A Collaborative Process for Incorporating Universal Design for Learning and Evidence-Based Practice into Inclusive Teacher Education Programs

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer Salend ◽  
Catharine Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Inclusive Classrooms ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Collaborative Process ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Lesson Observation

In light of the need to prepare reflective and effective teachers who can differentiate their instruction to support the learning of all students in inclusive classrooms, this article describes the collaborative process faculty have used to incorporate universal design for learning (UDL) and evidence-based practice (EBP) into an inclusive teacher education program’s curriculum and practicum experiences. Initially, faculty mapped the curriculum by agreeing upon a common definition of UDL and EBP, reviewing the research to create EBP documentation charts, which were used to constructing self-assessment tools known as innovation configurations (IC). Faculty used the IC to identify and address the strengths and gaps within the program’s courses and clinical experiences and align courses with online interactive instructional resources related to UDL and EBP. To bridge the gap between research and practice and guide educators in making evidence-informed decisions, faculty developed a 10-step practice-based evidence assessment and instructional model to collect and analyze classroom-based data about the efficacy, acceptability, and fidelity of one’s instructional practices and use of UDL and EBP. Faculty revised and field-tested a lesson plan template that prompted educators to personalize their instruction and make it more explicit by addressing such factors as student diversity and collaboration, and employing UDL, EBP, instructional and assistive technology and formative and summative assessment. Faculty also redesigned the program’s lesson observation form used to better evaluate preservice teachers working in inclusive classrooms and provide them with feedback related to their effective use of EBP, UDL, instructional and assistive technology, and assessment and classroom management strategies. The lesson observation form also was revised to make it more reflective of the program’s curriculum reform efforts related to the use of UDL and EBP, and to align it with the national teacher education accreditation standards, national and statewide teacher evaluation, curriculum and teacher education certification standards.

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.

Examining Fatigue for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Through Universal Design for Learning

2022 ◽  
pp. 302-320
Author(s):  
Natalia K. Rohatyn-Martin ◽  
Denyse V. Hayward
Keyword(s):  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Inclusive Classrooms ◽  
Flexible Approach ◽  
Multilingual Students ◽  
Learning Framework ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
School Day ◽  
Linguistic Backgrounds

In current educational contexts, Deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) students are being educated in inclusive classrooms. However, academic and social outcomes for these bilingual or multilingual students remain highly variable indicating that meeting the needs for students who are D/HH continues to be challenging for many educators. Many D/HH students are reporting high levels of fatigue throughout their school day. To ensure the diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds of students are being met, a more flexible approach needs to be considered to address barriers described by D/HH students. As such, the authors use the Universal Design for Learning framework to discuss fatigue for students who are D/HH in inclusive contexts, particularly those who are bilingual/multilingual.

Meeting the Needs of Exceptional Students

2012 ◽  
pp. 28-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Frey ◽  
E. Ann Knackendoffel
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Exceptional Students ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
K 12

Today’s K-12 classrooms are learning environments that present teachers with the challenge of meeting the diverse needs of learners. Utilizing technology and the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can help teachers to meet the exceptional needs of learners in a variety of areas. This chapter presents ideas and strategies to utilize technology to facilitate the implementation of UDL principles (using multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression in the design of instruction) in teacher education and K-12 classrooms. Each principle of UDL is described, and examples of technology that can support implementation of the principle are shared. The chapter concludes with considerations for teacher education programs including providing modeling of UDL instruction and designing instruction with UDL in mind.

Universal Design for Learning

2020 ◽  
pp. 137-158
Author(s):  
James Cressey
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Instructional Planning ◽  
Elementary Teacher Education ◽  
Culturally Responsive Practices ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Structural Inequities

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. Culturally responsive practices strengthen and complement UDL by framing accessibility as an equity goal and prompting educators to examine ableism, racism, and other structural inequities. 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. Education technology tools are used within UDL to make curriculum materials more accessible and engaging. In this chapter, the UDL framework will be described along with culturally responsive applications within elementary teacher education.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines for Mobile Devices and Technology Integration in Teacher Education

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal Shambaugh ◽  
Kimberly K. Floyd
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Technology Integration ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Flexible Technology ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Teacher Education Faculty

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines provide recommendations for flexible technology integration in teacher education. With the advent of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, how do educators in teacher education programs (teacher education faculty, preservice teachers, public school teachers) use mobile devices within a flexible curriculum that addresses the learning of diverse students? Section one of this chapter describes the legal and administrative context for accessibility, the UDL conceptual framework, technology integration in teacher education, the TPCK model for technology integration, and the use of mobile devices in teacher education. Section two provides recommendations for applying UDL principles to mobile devices in public schools.

Assistive Technology, Universal Design, Universal Design for Learning: Improved Learning Opportunities

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuck Hitchcock ◽  
Skip Stahl
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Education Curriculum ◽  
General Education Curriculum ◽  
Learning Assessments ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Improved Learning

This article addresses the benefits that are likely to derive from shifting focus to developing and implementing a universally designed curriculum. It considers the goals for learning, the learning materials, the instructional methods, and the learning assessments. Benefits are expressed in terms of improved access, participation, and progress in the general education curriculum. Some of the forces that support Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and possible barriers are addressed, as well as appropriate uses of technology within educational learning environments. Assistive Technology (AT), Universal Design (UD) and UDL are briefly defined and pointers to additional resources are included.

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