A Better Understanding of UDL

This post is to assist others, like myself, who have a lot to learn about the importance of implementing Universal Design for Learning in the classroom.  Being a teacher is a rewarding career, but it also, has many challenges.  Teachers are given a curriculum to teach to students of varying backgrounds and abilities.  The curriculum is definitely not a “One Size Fits All.”  Some students may have learning disabilities or be gifted, while others can have speech, language, emotional, or behavioral difficulties.  The first thing to remember as a teacher is not all students learn the same way.  One technique that may work for one student, may not work for another.  Teachers need to know how their individual students learn, and they need to minimize the barriers so that the students can reach their highest levels of achievement. 

The CAST website http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ is an excellent resource that offers multimedia books, videos, activities, and case studies that explain Universal Design for Learning in detail.  It offers strategies and techniques for teaching diverse learners, and it emphasizes the need for teachers to customize learning using flexible tools, teaching methods, and assessments.  I now have a better understanding of what UDL is and the benefits that it has on learning.  Also, I found the interactive activities useful in showing me how the brain works differently for all learners, even myself. 

Video about UDL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELw7XzMoW8M