After reviewing the CAST website on "Teaching Every Student", I've had more of an opportunity to delve deeper into the true meaning behind the UDL concepts. The activities allowed me to think about (visually) how the brain works cognitively into the three main networks. In this, as a teacher, I can put myself in the shoes of my students and be able to see from their point of view of how they process information. There is not right or wrong answer. Your background and experiences as a learner and person help to define how you'll view and interpret different information.
This website, an extensive of the website on the previous blog, allows the viewer to check out case studies and activities all relating to UDL. These activities allow you as the viewer to put in your own input, and ultimately see how the brain works. The case studies allow the viewer to get a sense of some of the challenges out there that teachers face in various subjects and how they can incorporate UDL concepts to help alleviate some of the problems so they can reach a diverse population among their classroom. In addition to these neat and creative activites that the viewer can partake in, the website also provides some basic information for the UDL rookie, like myself, who may not know yet what UDL means or entails. Links to featured tools that can help you create lessons and books that are UDL based are provided. You can view the UDL curriculum to see if your lessons match up and have all the components to truly meet the needs of each of your students. Some training videos to how UDL works are also provided. For any teacher looking for sample lessons to get a feel for how they can match up, the website concludes with some samples from each of the three grade levels: Elementary, Middle, and High School. Take a look and see for yourself!!!!!!!!!References:
Center for Applied Technology: Teaching Every Student. (2013). Welcome to Teaching Every Student. Retrieved September 23, 2013, from htpp://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent
I love the fact that you mentioned your background and environment as a learner. I think as an educator so few of us keep that in mind anymore. The fact that you said you are new at UDL gives everyone a level playing field for relating to the subject. Thanks for adding the chart for us "visual learners".
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