This document discusses Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which aims to provide flexible learning opportunities for all students through representation, expression, and engagement. It outlines the three principles of UDL and provides instructional methods for each. It emphasizes the role technology can play in allowing flexible presentation of content and expression of knowledge. Finally, it proposes ways a school could implement UDL and the benefits it provides for meeting diverse student needs.

1. UDL
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
FOR LEARNING
Providing access and flexibility to all
learners from the planning phase on.

2. Inspiration
UDL was born form the need to provide equal
opportunities for students of all abilities to learn.
Just as all students need to access the school
building, all students must be able to access the
curriculum.
As far as physical environment this includes the use
of ramps, elevators, modified texts, adaptive seating
options, and assistive technology.

3. Three Principles of UDL
1. Provide multiple means of representation
2. Provide multiple means of action and
expression
3. Provide multiple means of engagement

4. Providing Multiple Means of
Representation
Vary the ways in which materials are presented
Instructional methods:
•Provide students with resources that can be
manipulated- online notes, online texts
•When possible provide physical examples or
graphics in order to provide connections
•Use graphic organizers to help arrange
Information

5. Provide Multiple Means of
Expression
Provide students with choices as to how they
will express what they have learned
Instructional methods:
•Use a tic tac toe board with project options
•Incorporate both written and visual
components for projects
•Give opportunities for collaboration with peers
•Provide exemplars for students in order to
guide their efforts

6. Provide Multiple Means of
Engagement
Use practices that motivate students to learn
Instructional Methods:
•Give students an authentic audience/ purpose
for their work
•Publish/display their efforts
•Keep a constant stream of communication,
both student to teacher and student to student
•Use goal setting and monitoring tools

7. The Role of Technology in UDL
Technology allows for information to be
displayed and manipulated as needed
Examples: teacher web pages used to post
notes, text can be enlarged, reduced
highlighted, printed, or changed to audio
Technology gives students a variety of mediums
to express knowledge
Examples: podcasts, web pages, videos, Power
Points, wikkis, and blogs

8. The Role of Technology Cont.
Technology increases the means of
communication for teachers and students
Examples: blogs, school sponsored chat sites, e-
mail, web pages
Technology allows for flexibility in presenting
content
Examples:

9. Brain Research
Learning is distributed across the three networks, students need
flexibility within the curriculum in order to utilize all three networks

10. Recognition Network Implications
Strategies to Engage
Recognition
Provide Use media to
multiple tap/spark
examples background
knowledge
Allow student to
Present models observe critical Share videos
numerous times features about the topic Use virtual field
trips
Highlight
Allow students to critical
Bring in real
see, hear, and feel features world writings
models on topic
Use varying text
structures to Utilize graphic
draw attention organizers
Alter voice
inflection

11. Strategic Network Implications
Strategies to Engage Strategy
Demonstrate Give students
multiple flexible
ways to opportunities to
undertake demonstrate
tasks skills
Accept alternative
Collect/share
approaches
multiple samples Presentations Media projects
Give students
chances to
Describe different practice skills
methods with support Apply technology
to writing tasks
Scaffold Help students
instruction identify what
approaches work
Provide ongoing
feedback

12. Affective Network Implications
Strategies to Engage
Affective
Connect Provide
learning to materials
student with varying
interests levels
Utilize access to
Provide topic
technology Magazine articles
options
Outside books
Provide alternate
ways to gather Websites and
information blogs

13. Using Technology to Support Brain
Research Findings
Technology can be used to build a collection of
web based tools that support each network.
Technology allows teachers to find and utilize
software that challenges and inspires students
Technology is a means through which to locate
and share varied examples of relevant topics
Technology gives students flexibility in how to
complete tasks and present learning

14. UDL Benefits

15. Ways to Implement UDL at SMS
Recognition Learning
Share Brainpop videos, United Streaming materials
Utilize SMART boards, Elmos, and mounted
Projectors
Present and post hyper media notes with
adjustable text

16. Ways to Implement UDL at SMS
Strategic Learning
Use of Study Island and Cool Math online
programs for supported practice
Use of staff shared online files to provide ideas
for project/product options
Use of bookmarking tools by department for
resource sharing Delicious, Diigo, Stu
mbleupon

17. Ways to Implement UDL at SMS
Affective Learning
Use of online library retrieval system to offer a
variety of materials at various levels
Provide students with access to school’s online
subscriptions in order to allow them to research
areas of interest

18. Impact of UDL
The implementation of UDL allows schools to
meet the needs of students with a wide variety
of learning styles
UDL makes the curriculum accessible for all
students including those with exceptionalities
Ensures that all students can display their
learning in a manner with which they are
comfortable
Provides a curricula that is designed to
be flexible and enriched with multi media so that
alternatives can be accessed whenever appropriate

19. CAST Tools
UDL Goal Setter
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/udlgoalsetter.cfm
Free online tool that allows teachers to breakdown standards and define
clear goals for classes and identify where scaffolds would be beneficial
Useful in planning sessions at grade and department levels
UDL Class Profile Maker
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/classprofile.cfm
Free online tool that allows teachers to identify and organize students
strengths, needs, and interests taking all three brain networks into account
Great for grouping students, helpful when discussing students as a team
UDL Solutions Finder
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/udlsolutionsfinder.cfm
Free online tool that helps teachers identify barriers to learning and then
provides solutions to overcome those barriers
Useful in planning sessions, promotes differentiated instruction

20. Resources
CAST (2011). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.0.
Wakefield, MA: Author
Burgstahler, Sheryl. (2007). Universal design of instruction: definition,
principles, and examples. DoIT. Retrieved from
http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/filemanager/download/acce
ssibility/UofWash_UD_instruction.pdf.
Hall, T., Strangman, N., & Meyer, A. (2011). Differentiated instruction
and implications for UDL implementation.

21. Resources
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Brain research and
udl.[Webcast]. Baltimore, MD: Author
https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_
id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Fty
pe%3DCourse%26id%3D_2651154_1%26url%3D
Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching every student in the digital age:
Universal design for learning. Retrieved from
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/
http://www.udlresource.com/udl.html
http://www.udlresource.com/index.html
http://udlhcpss.wordpress.com/