2. The idea of Universal Design originated from architecture.
Certain environments or products were having to be continually
adapted through after-thought add-ons, such as wheel chair
ramps, because they were designed originally for the “average”
person. This narrow focus on the “average” caused many
obstacles for others. Universal Design works to eliminate those
obstacles by designing the place or product with all people in
mind. Thus, it is intended to be usable for all.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN: WHAT IS IT?
3. So many things in today’s education system are geared towards
the “average” student. What is the “average” student? Turns
out, there isn’t one! Every child is an individual and is unique in
the way in which they learn best. Therefore, by trying to build
everything around this fictional “average” student, we are
letting other students, on both ends of the spectrum, fall
through the cracks. That is where the Universal Design of
learning comes into play.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN: EDUCATION
4. The Universal Design of learning is designed to try and reach
every student and to give all students the best chance of
becoming “expert learners”. In other words, it is set up to
provide students with the best opportunity possible for them to
become successful learners and even “lovers of learning”. It
does this through three steps:
1. Using multiple representations to present information
2. Being flexible with allowing students to present what
they know.
3. Provide multiple means of
engagement- such as different
mediums for the students to work
with.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN: EDUCATION
5. The implementation of this Universal Design of learning will not
be an easy one. It will require that the faculty at the school
come together as one to get behind the approach and to begin
to work with it. For the teachers it will require a deeper thought
process behind the now fuller lesson plans. A classroom is rich
with a vast variety of learners, and a successful lesson plan will
not only be engaging to them, but will also be approached in
many different ways in the hopes of meeting all of these
student’s needs.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN: IMPLEMENTATION
6. Burgstahler, Sheryl. Universal Design of Instruction (UDI):
Definition, Principles, Guidelines, and Examples.
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/i
nstruction.html
Howard, K. L. (2004, February). Universal Design for Learning:
Meeting the needs of all students. Learning and Leading
with Technology, 31(5), 26-29.
http://4.17.143.133/udl/index.cfm?i=4992
UDL Center. “Implementing UDL.” YouTube. Web. 17 March 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3ardmq0a0&featur
e=relmfu
UDL Center. “UDL: Principles and Practice.” YouTube. Web. 17
March 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGLTJw0GSxk
REFERENCES
