Universal Design Learning

"Universal design for learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn." This is what the CAST website says, as a definition for UDL. I think it is spot on for the definition we learned about in class! This website; http://www.cast.org/our-work/about-udl.html#.WPQnvtLyvb0 gives great information! It talks about three different guidelines for UDL. The first is the Affective Networks: The WHY of Learning - Engagement, which is "for purposeful, motivated learners, stimulate interest and motivation for learning". The second is the Recognition Networks: The WHAT of Learning - Representation, which is "for resourceful, knowledgeable learners, present information and content in different ways". The third is the Strategic Networks: The HOW of Learning - Action and Expression, which is "for strategic, goal-directed learners, differentiated the ways that students can express what they know". These sections go into great detail about the different ways teachers can include all students in learning in the classroom. This website also has a video that gives you a little background on what UDL is and how you can apply it to your classroom.

Reading Rockets is also a website that I visit quite often that has good information. Luckily, it has an article about UDL as well! Here is the weblink: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/universal-design-learning-meeting-needs-all-students