Good Teachers Already Use UDL

Many teachers already use universal design for learning techniques without even knowing it.  A good teacher already provides multiple examples, highlights critical features, provides multiple media formats, and supporting background knowledge. (Rose,, D., & Meyer, A. (2002)  Creating a lesson using the UDL format was relatively simple for me personally.  As a special education teacher I am constantly looking for a variety of ways to engage and teach to a variety of learning styles.  I often “take what I can get” from any of my students.  They may choose to draw a picture, create a chant, create a picture presentation on the computer.  I don’t really care how they give me what they have learned as long as they give me something.  I think that is what UDL is all about.  This way of teaching allows a teacher to leave behind so called “traditional” teaching behind.  It allows a teacher to accept any form of work a student will produce and encourages students to be creative and more importantly to think for themselves.  Of course, guidance will always be needed and it may take some “training” for the students to learn what acceptable work looks like. 

Citation:

Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning, Chapter 6:  Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching every student in the digital age: Universal design for learning. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Available online at the Center for Applied Special Technology Web site. Chapter 6. Retrieved from http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/