Educational Posts/ Weekly Reading!

For this weeks weekly reading, I did some research on the National Center Universal Design for Learning otherwise known as UDL. I've discovered that the UDL is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. To sum this up into more simple terms, the UDL acts as a basic plan or layout that incorporates a more flexible approach to learning that allows one to create instructional goals, methods, materials and assessments that work for everyone!   This approach is more effective and beneficial to all learners and can be customized and adjusted to suit for individual needs. The UDL rely on 3 universal designs for learning which are as follows: the "what" of learning, the "why" of learning, and last but not least the "how" of learning. 

 The "what" of learning, more specifically known as the recognition network uses the basic idea and or principle of showing students there are more than one way of representing an idea.  Learners differ in the ways that they perceive and comprehend information that is presented to them. Some students can grasp information quicker using visual and or auditory means while others learn better by reading texts. As a future teacher it is very important to understand the idea of showing multiple ways of passing on information to my students that will allow for optimal learning for students of all kinds. 

The second design or principle the UDL says to incorporate into teaching students is the "how" of learning, more specially referred to as the strategic network.   The strategic network consists of the planning and performing of tasks. It put an emphasis on how we organize and express our ideas as teachers and how students express their ideas to us teachers to show what they have learned.   In reality, there is not one means of action and expression that will be optimal for all learners thus this principle promotes teachers to  provide many options for expression.

Last but not least is the effective network that focuses on the "why" of learning.  This principle promotes teachers to  provide many ways of engaging students that will spark their interests and keep them actively participating.   There is not one means of engagement that will be optimal for all learners in all contexts; providing multiple options for engagement is essential in the "why" process of learning.  

Below I'm going to post a link that will take you directly to the UDL website where you can access more information! http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl

Keep your eyes peeled for the next post!