UDL in the Classroom
Immersion Experience
Dr. Katie Novak
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Human Resources
Author of UDL Now!
Who am I?
The Dinner Party
Imagine you own a catering
company. Create a fabulous tasting
menu that will make my party a huge
success. What resources will you
need? Be sure to highlight your
strengths as a chef!
Oops...forgot to tell you...
• Lucy is lactose intolerant.
• Nathaniel has a nut allergy.
• Greg is on a gluten free diet.
• Victoria is a vegetarian.
• Wanda is on Weight Watchers.
What is the goal of education?
• Not simply the mastery of knowledge
• It is the mastery of learning
• Education should help turn novice
learners into expert learners
• Develop individuals who know how
to learn (provide coping strategies),
who want to learn (engagement and
choice), and who, in their own highly
individual ways, are well prepared for
a lifetime of learning.
Jean Anyon
& Hidden Curriculum
“Hidden work perpetuates
the maintenance of the status
quo.” (to download full
article, click here)
-Jean Anyon
Discussion/reflection: What
does this mean for UDL?
How to Meet the Standards
UDL is included in the section of the Common Core Standards called “application to
students with disabilities”. However, UDL not only applies to students with
disabilities, it applies to all other learners as well. All students can benefit from the
types of instruction used to reach learners “in the margins,” as the learning needs of
all individuals vary a great deal.
Two Types of Standards
Content standards define the
knowledge, and concepts that students
should acquire.
•Explain the meaning of the stars and stripes in
the American flag, and describe official
procedures for the care and display of the flag
(Grade 4, Geography 3.2).
Performance standards outline specific
skills students will have to complete.
The KEY to their success is following
steps to a process.
Use map and globe skills to determine absolute
locations (latitude and longitude) of places
studied (Grade 3 North America Geography, 1).
Review Traditional Lesson: The
Guilt Sets In
Reminder: Content Standards
Students have:
1. Options for how they learn
2. Choices which will engage their
interest and challenge them
3. Choices for how they demonstrate
their learning
Teachers provide:
1. Flexible ways of presenting lesson
content
2. Flexible options for student
engagement
3. Flexible methods of expression and
assessment
Reminder: Methods Standards
Students have:
1. to complete a task in a specific
way
Teachers provide:
1. Flexible ways of presenting
lesson content
2. Scaffolding and work samples
for each step of the process
3. Graphic organizers, rubrics, and
opportunities to provide mastery
oriented feedback.
How are standards different?
– Identify one “content standard”
for your
spouse/parent/child/friend. Be
sure methods are not embedded.
Knowledge – not action.
ex: My husband will know ways
to have dinner on the table when
I get home from a long day.
– Then, identify one “methods
standard”.
ex: My husband will cook three
times a week, preparing meals
less than 550 calories that
represent the new food plate
guidelines.
Now, let’s role play!
Review of UDL
Speed Dating Protocol
1. Find a “date”
1. You will have four 2-minute dates to reflect on the first session
and reflect on UDL
1.
•
•
•
•
First 20 seconds, answer one of the following questions:
What’s your favorite place in the entire world?
Favorite movie of all time? Why so?
What is your favorite way to spend a Saturday?
Do you have any pet peeves? What are they?
Design a methods goal. What specifically does Lance have to do (be very specific) to get his
dream match? (think a checklist!)
IMMERSION EXPERIENCE
Content standard: Give examples of nominalization
and how to avoid it.
Method standard: Write an intro of a cover letter for
your dream job. Avoid nominalization.
•
•
•
•
•
Dog Food Tester
Jelly Doughnut Filler
Golf Ball Diver
Citrus Fruit Colorer
Educator
Writing a Cover Letter
(the intro)
• Step 1: Draft your ideas – communicate what position you’re
interested in, and briefly indicate why you’d be a perfect
candidate
• Step 2: Revise to avoid nominalization
• Step 3: Edit – peer review and proofread.
Exemplar (Step 1): Given my admiration for ponies and my
lifelong love for the art of massage, I felt excitement when it
came to my attention that you had availability to begin the hiring
process for a Mare Masseuse at the Holistic Horse Hotel. I
believe my qualifications, education, and experience make me a
perfect candidate. Please allow the following communication to
serve as a demonstration of my interest in the position.
Nominalization
Content standard: Give examples of nominalization and how to
avoid it.
Method standard: Write an intro of a cover letter for your dream
job. Avoid nominalization.
Avoid Nominalization
Step 2: REVISE to avoid nominalization
Exemplar: Given my admiration for ponies and my lifelong love
of the art of massage, I felt excitement when it came to my
attention that you had availability to begin the hiring process for a
Mare Masseuse at the Holistic Horse Hotel. I believe my
qualifications, education, and experience make me a perfect
candidate. Please allow the following communication to serve as
a demonstration of my interest in the position.
UDL and the Learning Brain
•One must recognize
information, ideas,
and concepts.
•One must be able to
apply strategies to
process the
information.
•One must be
engaged.
Vygotsky
The Long & Short
Differentiate the ways that
students can express what
they know
Be Flexible! and Reflect