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00:01:15.686Welcome to another episode of K-12 Education Untangled.
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00:01:25.239My name is Dr Kim J Fields, former corporate manager turned education researcher and advocate, and I'm the host of this podcast.
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00:01:41.939I got into this space after dealing with some frustrating interactions with school educators and administrators, as well as experiencing the microaggressions that I faced as an African American mom raising my two kids, who were in the public school system.
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00:01:51.121I really wanted to understand how teachers were trained and what the research provided about the challenges of the public education system.
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00:02:01.778Once I gained the information and the insights that I needed, I was then equipped to be able to successfully support my children in their educational progress.
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00:02:08.473This battle-tested experience is what I provide as action steps for you to take.
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00:02:15.896It's like enjoying a bowl of educational research with a sprinkling of mother wisdom on top.
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00:02:32.765If you're looking to find out more about current information and issues in public education that could affect you and your children, and the action steps that you can take to give your children the advantages they need, then you're in the right place.
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00:02:36.832Thanks for tuning in today.
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00:02:48.610I know that staying informed about K-12 public education trends and topics is important to you, so keep listening.
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00:02:58.673Give me 30 minutes and I'll untangle the latest trends, issues and topics pertaining to this constantly evolving K-12 public education environment.
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00:03:09.706In this episode, I'll be discussing what universal design for learning is and how it impacts marginalized students.
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00:03:16.522Does a one-size-fits-all approach to learning work?
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00:03:21.201Should the individual needs of each student be considered?
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00:03:32.158The short answer to question one is that this approach is no longer effective, and the short answer to question two is yes.
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00:03:38.252Differentiated instruction matters For education systems of the future.
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00:03:50.959The ultimate outcome is to provide a learner-centric curriculum that engages students and supports them so that they successfully meet their educational goals.
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00:03:57.713One framework that addresses these outcomes is the universal design for learning.
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00:04:07.006I explore what this framework is about and the growing popularity of implementing it in schools across the country.
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00:04:09.593Let's untangle this.
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00:04:23.437Universal Design for Learning is rooted in the principles of universal design, which originated in architecture to ensure accessibility for everyone.
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00:04:36.759The Universal Design for Learning, or UDL, is a framework that has the potential to enhance inclusive, diverse and equitable practices for teaching and learning.
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00:04:45.822It is a person-centered, strength-based approach that relies on teachers knowing the children in their classrooms quite well.
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00:05:06.387It also emphasizes that all students require high expectations to be set, that barriers to success exist in the system, not in the student that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and that self-reflection leads to expert learners.
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00:05:11.737Personalized learning is a core part of the UDL framework.
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00:05:26.099The Universal Design for Learning framework is designed to support all learners to access their right to inclusive education by designing learning to meet their diverse and variable learning needs.
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00:05:35.536It's an effective framework for all children, including children with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and autism.
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00:05:47.395Udl has positive implications for autistic learners because it's focused on finding ways that work for them, so that the curriculum is equitable and accessible.
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00:05:54.233It's a way to ensure that diversity is embraced in the classroom rather than singling it out.
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00:06:10.849It provides the flexibility that autistic learners need by allowing information to be presented in different ways, and it also allows different ways for autistic children to demonstrate their knowledge and skills and to become engaged in their learning.
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00:06:19.271This reduces barriers to instruction while also maintaining high and realistic expectations for all learners.
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00:06:22.956There are three core principles of UDL.
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00:06:30.185The first principle is multiple means of engagement and it's the why of learning.
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00:06:35.522It deals with the emotional and motivational aspects of what we do and what we learn.
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00:06:43.363The second principle is multiple means of representation and it's the what of learning.
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00:06:53.322This principle is used to help us gather and process information from the environment and to make sense of that information to form effective knowledge.
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00:07:03.145The third principle is multiple means of action and expression, or the how of learning, or the how of learning.
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00:07:12.733This is about how students are able to effectively demonstrate their understanding of concepts and information.
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00:07:19.843English language learners are another population of students who benefit from having universal design for learning in their curricula.
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00:07:28.635English language learners are one of the fastest growing segments of K-12 students in this country.
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00:07:39.442When English language learners don't respond to instruction as quickly as their English-speaking peers, teachers may focus on their deficits and wrongly label them as having a learning disability.
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00:07:57.341But by teaching strategies of self-regulation and individual coping skills, as well as providing guided practice and support to sustain effort, then giving students various ways to achieve the same goals in a safe learning environment.
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00:08:04.802Through the use of UDL, teachers of the English language learners can engage students in their classrooms.
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00:08:08.115Teachers of the English language learners can engage students in their classrooms.
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00:08:14.358Multiple means of engagement is the key UDL principle that needs to be addressed first when dealing with English language learners.
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00:08:28.264The reason behind this is that students must be interested, sustain their effort and develop coping skills and strategies before they can take in knowledge, comprehend it and express what they know.
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00:08:42.985The activities and information necessary to engage students' interests has to be culturally relevant and minimize threats and distractions so that the educator is providing a safe space for students to learn.
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00:08:45.754Providing a safe space for students to learn.
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00:08:50.533Students need choices to practice and assess skills, as well as various options for tools and support.
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00:08:56.760In this way, teachers can increase students' engagement with the academic content.
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00:09:00.938All students have areas of strengths and vulnerabilities.
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00:09:35.504Instead of immediately testing an English language learner to determine if the student is eligible for special education, teachers and support staff can use the UDL of multiple means of engagement in the pre-referral process by providing a safe space to learn, by offering relevant choices that connect to the individual student's strengths and interests, and by looking to the family and community for additional resources to understand and support the students.
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00:09:41.559Universal Design for Learning has a large effect on academic achievement.
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00:09:48.996It helps with improving student attention, interest, cooperation and self-regulation skills.
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00:10:01.144In addition, it helps students retain knowledge through multiple representations of information and knowledge, and it promotes active participation in course lessons.
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00:10:14.793The principles of UDL improve student learning and participation by meeting different student needs and making education more inclusive and effective In providing self-regulation skills for students.
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00:10:28.154Udl requires students to apply the necessary skills to successfully manage themselves and to provide adequate alternatives to support students who have no prior experience.
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00:10:35.232These self-regulation skills involve students taking responsibility for their own learning.
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00:10:49.399The findings from a particular research study recently that came up with these results applied to primary school mathematics and English courses.
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00:10:56.221However, universal Design for Learning can be included in preschool classrooms as well.
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00:11:07.524Did you know that science instruction is vital in early childhood classrooms and that about a quarter of instructional time is spent on science-related tasks?
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00:11:12.040Well, the research provides sufficient examples that support this.
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00:11:20.409It seems that the focus in preschool classrooms is on preschoolers observing the world around them and solving problems.
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00:11:46.903The National Science Teaching Association indicates that teaching young children scientific concepts that include the human body, living and non-living things, the physical attributes of objects and space helps young children learn about the world around them through a variety of formal and informal lessons, especially ones that include experiential learning or learning by doing.
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00:11:54.793The UDL framework helps preschool teachers ensure that their curriculum is aligned with the needs of all learners.
00:11:54.793 -->
00:12:12.798The framework supports learning for various early childhood developmental skills and routines, including circle time, science, technology, engineering and math instruction, as well as gross motor development or physical movement.
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00:12:34.861The first UDL principle multiple means of engagement can include such practical applications in the classroom as including content that aligns with children's interests, the use of learning activities that promote connections and learning, incorporating physical movement in learning and offering choices in learning.
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00:12:59.535The second UDL principle multiple means of representation includes instructional materials such as books that would include fiction and non-fiction books that the teacher reads to the class, experiments like the use of magnets or testing to see if common classroom objects sink or float in water, etc.
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00:13:05.544Puzzles and other manipulative tools and technology.
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00:13:19.144The final UDL principle Multiple Means of Action and Expression involves using various methods to assess children's learning, both formally and informally.
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00:13:38.073In a typical preschool classroom, these assessments might include oral conversations about a concept, paper-based assessments like pictures of the concepts that have been discussed during a science lesson, for example, crafts or art projects, and technology tools.
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00:13:48.389Applying the principles of UDL early in children's lives can produce positive outcomes in the development of the child.
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00:13:59.149Early intervention is built on the premise of understanding that infants and toddlers develop through trusting and caring relationships with adults.
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00:14:18.731Early intervention generally covers children from birth to eight years old and typically applies to children in vulnerable situations that include disability, delayed development, risk of disability, low socioeconomic disadvantage and or child abuse.
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00:14:24.985Udl principles support an inclusive curriculum as part of early intervention.
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00:14:38.768Positive approaches these principles involve adapting a program to meet the individual needs of all children, as opposed to creating a special program for children needing additional support.
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00:15:02.327Universal Design for Learning in Early Childhood Intervention focuses on creating appropriate environments inside the home and outside the home and educational experiences that will unlock the potential for learning and development of children, as well as meet the developmental needs of all children in their educational settings.
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00:15:08.117Children in their educational settings.
00:15:08.117 -->
00:15:13.068Now let's move from preschool to middle school and explore how the principles of UDL apply in a middle school setting.
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00:15:28.850Udl is a framework designed to provide all students, including those with disabilities, as well as culturally and linguistically diverse learners, with access and opportunity to learn the curriculum.
00:15:28.850 -->
00:15:35.247Udl is most effective when it's applied to all aspects of the learning process.
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00:16:07.615The learning process includes class climate, the interactions between students and teachers, as well as between students and students, the classroom setup and physical space, including color scheme, which I discussed in Episode 126, the resources available, the feedback provided, and the frequency and type of assessment and type of assessment.
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00:16:18.986Universal Design for Learning provides teachers with a method to think about all aspects of their planning and teaching so that they can identify where obstacles exist for students and how to remove or minimize those obstacles.
00:16:18.986 -->
00:16:32.370Putting the UDL framework into practice in the classroom improves the knowledge and educational outcomes of diverse populations and benefits historically marginalized groups.
00:16:32.370 -->
00:16:52.721Relevant when teachers integrate students' lives into the lessons, which makes the learning more appropriate to students' developmental stages and abilities, diverse backgrounds and prior knowledge.
00:16:53.535 -->
00:16:58.347The concepts presented in the lesson need to cover a wide range of formats.
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00:17:05.639Feedback and support are a critical piece of instruction and expectation are a critical piece of instruction and expectation.
00:17:05.639 -->
00:17:11.482The outcome of any lesson is for students to demonstrate and express their understanding of a given skill or concept.
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00:17:23.163Using the guidelines provided, a variety of tools can be used to construct and demonstrate a student's understanding as they navigate and respond to information.
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00:17:57.386Udl allows purposeful work with populations that are normally marginalized and at risk.
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00:18:13.518The lesson planning aspect of UDL should be designed to create an environment that addresses the least restrictive environment, is culturally responsive and allows an environment that is beneficial for all students.
00:18:14.540 -->
00:18:17.485Udl is not an accommodation of curriculum.
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00:18:23.426It helps to create curriculum that accommodates all learning styles and abilities.
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00:18:30.402It has application in special education classrooms as well as general education classrooms and beyond.
00:18:30.402 -->
00:18:41.189Udl classrooms strive to provide variability to allow students to achieve their goals with adequate support and challenge.
00:18:41.189 -->
00:18:49.327All students can be expert learners if barriers are removed and opportunities for differentiation are provided.
00:18:49.327 -->
00:19:01.794The Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESA, endorses UDL as a framework to ensure that all students experience success.
00:19:01.794 -->
00:19:17.166The core idea of guiding UDL is to consider barriers in the environment as opposed to assuming deficits within the learner, whether the student is a gifted learner or a student with disabilities.
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00:19:30.798Research indicates that UDL can embrace equity in education by accommodating the variability of learners and empowering them to take ownership of their learning and empowering them to take ownership of their learning.
00:19:30.798 -->
00:19:35.807There are five components that can be identified when UDL is used with equity.
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00:19:40.066One, students are more important than the system.
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00:19:46.548Two, students are more important than a teacher's personal experiences.
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00:19:52.285Three, students are more important than content packaging.
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00:20:00.477Four, educators are willing to help students reach their goals with buy-in and relationships.
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00:20:12.146And five educators will provide instructions that hold students accountable and empowers them to take ownership of their learning.
00:20:12.146 -->
00:20:23.086When students become the focus of looking at education through an equitable lens, this is when real growth and personal learning occurs.
00:20:23.086 -->
00:20:40.179Teachers play a crucial role in fostering learning environments that encourage students to become motivated, purposeful, resourceful and strategic learners, all of which aligns with the objectives of universal design for learning.
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00:21:02.746It is important, however, to recognize that implementing UDL is not an automatic guarantee of equitable practice, but it is a step towards creating a more inclusive classroom by designing learning experiences with all students in mind, thereby working to eliminate inequities.
00:21:05.076 -->
00:21:09.432Universal design for learning also applies to online learning environments.
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00:21:18.597The online environment offers more options for providing accommodations compared to traditional print-based learning contexts.
00:21:18.597 -->
00:21:27.039The online learning environment provides multiple ways to make learning interesting through the use of media and technology tools.
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00:21:44.328These tools can include Google Classroom, canvas, kahoot, google Docs, jamboard, nearpod and Zoom, all of which can be used for a specific learning purpose.
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00:21:51.130A blend of synchronous and asynchronous activities can meet the needs and interests of all students.
00:21:51.130 -->
00:21:55.780There's no single activity that will engage all learners equally.
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00:22:02.739However, by using multiple methods of engagement, the needs of all learners can be met.
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00:22:12.687Digital learning environments make it possible to provide content in a variety of means through different methods of audio, video and text.
00:22:12.687 -->
00:22:26.170The internet, with this multiple ways to use text, video and audio, and it can provide students with different ways to demonstrate their understanding of concepts covered in class.
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00:22:33.810So what does the future of education look like when the universal design for learning is utilized?
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00:22:56.933Educational systems that are learner-centered and flexible enough to meet the needs of all students, including students with disabilities and diverse learning needs to those who are gifted and high performers, would produce technologically adept, information literate, adaptable, expert learners.
00:22:56.933 -->
00:23:06.360The UDL framework provides a stable, evidence-based foundation for this type of educational system to exist.
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00:23:23.737Such a system could exist, but it would have to be based on two premises One, there is no average student and two, information literacy is the bedrock for all students' ability to thrive in the information age.
00:23:23.737 -->
00:24:00.836Variability is the norm rather than the exception, although the education system is designed for that typical average student who attends school daily, does the assigned work at acceptable rates, asks only necessary questions, is supported by engaged parents and generally conforms to established expectations, and students that struggle to conform to the norm are identified as requiring extra services Think students with disabilities or gifted students.
00:24:00.836 -->
00:24:08.058The education system is rife with bias and error, just like every human system.
00:24:08.058 -->
00:24:21.077In this case, though, the biases and errors manifest in decisions about which students need or don't need extra support and why and how these students are served.
00:24:21.766 -->
00:24:27.519The public education system needs to move toward a truly learner-centered education system.
00:24:27.519 -->
00:24:34.815The need for information and technology literate lifelong learners is of utmost importance.
00:24:34.815 -->
00:24:38.121Technology-literate lifelong learners is of utmost importance.
00:24:38.121 -->
00:24:51.949To promote lifelong learning, schools need to equip students with knowledge and skills that enable them to separate good information from bad and to self-regulate, in other words, to direct their behaviors toward goals that support their learning.
00:24:51.949 -->
00:25:00.370Universal design for Learning is a part of what future education systems could look like.
00:25:00.370 -->
00:25:11.515The framework of UDL has been foundational to the design of effective digital, personalized and competency-based learning environments.
00:25:11.515 -->
00:25:19.028It helps learners to engage with and understand content and express their understanding of the content.
00:25:19.028 -->
00:25:30.198Additionally, udl helps each learner understand how they learn, when they need more support and how to evaluate the effectiveness of their learning.
00:25:31.265 -->
00:25:42.641Designing an educational system and learning experiences that are aimed at the quote-unquote average means missing many needs of many students.
00:25:42.641 -->
00:25:53.226However, a system that incorporates the UDL framework should have these four elements present in the UDL learning environment 1.
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00:25:54.652Clear goals.
00:25:54.652 -->
00:25:55.7862.
00:25:55.786 -->
00:25:59.537Proactive plans for learner variability.
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00:26:04.876Three, integration of flexible methods and materials.
00:26:04.876 -->
00:26:08.836And four, timely progress monitoring.
00:26:08.836 -->
00:26:13.697It's important to remember that UDL is not a band-aid for schools.
00:26:13.697 -->
00:26:32.399It should focus on uncovering and overcoming barriers to learning across all systems and subsystems associated in the states, districts and schools that are working toward creating equitable learning environments for all students.
00:26:33.225 -->
00:26:37.437Now let's move from listening to this discussion to applying it.
00:26:37.437 -->
00:26:42.574With that in mind, how does what I've just discussed apply to you?
00:26:42.574 -->
00:26:47.571Here are the action steps you can take regarding this topic.
00:26:47.571 -->
00:27:00.393Understanding what the Universal Design for Learning Framework is about is important, especially when your child's teacher is implementing the principles of UDL in their lessons.
00:27:00.393 -->
00:27:18.168You'd be able to note whether these principles are utilized by your child's teacher when the teacher is allowing various options to demonstrate your child's understanding of concepts for a given assignment, like writing a report, making a presentation, filming a video, etc.
00:27:18.808 -->
00:27:31.719If there are no options that address the diverse learning needs of all students, including yours, then the teacher is utilizing a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and learning.
00:27:31.719 -->
00:27:41.896At home, when completing certain assignments, you can ask your child what methods best demonstrate their understanding of what's required for that assignment.
00:27:41.896 -->
00:27:51.970You can encourage your child's curiosity, creativity and individuality by suggesting different materials to use to convey their understanding.
00:27:51.970 -->
00:28:06.471Whether these materials include technology, music, videos or hands-on activities, these varied formats can cater to your child's learning style and preferences, which keeps them engaged with the content.
00:28:06.471 -->
00:28:16.399The main goal is to develop self-regulation skills in your child that can encourage him or her to become lifelong learners.
00:28:25.086 -->
00:28:39.909Here are this episode's takeaways the Universal Design for Learning, or UDL, is a framework that has the potential to enhance inclusive, diverse and equitable practices for teaching and learning.
00:28:39.909 -->
00:28:48.019It is a person-centered, strength-based approach that relies on teachers knowing their children in their classrooms quite well.
00:28:48.019 -->
00:29:07.062It also emphasizes that all students require high expectations to be set, that barriers to success exist in the system, not in the student, that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and that self-reflection leads to expert learners.
00:29:07.062 -->
00:29:12.437Personalized learning is a core part of the UDL framework.
00:29:12.437 -->
00:29:28.649Udl is applicable in learning environments from preschool through middle school and beyond and can be applied to various learning populations, including children with autism, english language learners and gifted learners.
00:29:28.649 -->
00:29:34.611It can be utilized in the traditional classroom or an online learning environment.
00:29:34.611 -->
00:29:49.276Udl provides teachers with a method to think about all aspects of their planning and teaching so that they can identify where obstacles exist for students and how to remove or minimize those obstacles.
00:29:49.276 -->
00:30:02.678Putting the UDL framework into practice in the classroom improves the knowledge and educational outcomes of diverse populations and benefits historically marginalized groups.
00:30:04.365 -->
00:30:07.384Udl is not an accommodation of the curriculum.
00:30:07.384 -->
00:30:13.218It helps to create curriculum that accommodates all learning styles and abilities.
00:30:13.218 -->
00:30:19.673It has application in special education classrooms as well as general education classrooms.
00:30:19.673 -->
00:30:30.800Udl classrooms strive to provide variability to allow students to achieve their goals with adequate support and challenge.
00:30:30.800 -->
00:30:40.567All students can be expert learners if barriers are removed and opportunities for differentiation are provided.
00:30:40.567 -->
00:30:55.126What are your thoughts about the universal design for learning and its applications in the classroom?
00:30:55.126 -->
00:31:12.519Let me know what you're thinking about this by leaving me a text comment on my podcast website, k12educationuntangledbuzzsproutcom, and remember to share my podcast with anyone that you think you find it valuable.
00:31:12.519 -->
00:31:16.862That includes your friends, family and community.
00:31:16.862 -->
00:31:19.989Thanks for listening today.
00:31:19.989 -->
00:31:26.615I hope you'll come back for more K-12 educational discussions with even more exciting topics to untangle.
00:31:26.615 -->
00:31:32.597Until next time, aim to learn something new every day.
