Where do I start?

"We must first transform ourselves in order to transform our systems." - Katie Novak

Start by believing.

Start slow.

Start being ok with not knowing all the answers and feeling uncomfortable.

Start thinking about what you need to unlearn.

JUST START SOMEWHERE.

Think about the variability that exists in your classroom - in any classroom.

Ask yourself "What changes (start small) can I make in my classroom that will help meet the needs of the wide range of learners?"

Then... ask your learners.

Ask your students what they need in order to learn in their classroom. How do they like to learn? What are some things they feel are barriers to their learning? What are some of their strengths? What are some of their challenges in learning? Here is a link to a student feedback survey you may wish to use to get some valuable information from your learners. You may wish to modify the questions to meet the needs (and age) of your learners.

An interesting way to gauge how your learners learn (for understanding) is to ask the following 3 questions (taken from the article found below '3 Questions to Kickstart UDL in your Classroom')

1. What is something you understood well?

2. How did you develop this understanding?

3. How do you know you understood it?

Use this data to help guide your planning and decisions to begin removing barriers to learning in your classroom!

Once you have decided to begin this journey, find others that are willing to join you. Find your peeps and create your very own professional learning community.

Take a few minutes to watch this short video "Where do you start?" for some instant motivation.

Join Twitter and follow the UDL community and other educators that have already embraced UDL. To give you a head start look for @katienovakUDL, @cast_UDL, @UDLforTeachers

It's a Marathon, not a Race

Have a look at how one school implemented UDL in their school.

planning tools for consideration