Friday, December 04, 2009 - 7:50 p.m.
Through our study this week, we were introduced to the UDL Lesson Builder. Before I share my reflections, I would like to provide a brief description of the components of a UDL Lesson. CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) philosophy states that the UDL is for all students, regardless of their academic abilities. The philosophy behind the UDL is that it enables teachers to critically examine the components of a lesson such as objectives, methods of delivering content, instructional materials used in teaching the lesson, assessment. The UDL provides the framework teachers utilize in organizing multiple ways that students use to gain information and knowledge.
Research on brain processing found that the brain processes information through three brain networks, recognition networks, strategic networks, and affective networks. Briefly explained, recognition networks deal with the “what” of learning (what is seen, heard, read); strategic networks deal with the “how” of learning (organizing and expressing ideas); and finally, affective networks, the “why” of learning (challenges and excitement).
I found the development of the UDL lesson to be a challenging experience. Not only did I have to focus on the objectives to be addressed, but activities that focus on each of the three brain networks. Activities that focus on the recognition networks provide various examples, highlighting critical features, provide lessons that have multiple media and formats, and support background context. Strategic network activities provide various ways to model skilled performances, provide opportunities to practice a new skill, provide relevant and frequent feedback, and multiple ways to demonstrate the new skill. Finally, affective network activities offer choices of tools and content, various levels of challenge, rewards and a choice of learning context. The creation of the lesson was a lot of work, required a lot of thought and reflection on the assignment and the methods and activities utilized to teach a concept. I’m sure through practice, developing UDLs rather than a standard lesson plan, will become second nature. I feel that we owe it to all our students to take the time and energy necessary to create lessons that will meet the needs of our diverse student population, our students need us to do so.
