruction and provides accommodations, support, and challenges for all Students including high achievement, to students with disabilities, or limited English. The overall purpose of the Universal Design for learning is to help students understand and master the concepts of learning and develop strategies and skills to become
The importance of having a curriculum that accommodates diverse learners, it allows the child to learn at their own level or ability. A child with emotional and intellectual challenges may not have the verbal or comprehension skills or the ability to control their body as their peers. With this in mind, classes with diverse learners can excel with an adjusted curriculum. An activity for example, using large Legos to teach the entire class their colors or numbers can help the intellectual challenge by asking to build a building by using on certain colors or amounts. By doing this activity the students can have fun and learn at the same time with using very little words. Also in a group activity the emoti...
“The universal design for learning involves the conscious and deliberate planning of lessons and outcomes that allow all students access to and participation in the same curricula.” (Ashman & Elkins, 2008, p. 248) When curricula, instruction and assessment are designed using UDL students are offered various approaches of; presentation, expression, and engagement (who, what and why of learning). Using the UDL teachers must allow students to present information and content in different ways, differentiate the ways that students can express what they know, and stimulate interest, engagement and motivation for learning. (Ashman & Elkins, 2...
Defining Design One of Victor Papaneck's books concentrates on the element of Design. In this book he gives his opinion, definitions and some. facts based on design. Below I have taken and supported some of Papaneck's views (given in the chapter 'what is design?'). In this supporting essay, I have tried to back up Papaneck's views with opinions from other people.
I always loved participating in art classes and was excited that I could do so in high school. Through freshman year, I diligently practiced my art skills whether it be through doodling in my notebook or creating drawings for my friends. At Hillwood High School, students chose what academy they wanted to join for sophomore through senior year. As a sophomore, I really wanted to be in the art academy, because I firmly believed that I wanted a career in art. Fortunately, I had art as a companion because sophomore year was difficult for me. I often felt alone or on the outside of social circles. Through art, such as painting and illustration, I was able to persevere. I often carried a sketchbook with me, and would be seen drawing in it. My peers and teachers began to notice my art skills and would often compliment me on something I was currently drawing. Sometimes, they would ask to see my sketchbook and I would let them flip through the illustrated pages. My teacher said I should be in AP Art and I politely turned the offer several times because I honestly felt overwhelmed by the idea of a college-level art class. Ironically, junior year I joined AP
Students should experience a sense of ownership when they are able to seek and choose challenging learning experiences (Tomlinson, 2001). In order to provide students with choice at their level of readiness differentiation must occur in the classroom. Author and expert in practical differentiation strategies, Tomlinson (2001), defines a differentiated classroom as one where, “the teacher proactively plans and carries out varied approaches to content, process, and product in anticipation and response to student differences in readiness, interest, and learning needs” (p.7). When students work independently or with a partner on a task specific to their level of readiness the teacher is differentiating process. The goal of the teacher is to challenge students beyond their “comfort zone.” When the student is in the zone of proximal development the student is able to learn from a competent teacher, peer, or when the teacher provides