UDL Toolkits: Teaching Every Student

The Planning for All Learners (PAL) process builds upon two prerequisites: A basic understanding of Universal Design for Learning, andCommitment of participating educators to make the curriculum and learning accessible for all learners. The PAL process begins with the formation of the PAL team, comprised of general education and special education teachers and other appropriate educational specialists at one grade level or with a content specific focus. The PAL process includes four steps, based upon the principles and concepts of UDL, proven professional development strategies, and effective teaching practices. Goal setting is essential to ensure that all learners have access to the goals; be sure to separate means from goals. Establish a context - Provide background information regarding the content and topic for the lesson. TeachEvaluate lesson/unitRevise lesson/unit Example: A teacher describes how her students reacted to a PAL-based lesson.

UDL Lesson Plan Instructions Instructions The Dilemma How can I teach grade-level standards to all students in general education, regardless of exceptionality? How do I assess and grade them? How do I follow President Bush’s mandate and leave no child behind without watering down the curriculum? How can I maintain high expectations for all students? The Answer Make learning accessible for all students by universal design for learning. Using the Lesson Plan for Universal Design Keep in mind! The UDL lesson plan is NOT a daily lesson plan. Standards Locate the standards from your State Department of Education website. Plan a schedule for covering the standards during the school year. Use a theme approach for covering the standards when possible. Co-plan with gifted and special educators to see how IEP and enrichment objectives for particular students can be addressed by the standards. Specific Behavioral Objectives State Department Standards are often not observable or measurable. Be careful!

UDL Lesson Plan Ideas Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technology What is Universal Design for Learning? Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to teaching, learning, curriculum development and assessment that uses new technologies to respond to a variety of individual learner differences. IDEA 2004 defines Universal design using the same definition as the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 3002.( “The term 'universal design' means a concept or philosophy for designing and delivering products and services that are usable by people with the widest possible range of functional capabilities, which include products and services that are directly accessible (without requiring assistive technologies) and products and services that are interoperable with assistive technologies.” (Section 3(19)of Assistive Technology Act as amended in 2004 UDL does not eliminate the need for assistive technology. Online Tool Kits, Articles, Books Universal Design for Learning: Policy Challenges and Recommendations (2009, April). (2008, August).

UDL Guidelines 2.0 The goal of education in the 21st century is not simply the mastery of content knowledge or use of new technologies. It is the mastery of the learning process. Education should help turn novice learners into expert learners—individuals who want to learn, who know how to learn strategically, and who, in their own highly individual and flexible ways, are well prepared for a lifetime of learning. The UDL Guidelines, an articulation of the UDL framework, can assist anyone who plans lessons/units of study or develops curricula (goals, methods, materials, and assessments) to reduce barriers, as well as optimize levels of challenge and support, to meet the needs of all learners from the start. The UDL Guidelines are organized according to the three main principles of UDL that address representation, expression, and engagement. Learn more about the UDL Guidelines: Three primary principles guide UDL—and provide structure for the Guidelines: To learn more, click on one of the Guidelines below.

UDLStrategies - home