UDL Exemplary Technology Uses
Tech to address Affective, Recognition, & Strategic Networks
UDL and Technology
Universal Design for Learning is an educational framework designed to allow opportunities for all students to learn. The three principles of UDL align with the brain's networks: affective, recognition, and strategic. Technology is key to teachers' abilities to offer multiple means of representation, expression and action, and engagement so that all students become expert learners.
UDL At A Glance
Multiple Means of Engagement: Addressing the Affective Network
Engagement and motivation are necessary for a student's success and deals with the why of learning. By providing multiple means of engagement, teachers can engage all students rather than some. Using a combination of text, audio, video and other visuals, and online resources, students are able to engage with the content in many ways.
Stormboard
Stormboard is an online whiteboard that can be used as a collaboration tool, similar to Padlet. Stormboard can be used to brainstorm ideas as a class, or in groups, allowing shy students an opportunity to participate and share their thoughts without speaking in front of their peers.
Voki
Voki is a website that allows users to create speaking avatars. These avatars can be used to engage students in a fun way when introducing background information on a new topic.
Draw.io
Draw.io is an online diagram tool that saves work in Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, your device, or browser. Draw.io is a great tool to create graphic organizers as a class to activate students' prior knowledge and organize their thoughts.
Multiple Means of Representation: Addressing the Recognition Network
Teachers must present content in different ways to address how different students learn. Multiple means of representation addresses the what of learning and include text, audio, and video. Please click on each icon below to learn more.
PBS Learning Media
PBS Learning Media provides audio, documents, videos, and interactives for the classroom. These resources can be used to make lessons come to life with primary sources.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education is an online resource that provides digital media on a wide range of topics that teachers K-12 can use to present content. One feature of Discovery Education is their weekly Global Stories feature, a video highlighting stories from around the world such as the 50th anniversary of Selma and Mars One.
TeachingBooks.net
TeachingBooks.net brings books and authors to life. Resources such as Meet the Author videos and Meet the Author Book Readings allow teachers to go in depth and explore other aspects of books read in the classroom.
Multiple Means of Action and Expression: Addressing the Strategic Network
Providing multiple means of action and expression allows students to share what they have learned in a way that speaks to them by allowing students to have a choice. This deals with the how of learning. Online activities such as games, discussions, and activities allow for teachers to assess student learning while avoiding traditional tasks and remaining flexible.
Teacher Gaming Network
Teacher Gaming Network allows teachers to create customized games for free. This website can be used by teachers to insert their own questions that students then answer. This can be used as a fun formative assessment or a way to review topics before a summative assessment.
Digital Passport
Digital Passport is a website created by Common Sense Media that teaches students grades 3-5 about online safety and netiquette through online games and videos. Students are given the opportunity to create a mashup of different music and photographs while practicing on giving credit to others. Digital Passport also provides teachers with reports to track student progress.
Sumdog
Sumdog is an online tool for teachers to track student learning in math, reading, and writing (math is the only subject available for free). Teachers are able to assign activities, challenges, problems, and multiplayer games while being updated with student reports.
Blabberize
Blabberize is a website that creates talking pictures by uploading a picture and recording your voice over it. This is an easy to use tool that students can use after reading a book to share the central theme.
My StoryMaker
My StoryMaker, provided by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, allows young users to create storybooks as audio guides them through the process. Users choose elements of the story such as theme, characters, and setting which provides a wonderful review and can be used as a final project.