Embedded Files
Published by Mike Neumire on 6/14/2024
When thinking about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), many teachers feel overwhelmed at the idea of planning for numerous meaningful options for every lesson they teach. The prospect of customizing each lesson to cater to the diverse needs of students can indeed seem daunting. However, rather than viewing UDL as a need to create multiple pathways for every individual lesson, educators can approach it as an opportunity to build flexible systems within their classrooms. By embedding options into the overall classroom environment, teachers can provide consistent, meaningful choices without the burden of redesigning each lesson plan.
UDL emphasizes providing multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression. Instead of tailoring each lesson, teachers can establish a variety of tools and methods that students can use regularly. This systemic approach not only simplifies planning but also encourages students to take ownership of their learning by choosing the methods that work best for them.
Imagine you have a student, Alex, who talks about his plans to become a Youtuber. You could plan a lesson that ends in students making an explainer video in Canva. To be more UDL aligned, the explainer video could be one option to wrap up this particular lesson. However, planning out each option for each lesson will quickly deplete your cognitive reserves. Instead, the explainer video can be an option to wrap up any lesson. By going this route, you don't have to spend nearly as much time planning for students, and can instead help them make meaningful choices based on the content they're consuming and their goals, interests, etc.
Steps to get Started
Set the Foundation: Introduce the concept of explainer videos to the entire class. Provide a tutorial on using Canva, emphasizing its potential for creating educational content. This might be best at the beginning of the year. You may wish to invite your instructional technology coach (me!) to train students to use Canva.
Embed Choice: Whenever a project or assignment is given, remind students that creating an explainer video is one of the options they can choose.
Encourage Creativity: Motivate students to think creatively about how they can present their learning. Alex, who dreams of being a YouTuber, can now approach each lesson through the lens of content creation.
Benefits
Consistency: Alex knows that video creation is a valid method of demonstrating knowledge in any topic, reducing anxiety about new assignments. As his explainer video toolbelt deepens, he'll be able to create them more efficiently.
Engagement: Alex remains motivated and engaged by working on something he is passionate about. Don't forget that in addition to interpersonal variability (variability from student to student), there is also intrapersonal variability (variability within the same student over time). Alex may want a break from the video creator grind, or be inspired by a new game he plays at home and want to explore a new project like a board game design for the next unit. You like Dr. Pepper, but you don't want Dr. Pepper every day. Luckily, your classroom system supports this intrapersonal variability with other options that he can explore.
Skill Development: Alex continually hones his video creation skills, benefiting both his academic and personal growth.
Versatile tools for the job
Canva: students can use Canva to create so many visual projects. The list includes, but is not limited to, videos, infographics, posters, slideshows, websites, whiteboards, Youtube thumbnail images, one-pagers, etc.
Scratch: Scratch is a blank canvas that students can bring to life with blocks of code. They could make something simple, like a clicker game to represent the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons. They could make something a little more complex, like a falling object game where players have to move their mouse around to catch key items based on a profile students have developed about a character from a novel. Feeling overwhelmed by this option? Have your instructional technology coach out to work with your students!
Gimkit Creative: most teachers and students use Gimkit to review concepts or prepare for tests by playing the games that Gimkit has provided. However that is just the tip of the creative iceberg, as Gimkit now offers Gimkit Creative: a game design studio that gives teachers and students all the tools they need to make their own immersive Gimkit game modes. Like Scratch, the projects that students develop in Gimkit Creative can be very simple and quick to build, or much more in-depth and spanning.
Google Forms: when students generate their own questions around a topic, whether they be quiz questions or more probing questions, they engage with that content more deeply and consider it in new contexts. Students could also leverage the "jump to section" and "answer must contain" options to build in some conditional formatting to their Google Form, making it more of a "choose-your-own-adventure" kind of experience.
Breakout EDU: human beings love to immerse themselves in a mystery. It's in our nature to want to close open loops. Students can show a deep understanding of a concept or skill by turning it into a Breakout clue. They can do this using the official Breakout EDU site, or many other resources, both digital and analog.
When implementing UDL, it's crucial to focus on creating a classroom system that naturally embeds options for recruiting interest. By integrating flexible tools and methods into your classroom environment, you can provide meaningful choices without overwhelming yourself with the need to customize each lesson. This approach not only supports diverse learning needs but also empowers students to engage with content in ways that are personally meaningful to them.
Remember, the goal of UDL is not to complicate your teaching but to make learning accessible and engaging for all students. By leveraging tools like AI chatbots and versatile digital platforms, you can create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
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