Universal Design for Learning

How are these stairs a metaphor for teaching and learning?

#UDLNow

Welcome to UDL Now!

Our goal at District 123 is to ensure all students' learning needs are addressed from the outset. UDL when applied with intent is foundational to the creation of inclusive learning environments that support everyone.

Over the next few weeks we will work and learn together to determine what we know about UDL, ways we are already applying UDL to our practice and explore more systemic ways we can intentionally embed UDL into our assessements, goals, methods and materials.

Before you begin:

Watch the video above
Read the Syllabus
Sign in to the Google+ Community
Introduce yourself in the G+ community, say hello to others

This series is divided into four online workshop modules. Each module will take approximately one hour to experience. The activities will take additional time to complete.

Before diving in:

Share what you know about UDL
Think about your assumptions and beliefs
Take the quiz

I look forward to working with you over the next few week.

Universally Yours,

Kendra Grant

Goal: Creating an Inclusive Classroom with Universal Design for Learning

Focus: UDL's Assumptions and Beliefs about Learners and Learning

Take the Quiz

Explore Your Assumptions and Beliefs

Complete tasks and share/discuss in the Google+ Community

Video Transcripts

Assumptions & Beliefs

We come to teaching with assumptions and beliefs. Some of our assumptions and beliefs may be accurate, other may need updating. Take a moment to consider your assumptions and beliefs about learners and learning. The questions below will help you think about them within a UDL context.

What is a disability? What causes disability? When or where are you "disabled".
What role does technology play in the classroom? Who should have access to text-to-speech or word prediction technology. Is it better to complete tasks without technology. Does technology make it too easy for students? Is it a crutch?
What is your role as a teacher? What is the role of a student? What is the goal of learning?

Record your thoughts to use for reflection later in the course. You can do this in any medium. A Notetaking Google Doc is available for you to copy and use for your notes.

Explore the resources based on your learning needs

Now that you're in the G+ community, recorded your assumptions and beliefs and taken the quiz, you're ready to move on.

In this next section you'll learn more about UDL's Assumptions and Beliefs. Before you explore take a moment to reflect on your own assumptions and beliefs and consider which ones you think might be challenged?

To help you navigate the wide variety of resources available, look for the "diver" icons. These icons will guide your learning based on your current knowledge and use of UDL.

Green Diver (quiz score 1-5) - New to UDL

Orange Diver (quiz score 6-10) - Some knowledge of UDL

Blue Diver (quiz score 11-15) - Experienced with UDL

These icons are suggestions only. Feel free to explore any resources that resonate with you.