http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/
As mentioned previously, I will be posting about information related to Assistive Technology and UDL to help the reader gain a deep sense of understanding of the UDL concepts and the importance of this practice inside a classroom.
My first official blog involves viewing a UDL Toolkit from a Wiki site (URL above in lime green-check it out!!!!!) that provides educators with a wide variety of resources to help accommodate the needs of different types of diverse learners in the classroom.
LETS BACK UP FOR JUST A MINUTE. Some people might be reading this and wondering what really is UDL and how do you make it work among a classroom of diverse learners??????? Well my friends, UDL stands for Universal Design for Learning. NO person is alike. NO student is alike. Therefore when it comes time to learning, NO student learns the same as well. In order to accommodate this wide range of learners, the UDL method centers around three main concepts: 1.) Representation, 2.) Engagement, and 3.) Expression. UDL creators strongly believe in these three components to help achieve the needs of all students in terms of learning. With the help of assisitive technology (tools that are used to provide assistance to students to accommodate all learners), UDL can be effectively implemented into the curriculum. For those that still might be lost, the Wiki site UDL toolkit gives a breif overview of what UDL is.
Ok now that we know a little more about what UDL really is, I will continue with my blog. The wiki site provides beginning teachers like myself and veteran teachers with many years of experience the opportunity to access a variety of resources to help plan UDL within the classroom. There are an abundance of resources listed underneath each topic such as but not limited too Graphic Organizers, Writing Tools, Math Tools, Research Tools, Collaborative Tools, Study Skills Tools, Multimedia and Digital Storytelling Tools. With such a wide array of resources to pull from, teachers should not feel like they have to "reinvent the wheel" as they say!!!!!!!!!!! I know from personal experience that I'm not a very creative person and have much difficulty coming up with neat, creative and interactive ideas to engage students in the classrooms that I substitute in for all level learners. This website alone provides me with numerous links and websites where I can access information and tools to address the diverse learners in my classrooms. After viewing this site alone, I feel more confident in my ability to accommodate and integrate a few of these concepts into the classroom with respect to the regular classroom teacher.
*CHECK IT OUT*
(Video on the Principles and Guidelines of UDL)
References:
Wikispace classrooms: UDL toolkits. (2013). Retrieved September 23, 2013, from http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com
Shana thanks for sharing the video. It definitely puts things into perspective when we think about how there is no 'average student'. Each child is unique, as is their learning style. As teachers we need to keep in mind how we can reach and differentiate for each student to help them be successful. UDL is a great new tool to help us accomplish this task when our classroom has a such a great variety of students. I have already visited the Wiki Site a few times and I love all of the resources it has that I can pull from to get started with UDL. I can't wait to try out some new things in my classroom this year.
ReplyDeleteShana - I will echo Amanda's "thanks for the video". It is easy to get lost in the links, acronyms, and new vocabulary - so lost that you may forget the faces of the children we are trying assist in the learning process. I liked that you added it to this post because revisiting it made the review of the toolkit purposeful.
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