Universal Design for Learning Breaking the Barriers May 29, 2008

Why do we evaluate? To determine the effectiveness of curriculum materials and methods To compare achievement levels within and across schools, school systems, districts and states To evaluate student knowledge and skill

To determine the effectiveness of curriculum materials and methods

To compare achievement levels within and across schools, school systems, districts and states

To evaluate student knowledge and skill

Barriers to Accurate Assessment Individual learning differences Media constraints Lack of appropriate supports Lack of integration with curriculum

Individual learning differences

Media constraints

Lack of appropriate supports

Lack of integration with curriculum

Individual learning differences Individual differences in content recognition Individual differences in strategic expression Individual differences in engagement

Individual differences in content recognition

Individual differences in strategic expression

Individual differences in engagement

Media constraints Considering the type of skill or knowledge being measured and the medium in which it is being assessed Crossing media lines to gain a richer understanding of what students know

Considering the type of skill or knowledge being measured and the medium in which it is being assessed

Crossing media lines to gain a richer understanding of what students know

Lack of appropriate supports Focus on the goal of the assessment Don’t remove daily supports during an assessment

Focus on the goal of the assessment

Don’t remove daily supports during an assessment

Lack of integration with curriculum Most traditional assessments are detached from instruction and practice We need to examine the interaction between student and curriculum over time Observe and talk to students Ongoing assessment allows us to measure the evolution of the learning

Most traditional assessments are detached from instruction and practice

We need to examine the interaction between student and curriculum over time

Observe and talk to students

Ongoing assessment allows us to measure the evolution of the learning

Increasing Assessment Accuracy and Accessibility Flexibility in presentation Flexibility in expression and strategic supports Flexibility in engagement

Flexibility in presentation

Flexibility in expression and strategic supports

Flexibility in engagement

Flexibility in presentation Varied media Different Supports links to background info / vocabulary Concept map Key points Diagram

Varied media

Different Supports

links to background info / vocabulary

Concept map

Key points

Diagram

Flexibility in expression and strategic supports Technology tools make it easier for the teacher to provide multiple options Teachers can combine a variety of tools to track learner progress

Technology tools make it easier for the teacher to provide multiple options

Teachers can combine a variety of tools to track learner progress

Flexibility in engagement Include embedded assessment Ensure that every student is working at a comfortable and appropriate stage of difficulty Vary the content

Include embedded assessment

Ensure that every student is working at a comfortable and appropriate stage of difficulty

Vary the content

Motivation “the essential engine of learning”

“the essential engine of learning”