How I Would Engage With Universal Design For Learning

Knowing the mind of a middle schooler, the first guideline I would provide is Options For Recruiting Interest.  Students love to own and control their learning and by giving them choice, they become invested and lots of learning takes place. Pathways are an excellent way of achieving this.

I am a believer in guided notes.  They keep the students focused on the content, providing them an Option for Comprehension.  Guided notes have the ability to highlight the "Big Idea" and significant features of the lesson.  It also increases the accuracy of notes and boosts retention. (Grossman & Ohara, 2016).

I am sold on the use of stations in my classroom.  Small group instruction is hard to come by in a middle school setting, but blended learning gives an educator that ability.  Stations provide Multiple Means of Representation.  Small groups are an excellent opportunity for individualized learning, personalized feedback, and collaboration.  This time can also be used to build relationships and develop a good report with students (Jones, 2007).   While some students are in a small group session, others are working on collaborative assignments or using online tools to benefit the learning of the assigned content.

One UDL principle I need to be more intentional about online is my use of color.  I am a visual learner and I like to use colored backgrounds and lots of loud prints.  I need to remember that not everyone is a visual learner and can be easily distracted by patterns and colors.

Consistency and simplicity are key.  When creating an online course, especially in middle school, navigation must be easily achieved.  As an educator, you want to avoid any assignment confusion if possible.  If the students know what to expect when they enter an online class site, they will get right to work.  This will save both the educator and the students time and unnecessary effort. Having good classroom / online management provides accessible material to engaged and eager learners.


Resources:

CAST (2011). Universal design for learning guidelines version 2.0. Wake eld, MA: Author.

Grossman, E., & Ohara, C. (2016). Guided Notes, Improving the Effectiveness of Your

        Lectures. Improving the Quality of Education for Students With Disabilities, Ohio  

        State University.

Jones, R.W. "Learning and teaching in small groups: characteristics, benefits, problems and approaches." The

Free Library 01 August 2007. 11 June 2018. Retrieved from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Learning and

teaching in small groups: characteristics, benefits,...-a0188797043.