How Universal Design for Learning helps students merge onto the 'learning expressway'
How Universal Design for Learning helps students merge onto the 'learning expressway'
How Universal Design for Learning helps students merge onto the 'learning expressway'
By Nimah Gobir
July 2, 2023
Summary
Universal Design for Learning, an approach where teachers seek to make learning accessible to all students regardless of their backgrounds, abilities, or learning preferences, is at the root of Smith's lessons.
Ratesha Fritzgerald, an educator and author of Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning, said UDL can be likened to a learning expressway with multiple means of representation, engagement and expression serving as on-ramps, traffic patterns and off-ramps.
If students are learning about different plant types, a teacher could structure the lesson so students read seed packets, meet local gardeners and examine a variety of plant samples.
With practice, Smith said, teachers get more comfortable identifying how to adapt core content so all students are learning important skills.
Multiple means of engagement is when a teacher gives students a variety of ways to participate in learning tasks, such as project-based learning, games or discussions.
"Every time you merge onto an expressway of learning, the traffic pattern is going to be different. You'll be surrounded by different cars," said Fritzgerald.
"What supports do you lean on? How do you set your GPS?". Returning to the example of a lesson on plant types, a teacher could provide different options for students to have a deeper learning experience, such as participating in a community garden, starting a herb garden at home or observing a neighbor's houseplants.
Reference
Gobir, N. (2023, July 2). How universal design for learning helps students merge onto the “learning expressway.” KQED. https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/61731/how-universal-design-for-learning-helps-students-merge-onto-the-learning-expressway