Universal Design for Learning

1. Universal Design for Learning Presented by Katherine Benefield & Sissy Markum Opening In-service August 2008

2. Each Student, with or without a disability is unique. The average map of an urban classroom shows diversity for several considerations. Adjustments for learning occur for all students. If you improve education for students on the margins, you improve education for all students.—Grace Meo, CAST Center.

3. What is Universal Design? Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for designing curricula that enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning. UDL provides rich supports for learning and reduces barriers to the curriculum while maintaining high achievement standards for all.

4. On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The Act is the most sweeping reform of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) since ESEA was enacted in 1965. It redefines the federal role in K-12 education and will help close the achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. It is based on four basic principles: stronger accountability for results, increased flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents, and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work. No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/esea/

5. Recognition networks (what) Strategic networks (how) Affective networks (why)

7. Recognition Network Items I recognized

8. Recognition Network Items I recognized • Strategic Network How old are the people in the picture? What historical period and geographical location do you think this picture represents? Why? How might the people be feeling in this picture?

10. Recognition Network Items I recognized • Strategic Network How old are the people in the picture? What historical period and geographical location do you think this picture represents? Why? How might the people be feeling in this picture? • Affective Network What in particular strikes you about the picture? Note something about yourself that might have led you to focus on these particular aspects

12. 3 Brain Strategies: Recognition—identifies patterns telling us what and where an object is Strategic—generates patterns and tells us how to do things Affective—determines priorities tells us what is important and interesting PET Scan of: 1. Seeing words, 2.Feeling Sad http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/ Click on “Your Three Brain Networks” and conduct the activity. “Tools and Materials that Support the Learning Brain” Anne Meyer and Lucinda M. O’NeilExceptional Parent, May 2000 p. 60l

13. Universal Design for Learning calls for ... • Multiple means of representation, to give learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge, • Multiple means of expression, to provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know, • Multiple means of engagement, to tap into learners' interests, offer appropriate challenges, and increase motivation.

14. Examples of Technology • eText Reader (Victor Wave) • Talking Speller (Franklin) • Graphic Organizer (Inspiration) • Text to Speech (Write OutLoud) • Speech to Text (SpeakQ/Dragon) • Word Prediction (WordQ/CoWriter) • Highlighted Text • Reading Pen • AlphaSmart/Neo • Computer • Tape recorder • MP3 • PDA • Cell phone • Overhead • Elmo

15. Engagement for ALL Students • Digital Texts--sound, animation, video, “alternatives for conveying critical content.” Textbook companies now have to provide CD’s. • Online Resources—have a student create a narrative rather than “write a story” using online resources. • Graphic Organizers/Concept Mapping-Inspiration • Text Software—Text to Speech or Voice Recognition • Microsoft Word-Highlighting Supports for visual text • Captioning of dialogue, music or sound effects combining with text and graphics • Networked Multimedia Tools • Alternative Expression Options for Students-artwork, photography, drama, music, animation and video

16. Low motivation, low self esteem, and anxiety can combine to ‘raise’ the affective filter and form a ‘mental block’ that prevents comprehensible input from being used for acquisition."  (Stephen Krashen, 1988)  Raise Self Image

17. Links: • CAST http://www.cast.org • What forms of Assistive Technology Exist? http://www.doi.gov/atc/atalist.html • See what the Kids are excited about from home: WordOx and other Games on Flipside.com http://www.flipside.com/hoyle/wordox.asp • Get the Text Reader, Read Please http://www.readplease.com • Go to The Moonlit Road http://www.themoonlitroad.com