Rhonda Fuelberth: Universal Design for Learning

Summary

Rhonda Fuelberth discusses universal design for learning (UDL) in music education, emphasizing its origin in architecture and its goal to create inclusive environments. UDL principles aim to provide multiple learning options, benefiting all students through flexible presentation, expression, and engagement methods. The application of UDL in classrooms involves digital tools like Noteflight, promoting accessibility and motivation in learning. The talk encourages educators to consider UDL in their teaching practices to reach a broader range of learners.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker, Rhonda Fuelberth, is an associate professor of music education at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, focusing on universal design for learning (UDL).
• 🏫 UDL aims to create a classroom environment where equity is the norm, students are treated as individuals, and everyone has access to high-quality music and arts instruction.
• 🔍 UDL originated in architecture, promoting inclusive environments that accommodate the potential abilities of all people, regardless of age or disability.
• 🛠 The application of UDL in education involves proactive principles and strategies to create inclusive classrooms and accessible course materials.
• 📈 UDL asserts that increasing learning options benefits all students, representing a shift from individual accommodations to inclusive teaching for the entire class.
• 🧠 UDL is based on the science of neural networks, focusing on recognition, strategic, and affective networks to enhance learning.
• 📝 UDL includes three core principles: multiple methods of presentation, expression, and engagement, each with accompanying guidelines and strategies.
• 🎼 Principle 1 emphasizes varying modes of presentation, including the use of digital materials and multisensory activities to support recognition learning.
• 🎤 Principle 2 focuses on providing multiple methods of expression, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding through various musical activities and continuous assessment.
• 💡 Principle 3 aims to ensure meaningful engagement by offering choices in content, challenge levels, rewards, and learning context to motivate students.
• 🌐 Digital tools like Noteflight are highlighted for their ability to manipulate musical materials, support color-coded notation, and provide real-time interaction for students.
• 🔑 The conclusion suggests that embracing UDL reduces the need for additional accommodations, as it inherently considers diverse learner needs and promotes problem-solving strategies for inclusive education.

Q & A

What is the speaker's professional background?

The speaker, Rhonda Fuelberth, is an associative professor of music education at Glenn Korff School of Music, University of Nebraska Lincoln.

What is the main topic of discussion in the script?

The main topic is universal design for learning (UDL) and its implications for music education classrooms.

What does Franklin Covey suggest in 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' regarding planning?

Franklin Covey suggests beginning with the end in mind, which means planning with the desired outcome in view.

What is the goal of an ideal classroom according to the speaker?

The goal is to create a classroom where equity is common, students are treated as people not labels, all students have access to high-quality music and arts instruction, and everyone feels valued and recognized for their strengths.

What is the origin of universal design?

Universal design originated from the architectural world, influenced by the civil rights and disabilities rights movements in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

How does universal design aim to make everyday tasks more accessible?

Universal design aims to make everyday tasks more accessible by creating an inclusive environment that considers the potential ability of all people through the design of products and environments that everyone can use, regardless of age, physical condition, or degree of disability.

What is the core assertion of universal design for learning in education?

The core assertion is that when instructors increase the number of learning options available to students, everyone benefits, representing a paradigm shift in accessibility in education.

What are the three principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?

The three principles of UDL are: 1) Provide multiple, flexible methods of presentation to support recognition learning, 2) Provide multiple, flexible methods of expression and apprenticeship to support strategic learning, and 3) Provide multiple, flexible options for engagement to support affective learning.

How can digital materials enhance the application of UDL in music education?

Digital materials can enhance UDL by allowing for multilevel and multisensory activities, manipulation of musical materials in real time, and the use of color-coded notation to aid in the interpretation and learning of music.

What is the significance of pre-teaching in the context of UDL?

Pre-teaching is significant because it provides students with exposure to musical materials before they encounter them in the classroom, which can make the difference between having a meaningful experience and not.

How does the use of Noteflight as a digital tool support UDL in music education?

Noteflight supports UDL by allowing students to interact with musical materials, manipulate them in real time, isolate specific musical lines, adjust tempo without changing pitch, and use color-coded notation to reinforce learning.

What is the speaker's final advice for educators considering the application of UDL?

The speaker advises educators to consider how UDL can be used in their daily experiences as college students and to envision how it can help them reach more learners more of the time.