(Note: I won’t be offended if you don’t read this blog as long as you read that one that I link to: Lisa Parisi’s excellent post on setting up a universal design for learning environment in the classroom.)
Over the weekend I endeavored to write new blog post on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the framework developed by the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) to reach all learners. My intended focus was how to persuade schools/districts to embrace more flexibility in the design of curricula and the delivery of learning materials, in accordance with UDL’s core principles of providing for:
- Multiple means of representation, to give learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge,
- Multiple means of action and expression, to provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know,
- Multiple means of engagement, to tap into learners’ interests, offer appropriate challenges, and increase motivation.
Over the years, I have approached UDL from several different angles. I discovered UDL in my graduate studies in educational technology, and I have several years of experience in content management, thus there was an immediate professional appeal to me.
Second, I am also a tax payer. While I recognize that budgets are tight, my feeling is that there is plenty of education money being egregiously spent by all levels of government. My personal opinion is that some funds could be reallocated toward resources that improve learning for all, while mitigating behavioral issues and other distractions.
My most important reason for having such a strong opinion on UDL, and educational reform in general: I am the parent of a highly-intelligent boy ( maybe a little “too smart” as the saying goes) who is already “checked out.” He is in kindergarten. Thus, student engagement is a deeply personal issue in my household.
I do find some comfort in the fact UDL’s tide is starting to rise in the education world. This is evidenced by the following:
- UDL framework language is included in technology plans of several states (Michigan among them).
- Inclusion of UDL courses and teaching certificates in the curriculum at major universities, (Grand Valley State in my neck of the woods)
- Legislation in states such as Maryland has mandated incorporation of UDL into the general curriculum plans
- David Rose, PhD, co-founder of the Center for Applied Special Technology (creator of UDL) was a lead author of the most recent US Educational Technology plan
Note: one thing that struck me about the Tech Plan was that there no mention of Microsoft or Apple (or IBM or specific educational publishers…) There were 65 mentions of student engagement.
So over the weekend (full of motivation and caffeine) I bellied up to my laptop….and stared at the screen. As I thought about UDL in the classroom, I began to realize, that despite the research and the top-down activity by states/provinces and the national governments, change absolutely had to come from the bottom-up. That is, this had to be a teacher-led movement.
As a classroom “outsider” I struggled to find examples of teachers who had taken the initiative to implement UDL framework and could describe (better than I ) what a UDL classroom would look like. I was having some difficulty finding examples of such, my frustration was evident by my salty language.
As fate would have it, after a few minutes of uttering cuss words, Twitter seemed to sense my frustrations and made me aware of a brand-new blog posting by an elementary school teacher, who so eloquently described what I couldn’t. Certainly this had to be an answer to my “swears.”
If you are a teacher, student, parent, administrator, taxpayer, I urge you to read this wonderful blog post on UDL in classroom. In addition to merely describing teaching practices and materials, it makes important points on change management (“Educators must give up that position of power…”).
I will be writing more about UDL from my view as an educational technologist (and a content manager, a parent…) in the near future. In the meantime, I urge you (as parent, administrator, taxpayer, Secretary of Education) to read Lisa’s blog on UDL from the classroom teacher’s perspective.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Hey! I know this is sort of off-topic however I needed to ask.
Does operating a well-established website like yours take a large amount of work?
I am completely new to blogging however I do write in my diary on a daily
basis. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my own experience and feelings online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for brand
new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!
Every weekend i used to go to see this site, because i
want enjoyment, since this this website conations in fact pleasant
funny data too.
This is really interesting, You’re an excessively professional blogger.
I have joined your feed and look ahead to in search of extra
of your great post. Additionally, I’ve shared your web site in my social
networks
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this webpage’s posts every day along with a cup of coffee.
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web
the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while
people consider worries that they just do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Great post.
Why people still make use of to read news papers when in this technological globe all is accessible on net?
Holymoly that’s crazy man! Thank you so much I really appreciate for this man. Can i say to you change
your life and if you want to have a checkout? I will definitly share
info about how to become a millionaire I will be the
one showing values from now on.
Sharing is a great way to give back to the community.
I understand that by giving back, I am fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Excellent blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What
host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours
lol
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this fantastic blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google
account. I look forward to new updates and will share this site with my Facebook group.
Chat soon!
Thanks for every other informative site. The place else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal method?
I have a venture that I’m simply now operating on,
and I’ve been at the glance out for such info.
Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
Inspiring story there. What happened after? Thanks!
Awesome! Its really amazing article, I have got much
clear idea concerning from this paragraph.
When someone writes an piece of writing he/she maintains the thought of a user in his/her brain that how a user can know it.
So that’s why this post is perfect. Thanks!
Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
Keep on working, great job!