Universal Design for Learning

The universal design movement began with architecture and product development, calling for designs from the onset that considered the needs of the greatest number of people, eliminating unattractive and expensive additions later.

Following this same framework, the Center for Applied Technology (CAST) has developed the Universal Design for Learning. Three primary principles guide the Universal Design for Learning:

Universal Design for Learning calls for ...

• Multiple means of representation, to give learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge,
• Multiple means of action and expression, to provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know,
• Multiple means of engagement, to tap into learners' interests, offer appropriate challenges, and increase motivation.

As teachers, we often worry and consider the needs of our special education students. How are they going to access the curriculum? How are they going to pass this or that assessment? CAST insists the three principles need to be considered before we even design a curriculum, lesson plans or assessment. Instead of retro fitting the curriculum to the students needs after the fact, how about we take it all into consideration before we begin? Like the beautiful building pictured here, the ramp has been used in the design to enhance it. Universal Design for Learning will do the same for all students, enhance their learning making curriculum, lesson plans and assessments more accessible.


Want to learn more? Check out their website.
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/

Ken not Tom

First article of business for this post:I made an error on my pod-cast post. The author of The Element is Ken Robinson-not Tom Robbinson. I apologize for this mistake. It was my third attempt at posting the podcast. On the first two I had written much more, by the third attempt I just wanted to get it posted. Poor excuse, but it is the only one I have.

Speaking of podcasts, I was really interested in learning about what everyone had read, so I listened to all of them. I have to admit I was getting a bit sleepy but the Halloween ghost dogs really livened things up for me, Thanks Liz!

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't sleepy due to the podcasts. In fact I found them all very informative. It had more to due with the fact that it was after 8pm. As a result of listening to all of them, I have some new books added to my reading list. Top on the list will be the book Melanie shared. I was intriqued with the comparison of the invention of Google to the invention of electricity. Teaching Outside the Box, How to Grab Your Students By Their Brains is another book I look forward to reading.

A few reoccuring themes presented themselves again. Technology is here to stay and educational systems must catch up. Creative thinking is the future to our success. Teachers and administrators need time for professional development to transform schools. Ben told us about a district in Alaska that give their teachers 30 days a year!