What is UDL, why should the classroom change, how should students be learning and how should teachers be teaching. 

Hello!!  And welcome to UDL session 201 where we will explore the Universal Design for Instruction in more detail.  UDL will change how the classroom looks and acts.  Education NEEDS to change, and UDL is exactly what will help guide the way to transforming education to help eliminate barriers students face in the classroom.

As an educator, you want your students to ALL be successful, right?  I hope so at least!! ;) So what are YOU doing to help them be successful?  Let me guess: Neat rows of desks and chairs, with everyone facing the front of the class at attention?  No one moving… everyone MUST sit still, no talking, and do exactly the same thing? EEEEKKK I hope not!  This isn’t the military!  Everyone learns differently, and expresses their thoughts differently.  How many of you have tried the same diet or workout plan as your friend, but DID NOT get the same results?  Well DUH… all body types are different, and what works for one person isn’t the same for another.  SAME concept can translate to the classroom!  That’s why Universal Design for Instruction (UDL) needs to be implemented in all classrooms.   

UDL allows everyone, every student, to access the general curriculum no matter what the students level is.  This, then, helps to ensure all students are successful as well as engaged.  UDL allows the class work to be personalized,, therefore making it more meaningful to the students.

If the learning more personalized, they put forth more effort!!! For example, in the article titles "Stop Penalizing Boys for Not Being Able To Sit Still at School," it stated that teachers who utilized certain elements in their lessons were more successful.  These elements (activities) including allowing students to create poems/raps for an assessment at the end of lesson/unit, comic strips to show comprehension, etc.  Also, anything that doesn't force them to remain seated and silent all the time.  Orderly classrooms with everyone doing the same type of learning isn't always the best answer.  To ensure that everyone is getting the education they deserve, it's necessary to start considering the students and who they are as individuals.

The article "Teachers Must Ditch 'neuromyth' of Learning Styles" stated information about how scientists have discovered that teachers/schools are still using "learning styles" to help guide instruction, but its NOT USEFUL, or necessarily a good guide for teaching anymore.  As I read this, I thought to myself "oh!"   Even though I took the first UDL course, I guess I didn't realize the difference until I read the article.  The learning styles can be considered when creating activities using the UDL model, but don't just think because a little survey stated a student excels at learning when using a certain learning style, that is the only way they learn.  Learning styles such as tactile (hands-on), listening, or visual can help you when creating lessons/activities, but teaching has evolved, and studies have showed that rather than quick-fixes, teachers should focus on REAL learning and real progress.  So, instead of assigning students to groups based on the learning style a survey says they have, maybe focus more on giving the students OPTIONS!  UDL allows options for learning, that promotes self-discovery, thinking independently, and allows for realizations on their own.

As educators, we must teach students to be innovative, all while reaching their needs such as social, emotional, health/wellness, academic and family.  In order to do this, you must KNOW your students.  Surveys can help get you there, but REAL conversations, and an effort to understand the students background, likes/dislikes, etc, will help YOU AND THEM to be successful.

By knowing your students, you can provide the interventions and extra support, as well as the TOOLS they need so they can be successfully academically.  By being flexible and adapting lessons for students needs, innovative creative learning will occur, and kids will be in control of their academics because it will mean more to them if it’s personalized. SOOOO… lets all be the students “personal trainers.”  Get them off the same diet plans, and given them a plan that will make them want to come to the gym (class) and begin to see GAINS J