Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to teaching that includes ALL of your students. UDL allows for an environment "to be designed to be accessible to as many people as possible" (Nelson, 2014, p. 2). For example, putting in ramps not only help people in wheelchairs, but they also help mothers with stroller, people with rolling briefcases, and people with arthritis in their knees. The goal of UDL in the classroom is to design "barrier-free, instructionally rich learning environments and lessons that provide access to ALL students" (p. 2). We as teachers know that we have so many different learners in our classrooms, so we need to be able to include all of our learners into our instruction.

UDL is different from other approaches because with a UDL lesson, every student will be included in learning. UDL is not just differentiating assignments to challenge higher students and scaffold for lower students. UDL is a framework, which considers every aspect of education, not just lesson planning (Nelson, 2014). Each piece builds upon one another, and without each piece, UDL cannot be successful. The learning environment is crucial to the success of UDL. Teachers should set up risk-taking learning environments that allow students to make their own choices, foster positive relationships between peers that allow them to scaffold off of each other, and organized environments for students to be independent in gathering the materials needed for their choices (Nelson, 2014).

UDL has three main guidelines: engagement, representation, and action and expression. Each of these guidelines focus on different parts of the brain for optimal learning to take place. Teachers should try to include multiple means of each guideline to enhance lessons and include all students in learning.

For a kindergarten classroom, it is so important to design lessons using all three components of UDL. Students are coming to a structured school environment for the first time. They do not know what their learning style is, so giving them choices to help them is key to success. An example of giving students a choice can be as simple as providing different ways to read a book. Students can buddy read, read independently, or listen to a book in the listening center. This provides students with different opportunities to learn and grow by making their own choices. Also, give different centers to complete assignments. What is fun for one student, may be boring for another student. Always try to vary to ways students can complete assignments to keep students engaged. Encourage students to try out different strategies (hands-on, music, art, etc.) to help them figure out what helps them the most. By allowing students a choice, they become better problem solvers and thinkers. The common core state standards were developed to teach students how to think critically in every subject area. Standards are important, and "it' necessary to design the curriculum with the standards in mind" (Novak, 2014, p. 63). The concept of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and music) is something that can be incorporated in UDL lessons because it gives teachers multiple ways to engage the students and represent the information. Remember that teaching is not a one size fits all! Each students has their own needs, and their needs are a teacher's priority. The image below perfectly describes why this model does not work. Embed different skills and strategies into your lesson plans, and you will meet the need of the diverse learners in your class! Students are different in many ways, and if we only teach one way, we will not get the best our of each and every one of them. Allow your students to shine bright and make UDL a main focus in your teaching.

We need to get away from this, and start seeing students for who they are, and provide them the resources necessary to succeed!

References

Nelson, L.L. (2014). Design and deliver: Planning and teaching using universal design      for         learning.Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Novak, K. (2014). UDL Now! A teacher’s Monday morning guide to implementing            common core standards and using universal design for learning. Wakefield, MA: CAST Professional Publishing.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/196610339955958974/ (picture)