No individuals are the same and therefore the learning variability exists in every classroom. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a platform for designing flexible instructional environments and proactively integrating supports that address learner variability (Rao & Moe, 2016). Teachers can integrate flexibility to ensure that standards-based lessons are accessible to a range of learners in their classrooms by using the guidelines of the UDL approach. It is very beneficial to remove the learning obstacles and provide equal opportunity to all students.
In my M.ed, I learned different learning theories such as behaviorism, constructivism, connectivism, cognitivism, and the UDL approach in “Learning about Learning” and “curriculum, teaching, and learning”. During that my instructors provided different ways of learning by including technology such as to work on padlet, use WordPress to create blogs, and Kahoot etcetera.
I have chosen Padlet app for my review that is a virtual wall on which the students can post their ideas and thoughts. The use of padlet app can overcome the learning barriers in different ways such as the students with writing impairment can post images, with speech impairment can write. It is a good virtual wall in which the students can also get feedback from each other. As well, the teachers can use it as an assessment tool because they can use it as an exit ticket.
Rao, K., & Meo, G. (2016). Using Universal Design for Learning to Design Standards-Based Lessons. SAGE Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016680688
Hello Harpreet
Thank you for sharing your views on UDL teaching. Yes, as you said, everyone is different. Therefore, how to ensure that the curriculum content, teaching strategies, teaching materials and educational environment can meet the unique needs of each student and adapt to the characteristics of individual differences to ensure that all children having equal access to learning is a challenge that every educator must face and solve. Education needs those who recognize the differences of learners and the diversity of learning styles. It can be said that no two students have the same learning ability or learning style. Through the advancement of modern technology, the theory of universal learning design can be used and practiced more reasonably. Universal Design for Learning requires curriculum design to be tailored to the learners’ respective physiological and cognitive characteristics. As you mentioned, more and more teachers use flexible and diverse teaching methods in the classroom. In the course of teaching, the knowledge points are simultaneously presented in electronic versions, audio, video, pictures, etc., so that all types of learners in the classroom can gain the possibility of learning fairly.
Best,
Sheng Li
Hi Harpreet:
Thank you for your post. I like Padlet a lot as well. Actually, it is one of the first app I used after I came to Canada. Our teacher asked us to post our thoughts on that but no feedback and no grade pressure. I feel comfortable to share my thoughts on that and I know only the teacher and students can see my answers. I can also comment others with videos or pictuers in Padlet which is also convenient and interesting.