UDL: Universal Design Learning
Making changes to the classroom
So why should I use UDL?
Research shows that learners use three main parts of the brain when learning: Recognition, Strategic and Affective networks. Theses are the areas of the brain which are stimulated when learning.
A simple Idea to Consider in the Classroom
Using the Themes-based learning strategy.
I would like to use the themes-based strategy in my classroom. This idea allows students to choose from a list of topics to independently students in the course with minimal assistance from the instructor. This idea should help with engagement and keep students motivated through the course. Example: World History - six themes (religion, political, economic, trade, social structures, intellectual arts. These would be used as "glue" to tie the 8000-year course study together.
TDS for Secondary Social Studies
I hope to help guide teachers next year as HISD begins the 1:1 initiatives for technology in the classrooms.
Email: jdcoth@gmail.com
Website: www.udlcenter.org
Location: 4001 Hardy Street, Houston, TX
Phone: 713 470 7536
My strategy is under the Affective Network
This is the area of the brain which deals with engagement and invitation, according the the UDL website.
8.1 to 8.4
Using the scale at UDLCenter.org, my strategy should fall into the 8.1 to 8.4 range. This is a engagement strategy that is higher on the cognitive scale.
What would I modify to better serve the UDL design?
I could possibly have students generate the list of topics for the course without my guidance. This would be more true to the idea that students value learning more when when have control over the implementation.
7813