Universal Design for Learning

What is UDL?

"Universal design for learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn" (About, 2019).

UDL at a glance

The basics of Universal Learning Design is that it's an inclusive process that takes into account all types of learning styles, people and their abilities, and the 3 driving forces of learning. It encompasses the WHY of learning, the WHAT of learning, and the HOW of learning.

UDL is broken into three categories: engagement, representation, and action, and expression. This allows students to interact with a project, assignment, or module in a way that suits their needs.

What I am already using:

I feel very comfortable in stating I use action and expression in my everyday lessons. I make sure I have a variety of ways students can access what they know and show when they are ready to respond whether it's to raise your hand, thinking chin, thumbs up/thumbs down, or any other predetermined signal. 

I also use multiple sources to get information across to the students. I use digital resources, physical resources, and created resources and allow them to build their own answers or projects to demonstrate that knowledge. 

Every lesson or project has an internalized goal they are trying to accomplish. I am a firm believer that outcome matters more than the means of getting there. If a student is expressive in a way another student may not be, that's fine as long as the end result shows they know and understand what the learning objective was. 

Which could I add to my teachings right now:

With COVID-19 coming into the teaching atmosphere, I have started implementing ways to beef up my engagement. As a librarian, I have been following copyright laws and publishers guidelines in all of my activities. Students now have access to specialized Google classrooms specifically for certain grade-level activities. 

I am building a way for our student community to interact with both each other and the content in a meaningful way. One example is I am reading a Bluebonnet Award book and posting challenges to each set of videos. Students can answer to challenge and respond to others. 

They are able to internalize their success by reflecting on what they've listened to and putting their new knowledge to use. 

What do I need help in implementing:

I am working on a way to better represent what I'm doing in a more publicized platform. With copyright being an issue, a lot of my work with students right now is behind the scenes. I am working on a way to change the access to what the library can offer. 

Currently, the students are listening to me read without a screen to view, which is providing challenges for students to build their knowledge base up.  Some of what I'm reading needs to be done visually but it's difficult to walk to the line of what's allowed per copyright in a distance setting. 

Students are having a hard time internalizing the new information and converting it into something meaningful for them. My hope is that I can find a way to increase engagement and change the mode of access to better reach a wider range of students.

Exploration of ULD:

My main focus going forward is on how to implement a ULD successfully. It's such a basic concept but there are many different, complex components, it's hard to make sure you've dotted all the I's and crossed all the T's. As a librarian in an elementary of 900+ students in Pre-K through 4th grade, it's hard to meet the needs of all students. Then you need to factor in all the SPED, 504, dyslexic, ELL, etc. students which all have differing needs. Then, you need to find a way that's an appropriate sharing tool.

One such tool that I use to reach all students is through my library webpage. On it, anyone can find library news, contact information, and the symbaloo of resources I have curated for the staff and students. This is an every changing link to showcase the most up-to-date information.

Sources:

About Universal Design for Learning. (2019, April 23). http://www.cast.org/our-work/about-udl.html?utm_source=udlguidelines&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=none&utm_content=homepage#.XqmthchKhPY