Resources of UDL

Universal Design for Learning is not easy to implement as well as not implemented by all teachers.  I myself had not heard of it until this class.  I like the information presented and see how they can transform the classroom.  The most useful websites were udlcenter.org and cast.org because they both provide a multitude of information, videos, pictures, and blogs about this method of teaching.  There are graphic organizers to help utilize the UDL.  These two websites are directly linked and most likely share most or all the information but portray it differently between the two websites.  “Teaching Every Student” is also another website that would put on the top of the list for “teacher friendly” websites due to the knowledge presented on it.  University of Washington, however left must to e desired since it lacked much information as well as an attractive appearance to the knowledge.  These websites have all been added to my bookmarks to help with any future use in UDL for my classrooms. The video that follows should help teachers like me learn about UDL for the first time in a manner easily understood. 

http://www.cast.org/library/video/udl_intro/index.html

Reflection of UDL

Through the past few weeks, I have started utilizing UDL in a past lesson plan.  I have attempted to make the lesson plan more accessible to all students instead of only the “normal” student.  My strengths I believe would be under principle 3 part 8.  I attempt to push my students to their fullest potential.  I do not take “I do not know” as an answer but I do offer assistance from fellow students.  I prefer group work for my students to allow them to answer questions and learn on their own.  I also do appreciate technology in the classroom.  It may be difficult to control; however, the most engaged students are those using technology that are already interested in using.  They also can find an aspect about the subject they find fascinating enough to engage them in the topic.  Students also tend to lead discussions especially during Advanced Placement European History.  I do however find myself weak in monitoring progress and truly connecting the material to their lives.  It becomes difficult to understand the generations and see the connection they will understand with the subject.  I also find it difficult to change activities many times in a class period, but this may be due to inexperience at the point.  

Who has used Curriculum Barriers?

On the same website, there is a program that assists in curriculum barriers.  I used it to first complete the tutorial to see how to do one.  The website also showed examples of students with different disabilities.  It was extremely helpful to see the barriers expressed in that manner.  I used that to help create one of my own. I found though that my experience with students with disabilities is very limited.  I have had students with anxiety, ADHD, and those whose first language that is not English.  Barriers I found were: short attention span, location of seat, how information is presented, and PowerPoint.  The students had issues with their seat location due to surrounding students, windows, and hallway.  There is also the problem of short attention span.  The students with ADHD must be kept in constant motion and ever-changing activities.  I found this might explain how my class did not respond well when I changed activities by day or part way through class because it was not often enough.  This method would point out all that I would need to consider for any student with such disabilities.  I hope to use this method a little bit in the future upon more experience with students with disabilities.  

Teaching Every Student?

The website about Teaching Every Student discusses all the basic information about Universal Design for Learning.  It discusses in detail what the major factors of the aspects of UDL.  I have never used Universal Design for Learning, but I look forward to implementing these methods as well as the others shown on the previous websites in my future classroom. I found the website to be a useful explanation and introduction to this method of teaching.  I hope one day to become better acquainted with this method and use almost all the components.  When reflecting on my lesson plan from class, I have barely used many of the items on the checklist.  I hope to use more items on the checklist to open up my classroom to more differentiated instruction.  This method can be used in any classroom and with any number of students with disabilities.  This shall be a difficult task at first but soon I shall implement it with ease.

Cast.org UDL

The website cast.org discusses the concept of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) similar to that of the toolkits website.  This website however goes into more detail as to what UDL is and how it affects students.  It provides in depth knowledge of UDL and its principles.  It also includes examples of each principle.  The methods used help in making the experience well rounded for each student.  There is no easy way to include all students but with a variety of sources and strategies a teacher can make all students feel interested and connected to the subject.  When looking at this information with a lesson plan, I could see that I need to work all including students in a more well rounded method.  The principles help that choice and interest are very important.  Every teacher can learn from this learning method.  It is very different from the way many of us were taught which will lead us as teachers with little experience in its implementation.