Universal Design for Learning:“ Student-Centered Learning at Its Best”
At the start of the 2024 – 25 school year, teachers were introduced to Universal Design for Learning( UDL), an educational framework that aims to make learning accessible and empowering for all students. Since then, faculty have come together for UDL book studies, collaborative lesson planning, and group reflection to implement the inclusive teaching framework in their classrooms.
What is Universal Design for Learning?
A BUFFET FOR LEARNING
We’ ve all had the experience of trying to plan a meal that will meet everyone’ s dietary needs. Some can’ t have gluten, some are allergic to nuts or shellfish, some are dairy-free— the list could go on and on.
The reality is that one dish often doesn’ t fit everyone’ s needs, and trying to make it work can result in frustration and time-consuming substitutions, leaving you and your guests unsatisfied. Wouldn’ t it be better to plan a potluck or buffet where each person can choose the dish that suits them best?
This analogy is frequently used in the UDL world because it touches on an important component of the UDL framework: offering multiple options to foster the best possible experience for everyone. In the case of a dinner party, the buffet is a way to satisfy all your guests regardless of their dietary needs and preferences. In the case of learning, UDL is a way to engage all students, even if they have different interests and needs.
KEY PRINCIPLES
Laura Greif, a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher, dives deeper into this definition by explaining the three key principles of UDL. First, you provide multiple means of engagement, or how you’ re bringing them into the content.“ That really serves as a motivational tool,” Greif says, because when students get to make choices about their learning— whether they work independently or with a partner, for example— they are more likely to want to participate.
The next principle is to provide multiple means of presentation. At this stage, you want to start asking yourself things like,“ How is information being shared? What pathways am I offering students to experience the content?”
Finally, UDL provides multiple means of expression, or ways for students to showcase their understanding at the end of a lesson or unit.
“ Within [ this ] framework,” Greif says,“ you’ re essentially building choice into all of those pieces so that it’ s almost like a buffet for learning.”
FALK LABORATORY SCHOOL | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH 8