This document discusses Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which aims to make learning accessible to all students by providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and action/expression. UDL draws on principles of universal design applied to education. It encourages flexible approaches and materials to meet diverse learner needs. The document outlines the three UDL principles and brain research supporting its approach. It also provides examples of technology tools like the UDL Book Builder that can help implement UDL principles. Overall, UDL seeks to address learner diversity and make lessons more relevant through customizable, student-centered instructional methods and materials.

1. Universal Design for
Learning
Amanda L. Darlington
EDUC 7109

2. The idea...
Have you ever had to walk up stairs
with crutches, a stroller, or even a
wheelchair?

3. There has to be a
better way!
• The term “Universal Design” was coined by the architect Ronald L. Mace to
describe the concept of designing all products and buildings in a way that
makes them accessible by all users.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_design

4. What’s next
• Just as Universal Design in architecture aims to make
the physical world accessible to everyone, Universal
Design for Learning is also aiming to making learning
accessible to all students.
“UDL provides a blueprint for creating instructional
goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work
for everyone--not a single, one-size-fits-all solution
but rather flexible approaches that can be customized
and adjusted for individual needs” (CAST.org).

5. How does UDL Support
Diversity?
• “From pre-kindergarten to graduate school, classrooms
usually 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... A universally designed
curriculum is designed from the outset to meet the
needs of the greatest numbers of users, making costly,
time-consuming, and after-the-fact changes to the
curriculum unnecessary” (
http://www.cast.org/udl/faq/index.html).

6. Three Principles of
UDL
• Multiple means of representation
Multiple means of action and
expression
• Multiple means of engagement

7. Multiple Means of
Representation
• Students have the opportunity to gain information
through different forms of representation.
Examples:
• Audio/video lessons
• Multimedia/photo presentations
• Computer Software

8. Multiple Means of
Action and Expression
ExExpExpression
• Studentshave the opportunity to
present their knowledge of material
using various methods.
Examples:
• Student presentations using multimedia software
• Simulations
• Graphic Organizers

9. Multiple Means of
Engagement
• Studentshave the opportunity to
participate in activities that engage
them and are interesting to them.
Examples:
• Guest speakers
• Simulations
Relation of material to pop culture
• Making the material relevant to the students’ lives

10. Technology in UDL
• Technologyallows UDL to be
implemented in a plethora of ways
with a variety of sources.
• Technologytools help to support the
individualization necessary to engage
all types of learners (
http://www.cast.org/research/udl/index.ht
)

11. Impact of UDL
• Willhelp us to address our diverse
populations
Will make our lessons more relevant
to students
• Willgive students more options to
learn and display their depth of
knowledge.

12. Brain Research on
UDL
• Thebrain is broken up into three
different networks:
Recognition Networks
• Strategic Networks
Affective Networks

13. Three Networks

14. Recognition Networks
This network identifies information
or recognizes it and can use it
later(Rose, D., & Meyer, A.,2002).

15. Strategic Networks
This network plans, executes, and
monitors what is important (Rose, D.,
& Meyer, A., 2002).

16. Affective Networks
This network evaluates and set
priorities of the learning process
(Rose, D., & Meyer, A., 2002).

17. Cast Resources
• UDL Book Builder
UDL Curriculum Self Check
• UDL Tech Toolkit

18. UDL Book Builder
• Helpsteachers create digital books
to support reading and literacy
instruction/learning.
Will help our school with below grade
level readers.
• http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/

19. UDL Curriculum Self
Check
• Helpsteachers add flexibility into
their lessons so they can reach and
engage all students.
Provides a guideline to check lessons
and see where you stand as an
educator using UDL.
• http://udlselfcheck.cast.org/

20. UDL Tech Toolkit
• Thissite gives several resources
that teachers can use in their
classrooms such as graphic organizers
and math, literacy, and writing
tools.
http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/

21. Resources
• Centerfor Applied Special Technology
(CAST),(2010) Universal Design for
Learning.
Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002).
Teaching every student in the digital
age: Universal design for learning.
Retrieved from
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/