Universal Design for Learning: Achieving student success in diverse ways

As a Teacher Candidate, actively participating in classrooms and learning from experienced educators has provided me with firsthand insights into adapting teaching styles to meet students' diverse needs. Utilizing the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework has been invaluable in guiding these adaptations. Drawing from resources like Edutopia and applying principles of UDL, I've implemented the following strategies to accommodate my students:

(Above: a Rubric) Marking can be time consuming, and heartbreaking when a student's mark isn't at par with the others. This is the time to ask yourself: "How can I teach my lesson differently?"

1. Teach content in many ways:

In my teaching approach, I strive to accommodate diverse learning styles by utilizing various methods such as providing handouts, reading material aloud while writing key points on the board, and verbally reviewing content with learners one-on-one to ensure understanding. Additionally, I am incorporating videos and podcasts into an upcoming lesson to further diversify learning opportunities.

Left: a slide show with audio to demonstrate to non-native English speakers how words are annunciated with vocal tonalities in the English language. Words are on the screen for visual learners to follow. This lesson was a given to students on how to develop a podcast.

2. Provide choices to sustain student engagement:

Offering students choices in how they communicate their learning empowers them to engage more deeply with the material and connect with the content on a personal level. During my last practicum, I provided students with options to respond to a social issue of their choice using various writing styles or formats, such as a personal letter, a poem, a comic strip, or an essay. This approach yielded excellent results, with students demonstrating understanding and creativity and received positive feedback on their work when I assessed them.

3. Provide accommodations for all students:

As a teacher candidate, respecting the privacy of students' Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) is paramount. While I didn't have access to IEPs (due the MT's discretion, I still provided accommodations that benefitted all students, such as making lesson materials available online for easy access. Implementing Universal Design for Learning principles ensures instruction is accessible to diverse learners, allowing them to set their own goals and be more accountable for their learning. This approach fosters inclusivity and supports each student's individual needs.

Left: Slides and instructions that were uploaded into google classroom. This provides access to students in case they missed important information during an in-person lesson.

Sources:

Parrish, N. (2019, May 18). Ensuring That Instruction Is Inclusive for Diverse

Learners. edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/ensuring-instruction-inclusive-diverse-learners/