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Learning is Universal
Lessons for All Reasons and Seasons
by Carol Seibert
This month, let's review the meaning of "Universal Design for Learning" and some of the FREE UDL lessons designed in 2007 to help you:
UDL is truly a strategy "for all seasons and reasons". We hope these lessons and our informative articles will become valuable tools in helping you meet the diverse—and ever-changing—instructional needs in YOUR classroom. Please share them with your colleagues—they'll appreciate it and so do we!
Out with the old, in with the new...
They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987), The Philosophy of Andy Warhol
There is something about the closing of an “old” year and the opening of a new one that puts me in the mood to take stock of where I’ve been, which leads me to consider where I want to be a year from now. When I've had a good year, it is tempting to think, “I can take it easier next year,” but my conscience chimes in loudly, "Don’t even THINK about it—there's work to be done!”
Fortunately, complacency doesn’t come naturally to me… particularly when it comes to meeting the rapidly-changing needs of the diverse learners whom I serve. I am compelled to keep learning and searching for better ways to meet the needs of today’s learners.
What does the future hold for your students?
They face a future in which being a successful and effective member of adult society will require less “book knowledge” and a considerably greater ability to gather, analyze and meaningfully apply an unbelievable amount of information. We can only imagine the demands today’s first graders will face when they enter the workforce, but we DO know that our primary task as educators is to equip our students to become effective, life-long learners.
What the Experts Say
In his book Avatars of the Word, James Joseph O’Donnell speculates on what the real roles of educators will be in an information-rich world:
"[It
will be] to advise, guide, and encourage students wading through the
deep waters of the information flood. [Educators] will thrive as
mentors, tutors, backseat drivers, and coaches. They will use the best
skill they have… to nudge, push, and sometimes pull students through
the educationally crucial tasks of processing information: analysis,
problem solving, and synthesis of ideas. These are the heart of
education, and these are the activities on which our time can best be
spent." (O’Donnell, 1998, p. 156).
We're committed to supporting YOU as you guide your struggling learners to a SUCCESSFUL future.
Here’s how Don Johnston can help:
Take a moment now to review, download and use these incredible articles, UDL lessons and resources designed to:
- Model universally-designed instruction using a specific content-area topic
- Provide you with a lesson structure that can be easily and quickly adapted and applied to any area of your curriculum
*Building Wings: Tools that Guide Students Toward Self-Advocacy
The story of Don Johnston’s personal experiences as a struggling learner inform and inspire students and teachers alike. Universally-designed text, audio and resources give struggling learners the knowledge and tools they need to become their own best advocates.
*Summer Reading Under the Blankets and Around the Campfire
Encourage volume reading, model and practice fluent reading and increase student success with this universally-designed lesson. Includes full texts of our re-told versions of The Telltale Heart and The Gold Bug short stories from our Start-to-Finish® Library series and complete professionally-narrated audio files to support the printed text!
*The Tuskegee Airmen, Building Wings and Learning to Fly as Readers
Learners begin to experience learning in a more personal and meaningful way as they use a variety of resources to read, hear, discuss, research and express what they’ve learned about one man’s life. Text and audio support this motivating and confidence-building lesson to give struggling learners the wings they need to fly as readers.
*Traveling the RtI Path with Lewis and Clark
Universal Design for Learning meets (and supports) Response to Intervention in general and special education classrooms on this journey with Lewis and Clark. Supporting resources include differentiated text, a vocabulary strategy sheet, comprehension quizzes and links to free SOLO templates and Co:Writer Topic Dictionaries.
*Two Thumbs Up! Academic Award for Best Use of Literacy
Create a classroom experience for ALL of your diverse learners using video, audio and printed text in this “revolutionary” lesson designed to introduce and engage students in learning about the American Revolution.
*Writing Next: A Call to Action
Increase learners’ writing proficiency with this sample UDL lesson from Don Johnston’s SOLO Writing Coach. Includes a SOLO Assignment file for download and use on computers with the SOLO Literacy Suite installed as well as off-computer lesson materials that you can print and use in your classroom, even if you don’t own SOLO.
Not sure exactly what Universal Design for Learning is all about?
Check out the following articles, and be sure to follow the links to other important UDL-oriented websites to learn more.
Success for All Learners, Part I: Universal Design for Learning
Success for All Learners, Part II: Multiple Means of Representation
Success for All Learners, Part III: Multiple Means of Expression
Success for All Learners, Part IV: Multiple Means of Engagement
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