UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING
What is UDL?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles for developing curriculum that gives all learners equal opportunity for learning (CAST). It builds on the idea that all learners are unique and therefore LEARN uniquely. ALL students need flexibility in the way information is represented, differentiation in how they can express what they know, and variance in how they are motivated and engaged during learning.
Why use digital technologies?
Digital technologies give students accessibility. They are flexible tools that can be used to differentiate learning tasks, represent and communicate ideas, and help to motivate and engage students in learning.
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How can digital technologies help?
Representation: How students acquire information.
Digital technologies give students accessibility to learning. Educators can use digital technologies to present information to students in different ways and differentiate texts to give students more independence to access information, that otherwise may be too difficult. Presenting information in a range of different ways and allowing for personal differences ensures that all students can meet with success.
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Action & Expression: How students show what they have learned.
Giving students choice about how they can show what they know is powerful. It gives students more ownership over their learning and it promotes self-reflection, self-assessment and furthers personal goal setting. Students who learn to choose the strategy or tool that works best for them are more confident, engaged and motivated because they are able to use their strengths to foster and share their new learning. Many different digital technologies are available for students to uniquely highlight their learning and share their ideas with others.
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Engagement: How we motivate and engage students in learning.
School can be tricky! For some learners it is easier to quit than to keep trying and failing. Educators must provide ways to get students excited about learning, maintain their focus and truly believe that they CAN be successful.
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