Universal Design for Learning Presentation

David Phenix
Presentation to Walnut Grove High School
Loganville, Georgia

How did Universal Design get
started?
Universal Design refers to a the
development of buildings, products, and
environments that are universally
accessible to all people whether they are
elderly, disabled, or not disabled.

Universal Design Examples:
Universal Design was born out of
architectural designs for such items like:
Accessibility Ramps
Lowered Curbs
Modified Showers and
Bathrooms in Hotels

Universal Design for Learning
(UDL)
The concept of Universal Design can now
be applied to the educational environment.
The Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
seeks to make the process of learning
adaptable for all people regardless of their
abilities, special needs, or handicaps that
they may possess.

What is a Universal Design for
Learning (UDL) for Education?
A Universal Design for Learning is a set of
principles that give all individuals equal
opportunities to learn.
UDL provides a blueprint for creating
instructional goals, methods, materials, and
assessments that work for everyone.
UDL’s provide a more flexible way of learning
as opposed to a one-size fits all way to
teaching and learning.

There are 3 Primary Networks
that impact learning
It was determined that individuals learn in a
variety of ways and have different skillsets,
needs, motivations, and interests when it comes
to learning. It was determined through
neuroscience that the brain has three networks
that dictate those learning patterns and
motivations. They are:
 Recognition Networks – The “What” of
Learning
 Strategic Networks – The “How” of Learning
 Affective Networks – The “Why” of Learning

Recognition Networks
Recognition Networks
explain how we gather
facts and categorize
what we see, hear, and
read. Identifying
letters, words, numbers
, or an author’s style of
writing would all be
under the Recognition
Network.
http://www.cast.org/udl/index.html

Strategic Network
A strategic network has
to do with how we plan
and perform tasks as
well as organize and
express ideas.
We tend to utilize this
network when we
writing and essay or
solving a math problem

Affective Networks
Affective networks tend
to dictate how learners
stay engaged and
motivated .
It dictates the degree
for which they are
challenged, excited, or
interested in a project
or task.

How Universal Design for Learning Works
The graphic organizer below provides a diagram about how UDL works. In order to
afford students effective learning opportunities, diverse tools and media along with
the flexibility built into UDL must be integrated into the three networks in the brain
that were described in the previous slides.
Rose and Meyer (2002)

The Role of Technology in UDL
As technology continues to advance in our
society, it has opened up tremendous
opportunities to support Universal Design
of Learning. The advances in this area are
affording and assisting more and more
students by providing them learning
opportunities that are adaptable to their
special learning needs and requirements.

Examples of Technology in UDL
CLICK HERE
Click on the button to the right and see an example of a
classroom utilizing Universal Design. You will notice a wide
range of technology-based devices and equipment that can
provide students a wide range of opportunities to learn in
manner that is catered to their needs, abilities, skillsets, and
motivations. As you look at the classroom simulation you
will notice the evidence of many uses of technology which
include:
• Computer Tablets
• Interactive Whiteboards
• Digital Timers
• CD’s
• DVD’s
• Laptop Computers
You will also notice some non-technology-based uses of
Universal Design for Learning such as Books, Prompts,
Checklists, and Daily routines. http://simulator.cte.jhu.edu/simulations/10#!/scene/46

Advances in Technology for
UDL
There are many computer driven advances that are currently
assisting students in learning in a manner that meets there
unique needs. Some of these are:
Speech to Text Computing Modified Keyboards for the
Visually Impaired

The Impact of UDL
Students come into our schools and
classes with a variety of gifts, talents,
abilities, and motivations. They also come
with a wide range of learning challenges,
needs, and, in some cases, disabilities.
Injecting a Universal Design for Learning
for our students will enable them to learn
in a manner that will utilize their talent and
accommodate their challenges.

Benefits of Universal Design for
Learning
“Universal Design for Learning has the
potential to solve the problem of providing
equitable educational opportunity for
diverse learners. UDL is by far the most
satisfactory approach to this problem from
economic, legal, and ethical perspectives.
Further, universal design is more effective
and offers the best solution in terms of
overall curriculum quality.”
http://4.17.143.133/udl/index.cfm?i=12

Brain Research about UDL
“One of the clearest and most important
revelations stemming from brain research is
that there are no "regular" students. The
notion of broad categories of learners-smart,
not smart, disabled, not disabled, regular, not
regular-is a gross oversimplification that does
not reflect reality. By categorizing students in
this way, we miss many subtle and important
qualities and focus instead on a single
characteristic.” (CAST, 2013)
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/chapter2_9.cfm

Brain Research about UDL
“The fundamental nature of the
recognition, strategic, and affective
networks form a framework we can use to
analyze our students' individual strengths
and weaknesses and understand their
Individual differences.” (CAST, 2013)

Differences in Instruction and Learning
Utilizing Universal Designs for Learning
Teachers normally present subject matter
and instruct using one strategy. UDL
recognizes the differences in the way
students learn thus, allowing teachers to
recognize these differences and modify
and accommodate student styles thus
maximizing student performance.

Differences in Recognition
“The overt and subtle differences in how students
best recognize patterns suggest that more varied
means of presentation can reach more students.”
(CAST, 2012)

Differences in Strategy
Understanding the way strategic network
function and the differences in students'
strategic networks is a useful guide when
teaching skills and strategies such as
predicting, summarizing, and determining
the steps needed to solve a problem or
write an essay. Differences in strategic
skills manifest as
preferences, proclivities, or significant
strengths and weaknesses.

Differences in Affect
Often teachers tend to misread learning
differences in student as a lack of
motivation. This can be one of the most
challenging task teachers have is to
determine what drives and motivates
student and then adapt it subject matter
and curriculum as stated in most UDL
thinking. “Positive emotion helps to
motivate students just as negative emotion
impedes progress.” (CAST, 2013)

UDL Online Tools and
ResourcesCAST UDL Curriculum Check
The CAST website provide a great tool that allows you to self-evaluate your curriculum
in order to see how it falls in line with Universal Design for Learning. It allows your to
self-check your curriculum based on your goals, methods, materials, and assessments.
It a great tool that allows you see how diverse your curriculum as it relates to your
students. It can provide you some insight as to what adjustments to accommodate the
variety of needs and challenges that face your students.
http://www.cast.org/learningtools/udl_self_check/index.html

CAST UDL Exchange
This is a great networking tools that teachers can use to exchange lesson and resources
with one another. One of the most effect ways to implement UDL is to find what is working
for other teachers and colleagues. This is simple but great tool that allows to exchange
information that will enhance your ability to implement Universal Designs for Learning.
Resources
http://udlexchange.cast.org/home

ResourcesCAST UDL Lesson Builder
This is great tool to build lesson that can fall in line with UDL in mind. If takes your
existing or new lesson and builds it around the Universal Design for Learning. Great
tool to design lesson and accommodate it for your other students.
http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/

References
Benefits of universal design for learning. (2002, March 13). Retrieved from
http://4.17.143.133/udl/index.cfm?i=12
Cast: Teaching every student: About udl. (2002). Retrieved from
Cast: Teaching every student. (2002). Retrieved from
Cast udl curriculum check. (2002). Retrieved from
http://www.cast.org/learningtools/udl_self_check/index.html

References
Cast udl exchange. (2002). Retrieved from http://udlexchange.cast.org/home
Cast udl lesson builder. (2002). Retrieved from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/
Classroom simulation. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://simulator.cte.jhu.edu/simulations/10
Rose, D.H., Meyer. A Strangman, N., & Rappolt, G (2002). Teaching every
student in the digital age: Universal design for learning. Alexandria, VA:
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Retrieved from
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes

Universal Design for Learning Presentation

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