Universal Design

Universal Design Of Instruction

Sheryl Burgstahler Ph.D, a professor from the University of Washington wrote a piece about the topic of “Inclusive Learning.” She covers the topic of Universal Design of Instruction by providing what is essentially a step by step guide revealing the goals, the process and the implementation of such by touching on the importance of classroom climate, the interaction between students and their teacher, the physical environment and the delivery methods of the curriculum.

Universal Design is all about ensuring equitable, easy access to learning regardless of socioeconomics, demographics, and ability levels physically or mentally and it takes into account the idea that we all truly engage in learning in different ways thus we all don’t learn the same way and facilitating education must take that into account in order for students to thrive. I appreciated the detial she went into under the section, "Communication Hints." She addressed the issue of people with disabilities.It seems as though more and more students are sprouting up with issues that could impair their ability to learn. UDI takes them into account directly. The author states that the concept of UDI can be seen as a goal, process or set of practices. The way I interpret UDI is that in actuality it encompasses all three of those viewpoints in terms of attacking the UDI frameworks.

While this article was a very dry almost step by step article intended to disseminate information on a “how to” level; what I took away from it was more conceptually based. Here is what I took away from the article; 

Diversity is not just a descriptor for a population. It is moreover a reality. Diverse learning abilities, diverse mind sets of students, diverse instructors. 

A GOOD TEACHER must take this diversity into account when setting up a curriculum. Education has shifted from instructor centered to student centered.

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     An EFFECTIVE TEACHER will be able to understand the process of engaging with students from all backgrounds and be able to turn those differences into positives for each student. This falls under the category the author refers to as, “Define the Universe.”

     
     A ENGAGED teacher will be not only be friendly and outgoing during face to face contact but as well through online engagement. He/She will also make the content of the curriculum be relevant in the sense that it allows for personal selfish learning. That phrase is actually my own coined term. By that I mean is that how you present and access the content of the curriculum it should be in a way wherein a student can relate to it on a personal, almost selfish level. They can relate, digest and recall content that they can hold as personally connective and significant.

      
       Following the UDI concept is very reminiscent to guides put forth by Psychologists deemed as “keys to a successful relationship.”

-Accept people for who they are

-communicate effectively

-Interact, be welcoming and be present

-Don’t assume you know, don’t stereotype

-Motivate, Support and Encourage

…….UDI is essentially a goal that says , “Form a successful relationship with each individual student.”

On a micro, less conceptual level the article details how UDI guidelines promote the creation and implementation of curriculum that increases educational access to all students; breaking down barriers. I can see technology in the classroom as being a direct connect to the UDI guidelines. Teachers who have a positive online presence can open up so many doors for students that are not available in Perennial style classrooms. Speaking for myself I have printed out the UDI and I plan on referencing it later and draw focus and inspiration from it when I set up my High School classroom. I will be teaching Social Science and PE. One way I plan on merging technology and the UDI together with Social Sciences is by posting weekly video clips that will connect to each student on a emotional inspiring level and connecting it to historical events or time periods in which I am covering. For example I can see how utilizing the video clip can connect to all backgrounds…because all people can relate to a time when they felt like they wanted to give up. This clip connects to so many historical stories of the building of this country. So utilizing technology, connecting it to curriculum which is UDI driven can essentially take learning to not only an open access level but also it makes learning for each child a very personal engaging experience. 

References:  Burgstahler Ph.D, S. (2012). Equal Access:Universal Design of Instruction. In Do-It. Retrieved October 3, 2014, from http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/equal_access_udi.html