scholarly journals Teaching for Diversity with UDL: Analysing Teacher Competence

2021 ◽  
pp. 241-277
Author(s):  
Suvi Lakkala ◽  
Outi Kyrö-Ämmälä
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
Teacher Competence ◽  
Teacher Skills ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Heterogeneous Classes

AbstractThis chapter is a description of collaborative action research on teacher competence in the context of inclusive education and universal design for learning (UDL). Our goal was to analyse what kinds of professional competencies teachers need when they are implementing UDL in heterogeneous classes. The action research was carried out as a case study together with two co-teachers and a class teacher, who implemented UDL in their heterogeneous classes. As a theoretical framework for teacher competence, we used the multidimensional adapted process (MAP) model of teaching, developed by Finnish researchers and teacher educators. We identified several teacher skills that are needed when the UDL approach is applied. According to our results, the most overarching necessary competence was the teachers’ cognitive skills. Applying UDL required the ability to flexibly transform one’s own teaching and learning situations. Furthermore, the teachers’ social skills appeared as an important attribute as their pupils were highly heterogeneous with diverse needs, and the teachers needed to collaborate with many other professionals and parents. Also, each teacher’s personal orientation, such as values, beliefs and ethics, played a crucial role in UDL while the teachers shared a common set of values, striving towards inclusive education.

scholarly journals Transformations of the Teaching–Learning Process Towards Inclusive Education as a Result of the UDL Approach Implementation

2021 ◽  
pp. 95-118
Author(s):  
Jolanta Baran ◽  
Tamara Cierpiałowska ◽  
Ewa Dyduch
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Teaching Learning

AbstractThis chapter discusses the assumptions, implementation and deliverables of an action research project in a selected Polish class of integrated form. The main objective of the project was to trigger changes in the learning–teaching process based on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach and thus promote inclusive education. The action research lasted one school semester. The empirical data, mainly qualitative, triangulating various sources of information and synthesising perspectives, were used to identify specific topics and threads identified in the gathered inputs, to present it in an orchestrated manner and to interpret it. It has been indicated that UDL approach implementation has a positive impact on the course of the teaching–learning process and optimises it to enhance the activity, commitment, self-reliance and responsibility of students and develops their cooperation, which breeds inclusion in education. Meanwhile, it stimulates teachers to change their mindset with a view to the essence of success in education and supports their daily practice.

Toward More Inclusive Education: An Empirical Test of the Universal Design for Learning Conceptual Model Among Preservice Teachers

2020 ◽  
pp. 002248712096552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlia Griful-Freixenet ◽  
Katrien Struyven ◽  
Wendelien Vantieghem
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Empirical Test ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
Educational Environments ◽  
Design For Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) holds considerable promise to create inclusive educational environments. Nevertheless, the most recent theoretical UDL model, which includes both teachers’ philosophy and praxis of teaching, has never been tested empirically. Therefore, this study aims to validate the UDL model as a “whole” among preservice teachers. Results show that the three philosophical constructs of UDL predict the performance of preservice teachers’ practices associated with UDL. These constructs are growth mindset about learning, self-efficacy to implement inclusion, and self-regulation and motivation for teaching. Results also show that preservice teachers think and reason about UDL not as three separate principles (i.e., engagement, representation, action, and expression) but in an interrelated way as the analysis shows them to be a unidimensional factor. Finally, this article discusses the implications of a validated model on UDL for teacher-educators, practitioners, and researchers.

Fostering Student Engagement Through Showing Empathy and Caring in an Online College Course

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Sherri L. Horner ◽  
Mariana Mereoiu ◽  
Alicia A. Mrachko
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
College Course ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Support Students ◽  
Undergraduate Teacher Education

This chapter describes a collaborative action research project in which one post-secondary instructor used the experiences in her undergraduate teacher education course to learn how to best support students and peers in a health crisis and social justice uncertainty climate. The authors used empathy and care theories and universal design for learning (UDL) to plan, implement, and reflect on ways to empathize and show care for students in a course that was online due to COVID-19. Using the action research processes, the authors found five themes related to using UDL practices and showing empathy and caring. They conclude with recommendations for other instructors interested in supporting their students in online classes and in times of crisis.

scholarly journals Theoretical and Methodological Validation of the Action Research: Methodology of the Scientific Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
Ona Monkevičienė ◽  
Alvyra Galkienė
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Scientific Study ◽  
Research Teams ◽  
Design For Learning

AbstractThis chapter presents the theoretical and methodological substantiation of the action research, which was used by collaborating research teams from Poland, Lithuania, Finland and Austria for the study “Improving Inclusive Education Through Universal Design for Learning”. The chapter discusses different sociocultural contexts in the participating countries and what led to the research question, which asks “How does the implementation of universal design for learning enrich the practice of inclusive education in different educational contexts”. This question was looked at in terms of its relevance to the four above-mentioned countries. It can be argued that the action research is favourable for the development of theory and that inclusive education can be changed and reflected by it. The types of action research chosen by the research teams are discussed, those being collaborative, and critical participatory. The cycles of action research and their goals are also presented. Seeking to substantiate the choices of research teams regarding the process and methods of action research, this chapter elaborates on the aspects of action research organisation that are interpreted differently by the researchers: Can the action research be conducted only by the researcher–teachers or can it be carried out by teachers in cooperation with researchers? Is it possible to use a combination of qualitative and quantitative research? The problem with quality and validity of action research is discussed.

scholarly journals The developing role of occupational therapists in school-based practice: Experiences from collaborative action research in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-386
Author(s):  
Debbie Kramer-Roy ◽  
Denise Hashim ◽  
Nighat Tahir ◽  
Areeba Khan ◽  
Asma Khalid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
School Level ◽  
Collaborative Action ◽  
School Based

Introduction Occupational therapists around the world increasingly seek to support the participation of children with disabilities and special educational needs in mainstream education. Contemporary school-based occupational therapy practice is progressing from an individual, impairment focus towards collaborative, universal interventions at the whole class and whole school level. Participation-focused practice and collaboration is particularly important, but uncommon, in low-resource contexts such as Pakistan. Methods This article reports on collaborative action research that developed the role of occupational therapy in inclusive education in Karachi, Pakistan. A research team consisting of occupational therapists and teachers worked with five local primary schools, using the action research cycles of plan–implement–observe–reflect to develop practical strategies, materials and inclusive lesson plans to facilitate the participation of all children in all school-based occupations. Findings Support from school management and interdisciplinary collaboration were crucial for implementing change. In addition, strategies like inclusive lesson planning were found to benefit all children in class. Collaborative action research led to increased professional confidence in the teachers and occupational therapists, and skill development through developing a resource guide, running workshops and presenting at (inter)national conferences. Conclusion Collaborative action research was an effective means to develop the occupational therapy role in inclusive education practices in Pakistan, develop culturally appropriate educational resources, and upskill local therapists and teachers.

scholarly journals VALUES SUPPORTING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN DIFFERENT PRACTICES

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 192-202
Author(s):  
Alvyra Galkiene
Keyword(s):  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Educational Practices ◽  
Scholarly Literature ◽  
The Real ◽  
Real Existence ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Fundamental Values

This article analyses how fundamental values underpin educational practices that have emerged in the development of society and create the preconditions for the sustainability of inclusive education. Through the analysis of the scholarly literature, the expression of inclusive values in the application of approaches to integrated, individualised inclusive education and Universal Design for Learning is analysed. It has been established that the effectiveness of inclusive education is substantiated in practices which are based on real existing inclusive values: equity, equality, communality and respect for diversity. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that the sustainability of inclusive education coincides with the real existence of inclusive values in practice, equally applying to all students.

scholarly journals Reimagining Disability and Inclusive Education Through Universal Design for Learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Doolittle Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
White Male ◽  
Instructional Materials ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Regular Classroom ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Design For Learning

In 1975, Congress enacted a law eventually known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which ensures that children with disabilities receive a free, appropriate, public education. Since then, scholarly and popular debates about the effectiveness of inclusive education have proliferated and typically focus on the ability or inability of students with disabilities to succeed in so-called regular classrooms. These debates reflect widespread assumptions that the regular classroom is rightly the province of nondisabled students and a neutral, value-free space that students with disabilities invade and disrupt via their very presence and their costly needs for adaptation. But as many scholars in the field of Disability Studies in Education (DSE) have argued, these discussions often fail to recognize that the space of the regular classroom, far from neutral, is constructed for a nondisabled, neurotypical, white, male, middle-class "norm" that neither reflects nor accommodates the wide range of diverse learners within it, regardless of whether these learners have been diagnosed with a disability. A DSE perspective sees the educational environment, not students with disabilities, as the "problem" and calls for a Universal Design for Learning approach to education, or the design of instructional materials and activities that allows the learning goals to be achievable by individuals with wide differences in their abilities and backgrounds. Agreeing with this DSE perspective, this article uses an autoethnographic approach to reexamine inclusive education and to consider how university classrooms, pedagogy, and curricular materials can be improved in order to accommodate all students, not just those with disabilities. Ultimately, the article argues that Universal Design for Learning has the potential to radically transform the meaning of inclusive education and the very concept of disability.

Universal Design for Learning

2017 ◽  
pp. 38-59
Author(s):  
James Cressey
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
State Standards ◽  
Curriculum Materials ◽  
Instructional Planning ◽  
Elementary Teacher Education ◽  
Unique Position ◽  
Design For Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for curriculum and instructional planning through which educators can maximize accessibility and minimize barriers that are often experienced by learners. Teacher educators are in a unique position to introduce UDL to future elementary teachers and support them in developing inclusive pedagogical methods early on in their careers. While Common Core State Standards can guide educators in what to teach, UDL provides a framework for how to teach. Education technology tools are used extensively within UDL to make curriculum materials more accessible and engaging. In this chapter, the UDL framework will be described along with many specific applications within elementary teacher education.

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