UDL Tips Grades K-2
Christine Verge
Brenda Bondini
Gisel Dwyer
Hey teachers! Are you looking for a way to reach more students with your tier one instruction? Then give UDL a try. UDL stands for Universal Design for Learning and is based on a set of guidelines that help you design classrooms, lessons and assessments that better reach the learning needs of all the students in your class and helps them activate their brains to become expert learners. This is achieved by designing environments and instruction that optimizes student choice in three areas: engagement, representation, action and expression.
The area of engagement involves developing learners who see purpose to their learning and can stay motivated when things get difficult. Important aspects for teachers to think about with regards to engagement are: Did I make the standard that I am teaching clear to my students? Did I help my students to connect why knowing this will help them learn or how it relates to the real world? Does the lesson allow for enough student self-direction, goal setting and collaboration with others to maintain learning momentum when things get challenging?
Representation deals with how the lesson will be presented to the class in a way to support as many students as possible. Here it is important to present the lesson in as many modalities as possible being sure that the learning standard is explicitly shared with the group. Also, it is important to think about how to support students by helping with vocabulary and building up prior knowledge. Does the lesson have an auditory, visual component and is technology embedded? Ideally students should be able to go back to review information presented as needed to complete the assignment associated with the lesson.
Finally, in the action and expression guideline of UDL, teachers need to reflect on how learners can show what they have learned. Students should have options for ways to show their learning, this helps them to be able to make choices and plan goals. Technology and many options for support should be available for students to use as needed to help them be successful. All of this may seem overwhelming but start small. Try adding UDL strategies to one aspect of a lesson. When you see how students react, you will want to add more.
How has UDL impacted our view of teaching and learning?
As educators we need to increase our own efficacy, which is the ability to teach all students. In order to do this we need to implement a framework that allows for student choice. UDL builds expert teaching by modeling and mentoring learning to all students. To do this teachers need to:
Focus on how students will be successful.
Present concepts in different ways.
Help students learn the standards.
Work towards common goals and language.
Have the growth mindset that skills are grown and developed and are the foundation of learning.
Eliminate barriers in classrooms and curriculum so every student can succeed.
Not only measure student’s knowledge but learning process as well.
Have multiple and flexible ongoing assignments and alternate assessments so that you can learn about students over time.
Combine UDL with PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports-a whole school initiative to encourage expert learning) to develop lessons that will ensure appropriate expectations and behaviors.
Involve the critical 21st century skills and SEL (Social Emotional Learning) for career readiness.
As educators our view of learning has changed as well. Educators need to teach about learning and realize it is a process not a fixed goal. UDL has helped us to realize that all students:
Need to be engaged, challenged, and supported.
Need to have a learning environment that is flexible and smart enough to support any level.
Need to collaborate and reflect to help improve and sustain effort and persistence.
Need to have assignments that measure their growth and not just their proficiency.
Need to have the tools, resources, and skills to become expert learners.
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