In my exploration and use of the eLearning Planning Framework and my discussions with educators, I find that I am mentioning Universal design for learning a lot ... and what UDL would actually look like in a classroom. - What does the learning environment look like?
- What is the teacher doing?
- What are the students learning?
- How are they be learning?
- What tools are they using to facilitate learning?
- How is the best design for learning planned and discussed?
- What choices do the students have?
Change, (learning, adopting and practising something new), takes planning, effort, thought, reflection and modification. All of these take work and can be painful! The diagram 'Managing Complex Change' is still, (it's been around a while), a powerful illustration and worth sharing and discussing with our school leaders.
UDL has been a learning focus for our PLD in the Blended eLearning Team during 2013. So I've made it a mission to learn more about it and to include aspects of it in my staff meeting presentations. I'm learning as I go - I'm certainly not an expert yet! "In education, UDL is the design of “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” (CAST).UDL fits into all the dimensions of the eLearning Planning Framework (leadership and strategic direction, teaching and learning, professional learning, technologies and infrastructure, beypond the classroom).The DO-IT Center at the University of Washington has developed a checklist for incorporating Universal Design into instructional practices, including multiple items under each of these main categories:- Class Climate: Adopt practices that reflect high values with respect to both diversity and inclusiveness.
- Interaction: Encourage regular and effective interactions between students and the instructor and ensure that communication methods are accessible to all participants.
- Physical Environments: Ensure that facilities, activities, materials, and equipment are physically accessible to and usable by all students, and that all potential student characteristics are addressed in safety considerations.
- Delivery Methods: Use multiple, accessible instructional methods that are accessible to all learners.
- Information Resources and Technology: Ensure that course materials, notes, and other information resources are engaging, flexible, and accessible for all students.
- Feedback: Provide specific feedback on a regular basis.
- Assessment: Regularly assess student progress using multiple accessible methods and tools, and adjust instruction accordingly.
- Accommodation: Plan for accommodations for students whose needs are not met by the instructional design.
Below is a presentation I've created to get teachers to focus on learning and to think about their learning environments.
