Universal Design for Learning: A Framework for Teaching All Learners August , 2013 Everett, MA

UDLCenter.org For Online Resources & UDL Community Visit the UDL National Center Click on UDL Connect Sign up to join “UDL” Sign Up! CAST©2013

#UDL social media CAST UDL Center AIM Center #UDLchat: 1 st & 3 rd Thursdays of the month, 8-8:30pm ET CAST©2013

Who are we? Grace Meo Sr. Director of Professional Learning & Outreach Services Mindy Johnson Instructional Designer & Research Associate CAST©2013

Getting to Know You Scavenger hunt CAST©2013

Workshop Goals Day 1: To learn how UDL addresses challenges of learner variability  expert learners Days 2 and 3 To strategize how to apply UDL to practice To build tools & resources CAST©2013

Seen another way: UDL Framewor k UDL Guideline s Application Lesson Planning CAST©2013

This workshop: build awareness CAST©2013

What are your goals? For this workshop For your professional development CAST©2013

The Marshmallow Challenge Goal: build collaboration around design CAST©2013

Rules 18 minutes, team of 4 build the tallest freestanding structure – Cannot be suspended – Entire marshmallow on top Use as much/little of the contents in bag (not the bag); can break, cut… Cannot hold onto the structure Have fun, collaborate & be creative CAST©2013

Begin! CAST©2013

Goals from activity: Design: – collaborative – iterative process – Goal driven Feedback about what works/what does not (prototypes) Ut-oh  ta-da moment CAST©2013

Watch the TED talk (optional) CAST©2013

Why start with that activity? Variability! – Strategy – Engagement – Representation CAST©2013

Current neuroscience about learning *Variability *Learning occurs at the dynamic interaction between learner & environment (context matters!) CAST©2013

Variability: CAST©2013

Context matters CAST©2013

UDL: Variability & Context Matter CAST©2013

Elbow buddy discussion Share a key take-away. What resonated? How do ideas of variability & context relate to this discussion? CAST©2013

Break CAST©2013

Building Background: Started ‘in the margins’ CAST©2013

Inspired by Universal Design … “all new environments and products, to the greatest extent possible, should be usable by everyone regardless of their age, ability, or circumstance. ” Retrieved May 6, 2011 from CAST©2013

You can retrofit, however … CAST©2013

Design from beginning to reduce barriers for individuals, but make available for all CAST©2013

Who benefits from this design? CAST©2013

Choose one & discuss: Who was it designed for? What barriers were reduced? Who else benefits? Ramps Curb Cuts Electric Doors Captions on Television Easy Grip Tools… CAST©2013

UD Assumptions 1.Not one size fits all – but alternatives for everyone. 1.Not added on later – but designed from the beginning. 1. Not access for some – but access for everyone. CAST©2013

Where are you in your understanding about UDL? 1 = Just beginning! 2 = I know a little about UDL! 3 = Ask me anything about UDL: I could lead this session! CAST©2013

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) A mindset for designing learning experiences all individuals can gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning reduces barriers to the curriculum while maintaining high achievement standards for all CAST©2013

UDL Accounts for variability and context Thinks of changing the curriculum, not the student UDL Guidelines: clarify goals, ensures all have flexible, accessible means to access CAST©2013

Questions, Reflections? CAST©2013

UDL Guidelines: address variability & context CAST©2013

Guiding Principles of UDL Provide Multiple Means of Representation PerceptionLanguage and SymbolsComprehension Resourceful & Knowledgeable Provide Multiple Means of Expression Physical Action Expressive Skills and Fluency Executive Function Strategic & Goal- Directed Provide Multiple Means of Engagement Recruiting Interest Sustaining Effort and Persistence Self-RegulationPurposeful & Motivated Recognition NetworksStrategic NetworksAffective Networks CAST©2013

3 Principles CAST©2013

Team Challenge: Re-design Marshmallow activity – Think about variability & context from start – Design so ALL can achieve the goal: To have a tall, freestanding structure with marshmallow on top Consider the 3 UDL Principles: – Recognition – Action & Expression – Engagement CAST©2013

Share ideas CAST©2013

Questions? Comments? Coming this afternoon: Dive deeper into the UDL Guidelines CAST©2013

LUNCH 12:00-1:00