Implementing Universal Design for Learning in Your Classroom

In a recent newsletter shared by the PK-8 Teaching and Learning Center, teachers were encouraged to implement strategies from an instructional method called Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This curriculum design includes a set of principles for creating instruction that provides all students with equal opportunities to learn. 

UDL is designed to serve all learners, regardless of ability, disability, age, gender, or cultural and linguistic background. Learners differ in the manner from which they perceive presented information; they may learn best through the implementation of instruction that includes the various modalities of learning such as visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. UDL provides a framework for designing goals, methods, materials, and assessments to reach all learners, including those who have learning differences. 

UDL suggests a varied and flexible manner from which to instruct all learners. Since we know that all learners are unique, differentiated instruction recommends teaching and learning should provide students a variety of options for the learning and assessment processes. Differentiated instruction recognizes the diversity of learners that make up a single class; therefore, it is imperative teachers provide meaningful information, through a variety of approaches to meet those diverse needs. 

The first principle of UDL supports providing multiple means of representation to present content in different ways. To support the various methods of representation, teachers are encouraged to provide multiple examples, highlight critical features, and build background knowledge, otherwise known as schema. 

The second principle of UDL advocates multiple means of action and expression to differentiate the ways students may express what they know. Teachers support this principle by providing flexible models of performance, opportunities to practice with support, provide ongoing, relevant feedback, and by offering flexible opportunities for demonstrating skill or understanding. 

Finally, through multiple means of engagement, interest and motivation for learning are stimulated. Teachers offer choices, adjust levels of challenge, and offer a variety of learning situations and choices of rewards. 

Not only does the Universal Design for Learning approach increase flexibility in teaching, it presents information and content in varied ways to differentiate the way learners can express their knowledge while engaging students in meaningful, authentic learning. 

"The Three Principles | National Center On Universal Design for Learning." The Three Principles | National Center On Universal Design for Learning. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Sept. 2013.