UNIVERSAL DESIGN LANGUAGE – No two people are the same, then why do many educational systems use the same technique to teach students? The universal design language has been poised as the perfect solution for each person’s unique differences. It is a structure that leaves no man behind despite their different means of learning.щангова пръскачка за малки опити the smiths how soon is now album cover como decorar una habitacion matrimonial tommy hilfiger обувь отзывы youtube link to mp3 converter cercei aur model indian מיקרוגל lg לקנות nike עודפים זכרון יעקב felpa fedez bershka amazon שמיכות צמר ורדינון btwin dh tracciato tav firenze bolsa colcci bau נורה למוות בבאר שבע בגלל סכסוך בקיוסק שער חשמלי אלומיניום מחיר
UDL was developed by CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) in the 1990s. It is an educational framework aiming to enable students with equal or the same level of opportunities, regardless of their abilities, to learn by creating an accessible environment prone to change and engaging the student’s creativity. Likewise, this structure promotes and develops each student’s differences and helps them not to lose their individuality amid people.
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Principles of Universal Design Language- UNIVERSAL DESIGN LANGUAGE
Universal Design Language is based on three core principles which are;
1 Multiple means of representation.
2 Multiple means of expression.
3 Multiple means of engagement.
Multiple means of representation
This principle implies that students have various ways of interpreting the information they receive, from their differences in style to their preferences. For example, some students may learn better through tangible or physical means; others may prefer audio or visuals. In addition, to be able to educate students about their different preferences, educators should provide multiple choices for the students to be able to choose which best suits them.
A few examples of multiple means of representation are;
- Illustrations of real-world samples and experiences to display the concept.
- Provision of audiobooks.
- Gamification for easier interaction.
- Handouts with paragraphs and charts.
- Video with a caption of audio and description for visuals.
- PowerPoint presentation with speaking notes and alternative texts (alt-texts) image description.
Multiple means of expression
The second principle implies that students have different means by which they display or showcase information, knowledge, and skills. However, this principle recognizes that they have a wide range of how they express information. This allows students to be comfortable, bringing in-depth effectiveness.
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A few examples are:
- Examinations featuring diverse question formats, including but not limited to multiple choice.
- Oral presentation.
- In-person or through audio or video recording.
- Written essay.
- Creative assignment.
- Projects that involve physical construction.
- Assignments requiring facts recollection or application.
Multiple means of engagement
The third principle indicates that students have many ways of motivation and interest in learning. It recognizes that students have various ways in which they engage in learning. Therefore, multiple engagement means should keep the students engaged and interested in learning.
A few examples are:
• Incorporating both individual and group assignments in the coursework.
• Enlisting learning outcomes and key terms to aid learners in monitoring their advancement.
• Providing text-based options for inquiries.
• Organizing easily accessible field trips and employment opportunities.
• Using examples or anecdotes to elucidate course concepts or add a personal touch.
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Benefits of UDL- UNIVERSAL DESIGN LANGUAGE
- Reduced Stigma: UDL identifies each student’s differences and enlightens them on their differences. It reduces stigma and promotes inclusivity and diversity.
- Improves Engagement: People tend to do what they are interested in by engaging the students in their field of interest and participation. In addition, it allows for a better environment and motivates them to display their knowledge, skills, and information.
- Enhanced learning outcomes: This structure allows students to learn effectively and demonstrate their skills and knowledge comfortably.
- Increased accessibility: By implementing UDL, educators can teach each student despite their differences by providing an environment that best suits their needs regardless of each student’s learning styles or skills.
- Increased social inclusion: Students of all social statuses will be able to learn with their differences regardless of their social backgrounds.
- Enhanced Teacher Effectiveness: UDL provides educators with the structure to create effective environments for students. As a result, teachers will be able to cater to the needs of each student despite their differences in learning and understanding.
Significant Barriers to Universal Design Learning
We have carefully researched some significant barriers to this evolving technology. They are outlined below:
- Lack of Time: Implementation of UDL is time-consuming as providing an environment for students with their differences would require a considerable amount of time. Structuring different materials for students, implementing navigation instructions, and making learning materials accessible according to their differences require a lot of time.
- Capital Intensive: Structuring a framework to fit each student’s needs in their learning differences is capital intensive. For instance, acquiring the materials needed for gamification, audiobooks, visual images, and the like costs a lot of money.
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- Inadequate Knowledge and Experience for Educators: Few educators are experienced with the knowledge or skills required to provide students with the framework and environment to implement UDL in the educational system.
How Educators Can Implement UDL
Implementing UDL into the curriculum can seem to overthink, but with these few principles, UDL implementation can be broken down into a few basic steps.
- Get to know your students: An assessment of each student’s strengths, weaknesses, abilities, skills, and knowledge is vital for implementing UDL. To know which framework structure to use for each student’s differences and to group the ones with similarities.
- Plan for diversity: Ensure that the lesson plans and activities incorporate the three principles of UDL (Multiple means of representation, Multiple means of expression, and Multiple means of engagement).
- Technology: Technology makes our lives easy and can make UDL implementation easier. Please use the various tools and resources that technology has made available and provide students with the UDL in the structure of their learning.
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Conclusion
The world has evolved, and we need to implement fit structures to evolve with it. UDL bridges the unique differences of each student and ensures that they have a suitable environment as they learn in the way they best understand. This framework enables people to learn to the best of their abilities without holding back for fear of rejection or lack of assimilation.
In addition, the world’s educational system will be highly efficient if Universal Design Language is adopted in every learning sphere worldwide. Students would learn to the peak of their abilities despite their differences in assimilation.