Foundation- Universal Design for learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction (DI)
What are your current understandings about Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction?
Universal design for learning (UDL)
UDL refers to designing a learning environment that is the most effective for all students. It is a learner centers design that takes into account the different learning styles, knowledge, language ability, interests and readiness to learn. There are four core concepts of UDL.
Universality and equality- It is important for an educator to be aware of their students. Each student is different and respond differently to different activities. As a teacher we need to be able to accommodate all the different learners in a way that suits each individuals and maximises their ability to succeed.
Flexibility and inclusiveness- Not all students are the same so teacher need to be able to be flexible with time and space. Teacher should be able to use verity of different teaching strategies and pedagogues to keep students engaged. Should should incorporate variety of tools, technologies and assessment methods (Marzano’s instructional strategies) to suit all the different learners in a classroom.
Appropriately designed space- A learning environment needs to be designed to support all students with minimal distractions. Teachers need to keep in mind if all students have a clear line of sight and adequate space and time. The learning materials should also be provided in different forms to accommodate all learners.
Simplicity- It is vital for teachers to provide clear, simple and easy to follow instructions. Lessons should be planed with the student’s ability in mind and knowledge and instructions should be simple for all students to follow.
Safety – It is important to design a learning environment that is physically and emotionally safe. Learning environments should be safe to fail and students should feel safe to inquire and learn.
Differentiated instructions (DI)
DI takes into account that all students are different and instructions need to be given in a variety of ways to support all students. Teachers need to know and understand their students well and provide instructions that are appropriately challenging and engaging.
Instructions need to be varies to create an effective learning environment.
Content- teachers need to plan the content well. They need to take into account the ability of the student and teach accordingly. Teachers also need to plan when to teach that is most effective for the students.
Process- there needs to be a variety in the activity given to the students so they are engaged in learning and maximise their ability to succeed.
Product- the product of students need to also vary to highlight all the different types of learners.
The principles of UDL and DI supports inquiry-based learning. Inquiry-based learning empowers students and allows them to explore and learn. They are given the opportunity to explore and understand the cognitive and effective domains of learning – that is, metacognition. Research has found inquiry based learning to be very effective in teaching a verity of skills and helping students debug misconceptions.
How can UDL and DI be beneficial to ALL of your students?
UDL and DI puts students first by taking into account all the different student ability, interests, readiness and learning styles. It is a learner centered concept that encourages teachers to know and be aware of there students.
What challenges might you face when considering UDL and DI in your lesson and unit planning?
UDL and DI principal’s entails teachers plan with students in mind. Lessons can be planned to have a variety of activities and instructions to support all learnings. Assessment should also vary to highlight learnings of all individuals.
While UDL and DI are effective it can be challenging to incorporate into all classrooms. In many cases resources may be lacking to accommodate all learners. Also some classes may have students that vary greatly in ability, providing instructions for such classes may be challenging as instructions may be easy for some while challenging for others. In such cases teacher need to keep in mind the different abilities and plan activities that are appropriate for everyone can succeed.
