Universal Design Learning in the classroom:
I've never heard the term Universal Design in Learning before this semester at SHSU. I've heard differentiation thrown around like confetti, but this term brings the idea of differentiating into focus.
Universal Design makes sure all students have an equal opportunity to learn in the classroom, is flexible in how students both access knowledge and show learning, and looks for different ways to motivate those students to learn more.
When you break UDL down into its three main principles (Engagement, Representation, and Action/Expression), it's easier to understand that there are probably things that are used commonly throughout education these days. Long gone are (or at least should be) the days of lecture, notes, tests, worksheets on constant repeat in the classroom. With the rise in technology and access, and advocacy for students with different learning styles (audio, visual, kinesthetic) it's EXTREMELY important to adjust lessons to hit on all of the parts so that students can maximize what they are absorbing.
In my classroom, I'm constantly trying to make sure I reach all types of learning styles. I teach both advanced and regular ELA in my school. I'm a little more flexible in my advanced classes when it comes to student choice on daily assignments, but I've started incorporating student choice in my regular classes more and more. I think with training, I'm seeing the benefits of allowing students to have choices far outweigh the benefit of a basic worksheet or question/answer style assignment.
Right now, I feel as if I could definitely incorporate more movement into my lessons. Sometimes in ELA we get bogged down in reading lengthier passages, especially during a novel study that is read in class, but movement would definitely help them engage more. Granted, I've started to incorporate movement into my non-fiction lessons because students don't engage as much as they should.
One of my favorite resources for engaging non-fiction lessons is the book Notice & Note. The authors did a free training at our local region center and we all received their book. I use their 3BQ's every year with my 8th graders and started doing movement and station changing with their 'silent discussion' lesson. I highly recommend this book for teachers who aren't as excited about teaching nonfiction as they are about Poe or Shakespeare. Funnily enough, I had someone at a garage sale tell me her 10th grade students remembered when I taught them the 3BQ's two years previously. Apparently Notice & Note is incorporated into the curriculum taught at our high school.
My best resource, however, is my curriculum coordinator in the district. She is very excited about making ELA more exciting for students, and we often work together to develop lessons that make students more engaged in what they are learning. I always go to her for ideas on how students can express their learning.
I think overall, Universal Design is the BEST way to bring education into the 21st century.
Notice & Note is something I will have to look into. It is great that your district has some consistency in learning/teaching strategy through the grades, that is so helpful for the students.
I agree that curriculum directors are a great resource for helping to implement UDL. I am curious now if there is a version of note and notice that can be taught at the elementary level.
I LOVE that you threw N&N in with your UDL blog. It's great information and really helps boost confidence for teachers who are unsure of what to expect when stepping into ELAR/RLA positions AND for us old dogs that need "new" tricks. That's a great story, by the way - it helps to hear what kind of an impact we make!