Universal Design for Learning was born out of a movement in the world of architecture called Universal Design. Universal Design aimed to create buildings that were accessible to all people. Universal Design for Learning, in it's most basic sense, aims to design curriculum that meets the needs of all learners. As UDL has become more refined over the last thirty years, it has become defined by three central tenants:

• Multiple Means of Representation
• Multiple Means of Expression
• Multiple Means of Engagement

We will look at each of these in detail over the next 7 weeks. 

Weekly Action Steps:

• Comment: What activities/strategies that you currently use are most motivating and engaging for your students? Do you see any ties between those current activities and UDL?
• Survey: Complete the knowledge survey. 

National Center on Universal Design for Learning

The idea of UDL is that it activates multiple parts of the brain and offers multiple modalities for learning, therefore engaging all learners. Much like how universal design in architecture was originally designed to help people with disabilities and was found to help many more (i.e. ramps for wheelchairs also help people with strollers and people with limited mobility who walk with canes or walkers). Each principle of UDL is supported by research. Can you imagine UDL helping students in your classroom?

UDL can be a powerful approach to education because it allows students to maximize their strengths, recognize their own preferred modes of expression and learning styles, and utilize their own expertise and background knowledge. It empowers students to engage in their own educational process.

Weekly Action Steps:

• Comment: Describe a student that you think might benefit from UDL in the classroom (be sure to omit all confidential details).
• Update: Discuss who you see as benefiting from UDL and who you think could be impacted negatively. Include at least one question you have about UDL in the classroom, and be sure to engage in discourse surrounding the questions of others.
• Comment on at least three of your peer's updates.

National Center on Universal Design for Learning

Flexibility in representation aims to create strategic, goal-directed learners. Flexibility in representation comes by providing options for executive functioning, options for expression and communication and options for physical action. Within action and expression, students can engage in goal-setting, use multi media for communication and composition, and utilize tools and assistive technologies. (UDL Center)

Weekly Action Steps:

• Comment: Share one or two main take aways from this week's discussion of Multiple Means of Representation.
• Update: What is one way you already provide Multiple Means of Representation in a classroom activity? What is a way you would like to start providing Multiple Means of Representation to your students?
• Comment on at least three of your peer's updates.

National Center on Universal Design for Learning

According to the National Center on Universal Design for Learning, Multiple Means of Expression is the component of UDL that activates the strategic networks of the brain. The goal of providing multiple means of expression is, as stated above, that we are helping students to become strategic and goal oriented in their learning by providing them with multiple options to express their knowledge. In short, it allows students to demonstrate what they've learned in a way that works best for them, instead of the way that works best for us.

For example, individuals with significant movement impairments (e.g., cerebral palsy), those who struggle with strategic and organizational abilities (executive function disorders), those who have language barriers, and so forth approach learning tasks very differently. Some may be able to express themselves well in written text but not speech, and vice versa. It should also be recognized that action and expression require a great deal of strategy, practice, and organization, and this is another area in which learners can differ. In reality, there is not one means of action and expression that will be optimal for all learners; providing options for action and expression is essential. (National Center on UDL)

This quote shows the benefits of both Multiple Means of Expression and UDL as a larger practice: these practices are not just beneficial for students with disabilities or even student who are traditionally low performing. By engaging students in their own learning process and giving them autonomy over their learning, engagement, and expression, we support all learners. Students with and without disabilities, students at all performance levels, and students who are not native English speakers all benefit from the practices outlined in UDL. 

 Weekly Action Steps:

• Comment: Share a potential cause and effect of providing Multiple Means of Expression.
• Update: Discuss the structure of an activity that provides Multiple Means of Expression. What is included in the activity that wouldn't have been included without this UDL consideration. What functions does the activity achieve?
• Comment on at least three of your peer's updates.

National Center on Universal Design for Learning

The goal of flexibility in engagement is to create purposeful, motivated learners. The three primary components of this principle of UDL are providing options for self-regulation, options for sustaining effort and persistance, and options for recruiting interest. (UDL Center) 

Weekly Action Steps:

• Comment: Link Multiple Means of Engagement to your current teaching practice. Share your thoughts.
• Update: What if you implemented Multiple Means of Engagement in every class you teach? How would it impact your teaching (both in planning time and actual teaching implementation)?
• Comment on at least three of your peer's updates.
• Project: Create a lesson using all three principles of UDL: Multiple Means of Representation, Expression, and Engagement. The lesson can be for any grade level or subject area. Include an explanation of where you have included UDL considerations. Three of your peers will follow the rubric to review your project. Ideally, submit by Sunday evening to give your peers time to review. Here are sample UDL lesson plans to use for inspiration.

The Center for Applied Special Technologies provides sample lesson plans that implement UDL. We will use "The Life Cycle of Butterflies" to examine UDL in action over the next few weeks.

Some of the Multiple Means of Representation included in the lesson are: digital instruction using Kidspiration, reading books, group discussions.

See an example of UDL in action below:

Weekly Action Items:

• Comment: Identify one additional means of representation from within the "Life Cycle of Butterflies" lesson plan.
• Update: Try a new means of representation in the classroom. Share your experience. How did your students respond?
• Comment on at least three of your peer's updates.
• Project: Peer review 3 other learner's projects. Try to complete by Sunday night so your peers have time to revise their projects based on your feedback.

The Center for Applied Special Technologies provides sample lesson plans that implement UDL. We will use "The Life Cycle of Butterflies" to examine UDL in action over the next few weeks.

Some of the Multiple Means of Expression included in the lesson are: drawing, writing, dictation, make a book, graphic organizers.

See an example of UDL in action below:

Weekly Action Items:

• Comment: Share a way that you use or have used Multiple Means of Action in your classroom.
• Update: Consider the example you shared in your comment about using Multiple Means of Action. What is a way you could expand Multiple Means of Action within your classroom? Specifically consider an area in which applying this principle makes you nervous.
• Comment on at least three of your peer's updates.
• Project: Make final revisions to your project and submit. Remember to review the rubric.

The Center for Applied Special Technologies provides sample lesson plans that implement UDL. We will use "The Life Cycle of Butterflies" to examine UDL in action over the next few weeks.

Some of the Multiple Means of Engagement included in the lesson are: sequencing game, a class brainstorming session, choice to work in groups or individually.

See an example of UDL in action below:

Weekly Action Items:

• Comment: Now that we have reached the last week of our professional development module, what is your biggest take away?
• Update: Try implementing Multiple Means of Expression in your classroom this week. Tell us about your experience and your student's reactions.
• Comment on at least three of your peer's updates.