My Thoughts on UDL(Universal Design for Learning)

UDL is so vital to an effective and fully functioning classroom. Initially, I thought of it as only vital to a classroom that includes students with severe disabilities, but now I realize that it is vital to all classrooms and all populations of students.

First, I learned that assistive technology is not limited to devices such as a Dynavox, but also includes things that many children benefit from. I realized that I actually employ some of these very devices in my own classroom! For example, when I teach reading and writing I like to use low tech devices such as graphic organizers and flow charts to help students who may have difficulty brainstorming. I also like to use high tech devices like recorders to help capture students’ ideas who have difficulty writing.

However, even more importantly, I learned that UDL dictates that the ideal implementation would include a curriculum that does not require any modifications or accommodations. I think this can be really difficult to accomplish, especially without the use of any assistive technology. I therefore think teachers have to think of their classroom and curriculum, almost as a new country. I think this analogy was raised in class, and it really hit home for me. I realized that not being able to access the curriculum can be compared to not knowing the language of a country –it can be completely alienating and frustrating! This is definitely not how I want my students to feel when learning. When I started to think about how accessible my classroom and my curriculum that I am teaching are, I felt like there were some toys or games that should be on a lower shelf(for easier access), and perhaps some exercises that I should have differentiated better for students with differing attention spans. I think I would have greatly benefited from a fresh perspective, and by that I mean inviting someone to my room who is not a member of the class or school, and asking them how accessible they think my classroom is.

I also tried to think about how UDL could be applied without the use of assistive technology in my D75 classroom (before technology was invented). I think it would require some very creative thinking, and inspire teachers to really go above and beyond in reaching their students. Perhaps UDL should be implemented more to inspire more teacher creativity. In playing devil's advocate, could one venture to say that technology could sometimes cause some teachers to be lazy because it provides so much assistance for the students?

On a different note, this lecture provided for some introspection on how accessible New York City is as a whole. I started to think about my daily routine and realized there are so many things that come with ease for me, that I take for granted. I wonder how NYC compares to other cities, in its effort to accommodate its citizens? Would a more suburban area or a rural area be more likely to accomplish UDL?