Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework that provides flexibility in how information is presented, how students respond or demonstrate their knowledge, and how students are engaged. UDL aims to reduce barriers in instruction and provide appropriate support to meet the needs of all learners. UDL is based on research about how the brain functions and individual differences in learners. Technology plays a central role in UDL by allowing for flexible presentation of content in multiple formats.

1. Universal Design of Learning By: Emily Williams EDUC-6714I-3 Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology

2. What is UDL? “ The concept of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is the intersection where all our initiatives—integrated units, multi-sensory teaching, multiple intelligences, differentiated instruction, use of computers in schools, performance-based assessment, and others—come together.” -CAST http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v =pGLTJw0GSxk&feature= player_detailpage

3. Inspiration of UDL Universal design is a concept originally developed in the field of architecture. It arose from the need to provide greater accessibility in buildings and public spaces for everyone. A building reflecting universal design principles, for example, would allow someone with physical disabilities to get in and around as easily as those without physical challenges. (Laureate Education, 2009)

4. Examples in the Physical Environment Ramps Curb Cuts Electric Doors Closed Captions Escalators Elevators

5. The CAST Principles of UDL Instructional Example: read aloud, highlighting of text, listen to audio version of text Instructional Example: written response, verbal presentation, art project, dramatic interpretation, technological presentation Instructional Example: reflection journal, flexible grouping, video/audio clips

7. Central Role of Technology in UDL Technology can be as diverse as the students themselves. (Laureate Education, 2009) Digital tools allow for flexibility to display content in different ways. Materials can be relevant to student’s learning preference. Technology is an engaging tool and can enhance student learning.

8. Technology Examples amplification software screen magnifiers Voice recognition software Keyboard/mouse alternatives Hands free control Clickers Captioning Translation software Wikis/Blogs

9. UDL and Impact on Student Learning Provides alternatives Allows for flexibility Not “one size fits all” approach to learning More ways to access learning, more ways to participate, and more ways to demonstrate learning Results in an environment where all students are provided with the maximum opportunity to learn Increase technological awareness

10. Brain Research and Student Differences The complex organization and unique structure of the brain is different in every learner. A large network of brain tissue links with many smaller networks to perform particular kinds of processing and managing particular learning tasks. Three primary networks, structurally and functionally distinguishable but closely connected and functioning together, are equally essential to learning. We identify these networks by terms that reflect their functions: the recognition, strategic, and affective networks. (Rose & Meyer, 2002) UDL’s three principles parallel to these three brain networks to determine a learner’s strengths and weaknesses.

11. Description of the relationship between the 3 Principles of UDL vs 3 Brain Networks

12. Description of the 3 Brain Networks

13. UDL support cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and academic diversity? From pre-kindergarten to graduate school, classrooms include learners with diverse abilities and backgrounds, including students with physical, sensory, and learning disabilities, differing cultural and linguistic backgrounds, varied preferences and motivations for learning, students who are unusually gifted, and many others. Universal Design for Learning supports teachers’ efforts to meet the challenge of diversity by providing flexible instructional materials, techniques, and strategies that help teachers differentiate instruction to meet these varied needs. -CAST

14. Technology and Brain Research Technology can provide multiple means of presenting information Representation- visual/auditory support, customization of brightness/contrast/image size, language choices, tutorials Strategic- alternatives for physical actions, provide immediate feedback Engagement – navigate based on interest, make decisions, choice of topic

15. CAST Resources UDL Book Builder http://www.cast.org/learningtools/book_builder/index.html This free online tool enables educators to develop their own digital books to support reading instruction for students. Teachers create, edit, and save resource-rich texts. Terry, an animated character, guides educators as they write text, choose images, and develop scripts for the prompts, hints, and models that will help build readers' skills.

16. CAST Resources CAST UDL Curriculum Self-Check http:// www.cast.org/learningtools/udl_self_check/index.html This free online tool helps educators build options and flexibility into each element of the curriculum (goals, methods, materials, and assessments) in order to reach and engage all students.

17. CAST Resources UDL Guidelines http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines The UDL Guidelines, an articulation of the UDL framework, can assist anyone who plans lessons/units of study or develops curricula (goals, methods, materials, and assessments) to reduce barriers, as well as optimize levels of challenge and support, to meet the needs of all learners from the start. They can also help educators identify the barriers found in existing curricula.

18. Resources/Pictures Slide 1: http://atclassroom.blogspot.com/2010/07/universal-design-for-learning.html Slide 2: http:// udlstrategies.wikispaces.com / Slide 3: http:// www.cast.org/research/index.html : Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). (Executive Producer). Universal design for learning. Baltimore, MD: Rose. Slide 4: http:// www.sabes.org/boston/akira/udl/udlhandout_ledit.html http://www.ncicap.org/livecap.asp http:// www.indiamart.com/elevatorindia/elevators.html http://learnthat.com/2010/12/career-guide-for-elevator-installers/ Slide 5: http:// www.udlcenter.org/resource_library/articles/udl Slide 6: http://www.slideshare.net/NCUDL/udl-a-framework-for-access-and-equity Slide 7: http:// technologyoutlets.com / Slide 8: http://blog.vcu.edu/csvdev2/2010/01/universal-design-for-learning-helps-reduce-challenging-behavior.html Slide 9: http://marylandlearninglinks.org/1021 Slide 10: Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching every student in the digital age: Universal design for learning . Retrieved from http:// www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes / Slide 11: http:// www.uvm.edu/~cdci/universaldesign/?Page =about- udl/guidelines-principles.php&SM =about- udl/submenu.html Slide 12: http:// udlforlearning.wikispaces.com/Brain+Research+and+UDL Slide 13: http://www.today.ucla.edu/portal/ut/PRN-champions-of-diversity-are-lauded-159003.aspx Slide 14: http://www.scoop.it/t/assistive-technology/p/108792001/udl-tech-toolkit CAST, Inc. (2002–2011). Teaching every student: Tools and activities. Retrieved from http:// www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools /