Building Your UDL Toolkit

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for designing curricula that is flexible enough to work with a wide range of students.  This flexibility is achieved by considering the varying needs of students when lessons are being designed and by implementing the UDL guidelines.  The three main principles of UDL help teachers address diverse needs by providing multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement.

Please watch the two introductory videos to gain an understanding of the basic concepts of UDL.  Then explore the UDL Guidelines in the downloadable activity found on the Resources Tab.

The Options for Perception guideline draws attention to variability in students’ perceptual needs.  It’s important to ensure that students can see and hear instruction and that educational materials are designed in a way that enhances perception.

Teachers can support learning by clarifying vocabulary and symbols, syntax and structure, and supporting the decoding of text, mathematical notation, and symbols.

Teachers play a vital role in structuring knowledge in a way that enhances learning.  Strategies which support comprehension include providing background knowledge and highlighting patterns, critical features, big ideas, and relationships.  The following online resources are helpful in providing options for comprehension.

Students will vary in their abilities and preferences for physical action.  Wiggle cushions, bouncy balls, standing desks, and pencil grips are now being used in many schools.  Students may differ in the way they access tools and assistive technologies.

A key concept in UDL is offering students choice in the way they demonstrate their learning.  This includes using multiple media for communication and multiple tools for construction and composition.  Teachers can support learning by offering varying levels of support for performance and practice.

Learning to set goals, plan assignments and monitor progress are important student skills.  Teachers often support students in becoming strategic goal-directed learners by helping to structure or chunk assignments, using graphic organizers and planning tools, and providing checklists or rubrics.

Methods of recruiting interest include establishing a safe classroom environment free of threats and distractions and encouraging individual choice and autonomy.  Students are more likely to embrace learning that is relevant and authentic.  This collection of online resources provides some options for recruiting interest.

In order to succeed as learners, students need to develop “grit” and a growth mindset to persist in the face of difficulty.  Teachers can assist by fostering classroom collaboration and community.

Developing personal coping skills and strategies for self-assessment and reflection assist students in learning to self-regulate.  BC teachers are beginning to use online portfolios to promote student goal-setting, self-assessment and reflection.  This module provides a brief overview and comparison of several online portfolio options.