Universal Design for Learning (Part 5): Action and Expression Strategies

Summary

This video introduces Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework that helps educators reduce barriers and increase student success through engagement, representation, and action and expression. It focuses on providing multiple ways for students to demonstrate their understanding and develop course skills, using low-tech or no-tech strategies. The video highlights diverse teaching strategies, such as varying writing tasks, offering pre-recorded presentations, and incorporating checklists for note-taking. It also addresses ways to accommodate different learner needs, such as supporting students with anxiety or auditory impairments, and encourages the use of online tools for more inclusive learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 UDL (Universal Design for Learning) helps reduce classroom barriers and increases student success opportunities.
• 😀 UDL is implemented through three guidelines: engagement, representation, and action and expression.
• 😀 Offering multiple means of action and expression allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in diverse ways.
• 😀 UDL adoption can include no-tech, low-tech, or high-tech strategies, with many educators using free or low-cost tools.
• 😀 Not all strategies will work in every course, so it's important to choose those that align with your goals and comfort level.
• 😀 Varying writing assignments by length, purpose, and audience helps students understand writing's relevance in different contexts.
• 😀 Students can pre-record presentations to refine their work before engaging in in-class discussions or responding to questions.
• 😀 Providing lecture outlines or checklists for note-taking helps students develop their note-taking skills and improves retention.
• 😀 Offering real-life and academic examples of problem-solving helps students apply course knowledge to real-world scenarios.
• 😀 Class formats allowing for one-on-one, small group, or whole-class interactions support diverse expression and communication methods.
• 😀 Targeting specific learner groups (e.g., students with anxiety or auditory impairments) by using tailored strategies can improve their ability to demonstrate knowledge.

Q & A

What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a design framework that instructors can use to reduce barriers students face in the classroom and increase their access to opportunities to succeed.

What are the three key guidelines of UDL?

The three key guidelines of UDL are engagement, representation, and action and expression.

How can instructors use UDL to help students express their understanding of course content?

Instructors can integrate multiple means of action and expression, giving learners diverse ways to express how they understand course content and develop course skills.

What types of technology do UDL adopters often use to facilitate learning?

UDL adopters often use free and low-cost technology tools due to their powerful learning possibilities.

What is the role of writing in UDL implementation for a writing-intensive course?

In a writing-intensive course, writing is a key component. Instructors can vary the length, purpose, and intended audience of writing assignments to help students understand how writing is relevant to both their discipline and personal or professional lives.

What strategies can instructors use to support students with note-taking skills?

Instructors can provide lecture outlines in advance or after class, and give students progressively less-structured note guides to help them build their note-taking abilities.

How can instructors help students see the real-world relevance of course content?

Instructors can build time at the beginning or end of class sessions to discuss how the subject area knowledge can be applied to real-world problems, or pose authentic situations for students to respond to.

What are some ways to accommodate students with different expression needs in the classroom?

Instructors can consider allowing students to communicate their knowledge in different formats, such as through individual meetings, small group sessions, or whole-class formats, facilitated both on-campus or via synchronous online sessions.

How can instructors use online tools to support students with auditory impairments or introverted learners?

Online discussion tools can supplement or replace face-to-face discussions, allowing students with auditory impairments, non-traditional students, or introverted learners to more effectively share their thoughts and ideas.

What are some specific strategies for students with anxiety or international students?

Instructors can prompt students to stop and think about key concepts or show and explain their understandings, which can help students with anxiety, international students, or introverted learners in demonstrating their knowledge.