These discussions we have
been having these past two weeks on UD and UDL, have really made me question my
environment and it’s accessibility as well as my classroom, and all the
individual learners. When thinking of special education my first thought is IEP
(Individualized Education Program), emphasis on Individualized! I think this should be the key term looked at when
thinking of UD and UDL. We should ensure, as educators and people, to the best
of our ability, that we examine all the individual differences of each and
every person, and how we can make places and curricula equally accessible to
all!
When looking at my classmates’
posts, it brings to light how many principals of UD are defied in our
environment and in our very own homes! Alison and Caitlin pointed out high shelves,
which were unreachable! We thought of similar solutions other than step stools
and not using the shelf, which does not help us use the principals of UD. We
did think of grabbers and gas assisted shelves, which would optimally bring
the shelf to eye level, making the items visible and attainable! Judy
posted about steep flights of stairs in a friends’ apartment building, which
makes it very unfriendly to go up and down. Simple tasks such as doing laundry
and grocery shopping will be made more difficult and for individuals with
physical disabilities, almost impossible to visit the building at all! An
elevator or an electric chair attached to the banister, which acts like a lift,
is definitely necessary! Phil pointed out a ramp, which is meant to make a
basement accessible, which one would think is in accordance to UD, but it is so
steep and has no traction, it might be more dangerous than stairs! We discussed
removing the carpet which is put down, and creating a surface that is not as
slippery. There are so many places that need to be revamped and there are so
many possibilities!
When looking at “The Future
is in the Margins” article, they point out some great ideas to promote UDL in
the classroom. Rose and Meyer discuss technology as a transformation of work,
making it, “more nutritious… more differentiated… engaging… and [a] change [of]
our concept of learning and teaching.” I have to completely agree with this
idea because technology will help us as educators, implement the principals of
UDL: multiple means of representation, multiple means of action and expression,
and multiple means of engagement. I read the article keeping in mind a few
students from the sample learning profiles. For a student like Michael who
likes to perform well and explore his own interests, I think having him use
technology to make a presentation might help his inappropriateness when
presenting. Because he is visual and has trouble with formal language he can
create a very creative and informative power point presentation, which may help
him express all his ideas in the most optimal way for him. This will also help
Michael create the presentation in a way that he wont need such explicit
instructions, and he may need less support. For a student like Rebecca that
misses a lot of information on a daily basis because she cannot hear the
information and has trouble with language, she can also benefit from multiples
modes of representation and expression. Because she is good at presenting I
would give her the same recommendation as I did for Michael. I would also
present information in charts, webs, and graphic organizers for Rebecca, as
well as video clips, and power point slides, so that she can clearly see the
information in many forms, and does not have to be limited to listening to the
speaker or being overwhelmed by a lot of words. There are so many adaptations
that can be made to better our classrooms and help our students, if we keep the
principals of UDL prevalent!
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