Korey Tremblay

 Universal Design is the theory that an innovation which serves one purpose has other side benefits.  Common examples of UD include: 1. “Curb cuts”, which increase accessibility for people requiring wheelchairs, have the added benefit of increasing accessibility for people with strollers, luggage, and other “tow behinds” 2. The use of dry erase boards in the classroom intended to help a student with a disability has the added benefit of more engaging learning for kinesthetic learners.

 Universal Design is not a “one size fits all” approach to education.  I originally believed this to be the case, however, through research, learned otherwise.  While largely centered on the teacher, it isn’t the teacher alone who makes a UDL classroom successful.  Universal Design isn’t needed in college.

 As the name suggests, this model is broken into three sections: Social and emotional learning, the physical setting and lessons, and student autonomy.  Heavily based on engagement  Academic engagement and Social engagement are both important to have, not merely one or the other (Katz, 2013).

 Ten teachers were selected to participate in a workshop to learn this model, and implement it into their classrooms.  Of the ten, six teachers of varying K-12 grade levels implemented the model.  The four who didn’t served as a control group, maintaining engagement for 19 minutes of a 60 minute class.  The Three Block Model classes maintained 44 minutes of engagement, showing promise in this model (Katz, 2013).

 The price tag of equipment (technology or otherwise) doesn’t determine the quality.  Alternatives exist to licensed software, as an example, that are free and competitive with thousand dollar software.  Computerized testing can serve as an alternative to written testing, providing more time and text to speech services (Brand, Favazza, & Dalton, 2012).

 Technology does, and will continue to, play an important role in the classroom.  From smart phones, to tablets to smart boards, technology makes the learning environment even more convenient and accessible.  Accessibility of online media from course pages, such as Moodle, allows students to work and ask questions outside of class.

 According to Henderson, who was quoted by Gradel and Edson, the percentage of full time college freshmen with disabilities has increased to 9.8% from 2.3% over the last twenty years (Gradel & Edson, 2010).  In regards to higher education, digital text seems to be the primary focus.  In regards to the cost of UDL, mentioned earlier, these digital texts are available longer and for cheaper than standard text.  The teaching style, the cost, and the location of use all come full circle to be intertwined at all levels.

 As someone who loves computers, my future classroom will definitely integrate technology.  A moodle sight for my classes will be an excellent tool for providing assistance with homework, and allowing students to interact and seek help from each other.  I will also try to integrate free software into my lessons when I can, such as using Inspiration to allow students to build concept maps.

 However, not all students are technologically literate. Workshops will need to be held early in the school year for students to learn computer skills.  Incorporation of computer models of chemical compounds will be important in Chemistry, as seeing and building models will appeal to visual and kinesthetic learners.

 In addition to relying heavily on technology, I plan to attend a workshop on the three block model so that it can be incorporated into my lesson plans.  Due to the obvious benefits of more than doubling student engagement, I feel this would be an important workshop to attend.

 Brand, S., Favazza, A. E., & Dalton, E. M. (2012). Universal Design for Learning: A blueprint for success for all learners. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 48(3),  Gradel, K., & Edson, A. J. (2010). Putting universal design for learning on the higher ed agenda. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 38(2),  Katz, J. (2013). The Three Block Model of Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Engaging students in inclusive education. Canadian Journal Of Education, 36(1),