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Universal Design For Learning: An Architect’s Approach to Lesson Planning
- March 1, 2016
- Posted by: The Teachers Academy
- Category: All Blog Postings
Have you ever had a lesson that you spent hours researching and creating flop when you tried to implement it? Have you ever felt frustrated that, no matter how hard you try, you are just not able to reach some of your students? Have you ever wondered why a student in your class who you KNOW is smart never seems to do well on assignments?
If you answered “yes” to any of these statements, The Teacher’s Academy’s newest course, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), might just give you the answers you need.
Design for the extreme student, and everyone wins!
UDL is a concept that revolutionizes the way teachers think about creating, delivering, and assessing lessons. The idea originally came from architects who were tasked with designing buildings that were handicap accessible. The results were better buildings, not only for people with handicaps, but for everyone. What these architects discovered was that items, objects and buildings that are designed for the average person are inferior to those that are designed for the fringe population.
Imagine using this same approach to design your lesson designs. UDL can show you how a concept that has been used in everything from soap dispensers to the Guggenheim can help your students, all of your students, achieve their fullest potential.
Consider your students…Which one is average? Here’s something that good teachers already know: The average student does not exist.
There are no average kids, so… for whom are you planning your lessons?
Kids come to us from a variety of ability levels and backgrounds. It is our job, as educators, to find ways to reach them where they are and bring them to the next level of learning. Our UDL course uses a series of thoughtful videos and informational articles to explain the science behind The Universal Design for Learning and give you some practical ways to implement it into your classroom.
Utilizing the principles of UDL in the classroom allows you to reach your students in a variety of ways and assess their comprehension using multiple means.
You probably are already doing UDL…It’s also called…
Not only is UDL based in years of research by respected figures in the field of education (Vygotsky, Piaget, and Bloom, to name a few), but it also supports a variety of educational initiatives such as Project Based Learning, STEM, and Response to Intervention. Lesson Plans created with UDL in mind will naturally incorporate teaching methods such as differentiation, using multiple intelligences, learning styles, interests, ability levels, and cooperative learning.
Students who may have been lacking in confidence or motivation during more traditional lessons will start to see how their particular set of skills is valuable. Students who may not have performed well on tests or other more formal methods of assessment will now have opportunities to show what they’ve learned. Since you’re no longer teaching to the average Joe, your classroom will become a place where students of all abilities and backgrounds will feel valued and experience success.
Experience UDL and get PD hours for it!
The Teacher’s Academy Universal Design for Learning professional development course is designed to take 6 hours to complete. It fulfills Act 48 Requirements and is accepted in most states. Once you have successfully completed the course, the valuable resources contained in it are yours to keep and refer back to as needed.
UDL is only one of the many incredible courses that The Teacher’s Academy has to offer. Check out our website to explore the entire course catalog. Let The Teacher’s Academy help you meet your professional development goals on your own time in a way that is convenient for you.