Curriculum Barriers with David

The Curriculum Barrier Tutorial enables us to utilize all that we have learned about UDL. Here is my own template. Try your own using the site below.

Curriculum Elements          

6^th Grade Geography 

Materials: textbooks, worksheets and videos

Curriculum presentation: lecture, discussion group activities and projects

Assessments:  Test, quizzes and group projects

Student Characteristics

David is diagnosed with non-verbal autism, although he is able to read on a third grade level. 

David has neat handwriting and able to take notes when they are displayed via power point or smart board. He will even raise his hand saying “stop” or “wait” if he misses notes.

He enjoys working in groups. His classmates will usually prompt him to “draw or color letters”.

He is not afraid to speak in front of class and will present when words are prompted one at a time.

Barrier in Learning Environment

He has difficulty comprehending material presented.

When given an assignment like a worksheet, he needs intense prompting to answer questions.

Inability to answer questions because of non-verbal diagnosis.

Barrier Solutions

There are various modes of assistive technology I would use to break down the barriers faced by this student.  They are:  Ipad for speaking, smart board for interactive responses and   presentation  of class notes with blanks for him to fill in some of the notes. Using assistive Technology within the UDL framework will create a successful learning environment for students.

 

Check out this web site for an engaging Curriculum Barriers Tutorial http:/www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/curriculumbarrierstutorial.cfm

VOKI

 Voki is a unique way of presenting information to students.  It is like an Avatar.  Students can develop their own characters, type words into the word box, and listen to their Voki speak.  It is a really cool use of assistive technology!!!




http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=10312814&height=267&width=200





Resource: Voki.com

Accommodating Diversity

       The Universal Design for Learning mirrors the Universal Design movement in architecture and product development(hhtp://cast.org/teachingeverystudent). Adjustment in curbs, close captions on television and speaker phones are just a few.  These same adjustments must be made in the classroom in order to accommodate diversity and high academic standards.
       UDL is a philosophy where teachers rethink student goals, materials, methods and assessments((hhtp://cast.org/teachingeverystudent) in order to accommodate this diversity.  It is no longer “one size fits all" learning  environment. It is basically "customized" learning, as the educator focuses on the what, how and why of each student's learning style.
       Within each classroom, there are students that are struggling readers, have limited English, have IEP's and a host of other situations which requires that  a teacher must be creative.  The use of technology is an effective way to reach each of these learning groups through the UDL framework.

 

Clarification of UDL

       CAST is a non-profit research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals using the Universal Design for Learning framework (hhtp://www.cast.org/udl/index.html). This organization allows educators and parents to familiarize themselves with how individuals learn therefore, permitting effective advocacy for students.

       Each person brings with him his own skills, interests, and needs that effect how he/she learns. UDL allows educators to understand the networks of the brain in order to design a more effective classroom.   

    The three networks are as follows:

-  Recognition Network or the "what" of learning.  This is how we gather facts, visually, auditory, language understanding and background knowledge just, to name a few.

- Strategic Network is the "how" of learning. This is the way we organize tasks and express ideas, like writing an essay.

-Affective Network is the “why” of learning in UDL.  This is how the learner is challenged or motivated.

  This post should help to further clarify the Universal Design for Learning.  I am excited about implementing these checkpoints into my classroom.

 

            

What is Universal Design for Learning?

 The UDL is the framework upon which the lessons of educators are based.  There are three principles to this design.  They are representation, engagement, and expression.  Representation is the way the material is presented to the students for example a video clip, electronic textbook or lecture. With engagement, the goal is to motivate each student in his/her own style. The third principle, expression, seeks to reach the student in a learning style that best suits him. The design provides educators with guidelines as they set out to create a classroom environment that recognizes the needs of each student. As we

continue through each day of the blog my goal is to educate the reader on UDL.












Resource:  http://udltechtoolkit.wkispaces.com