#UDLchat Archive
Meet and chat with colleagues about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) on Twitter! The best hour of professional learning you'll get in 30 minutes. Held the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 9-9:30PM ET.
Wednesday March 2, 2016
Zach from Sanger Unified Schood District joins us. He is a superstar UDL Initiative Superhero!
Welcome to ! Please introduce yourself and share one thing people may not know about you.
Good evening from Ohio. I’m Ron Rogers and my hobby is collecting old parking meters.
Hello my friends - Kit from Sarnia, ON - 1 thing folks may not know about me is that my real name is Christopher Robin.
Hi ! I’m Mindy, Instructional Designer & Social Media Strategist at . You may not know that today is my birthday! 😊
I love to operate heavy machinery (like bull dozers and excavators).
Kristen from Columbus, Indiana
SR, severe sped T from MA. I suppose it's not news if you read my profile, but I'm
Kimberly Coy from Fresno State. I walked out of a doctors office today because it took too long!
Evening everyone, I once played in a football game against Orlando Pace
Hi, I'm Joelee, a preservice teacher majoring in El Ed & Special Ed at Grove City College in PA. My favorite food is mac&cheese :)
Bryan Dean from Mi and... I may have a hat problem...
Kim you are so cool. I’ve always wanted to do it.
Elijah Gersims, freshman Secondary Social Studies Ed. and History major from Grove City College! Went to and loved Ireland!
What!? Happy Birthday https://t.co/o5HKIQE8oj
Hi ! I’m Mindy, Instructional Designer & Social Media Strategist at . You may not know that today is my birthday! 😊
Susan here. 👋🏻 Kansas MTSS state trainer. So excited to learn more about UDL!
How cool! The full sized ones that are at street curbs?
Old parking meters? Like the whole things? Where do you find them?
Welcome to , Susan! https://t.co/Rk6wlciqAd
Susan here. 👋🏻 Kansas MTSS state trainer. So excited to learn more about UDL!
Kristen from Columbus indiana. I have 5 cats!😺
It was not good for my Engagement in the process.
I love this fact about you, Loui! https://t.co/8svWMpz1FL
I love to operate heavy machinery (like bull dozers and excavators).
That's fascinating. Learning a lot about folks from our intro.
That's A LOT of cats! Do they get along?
Hope you're feeling better!!
Kathy in Columbus. Hello all!
Cassie from Fort Myers. I've taught kinder for 6 years now
So great to have everyone here. We’re busting myths about tonight in . Get those fingers ready for the first question…
thanks! Surgery # 2 done!
Hello everyone, I am Alejandra and I'm super hungry.
My name is Zach smith and people may not know that love to visit junkyards.
they do! Well, most of the time!! 😂
Hi Kathy!! Hope you're well!!
hey Matt. I love your website. How many hours a week do you invest in it?
Welcome to ! Don’t forget to put the hashtag in your tweets so we make sure you’re part of the convo. https://t.co/RPx9Wz091h
What do you hunt for at the junkyard?
Q1: There are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there about . What are some you’ve had or heard?
A1: = Fancy acronym for differentiation!
Mostly parts for my old ford bronco that I pretend I can afford.
A1) I've honestly never heard any! Granted, I'm still a pre-service, and a freshman at that!
A2: everyone already does UDL
John here from Gainesville Fl for FGCU course 6936 taught by Dr. Stork I am sub teaching for two different counties
A1: UDL is just "good teaching."
A1: UDL is just good teaching
A1- Preservice T and only heard good things about UDL. I'm sure once I'm out in the "real world" I'll be exposed to myths
Myth: UDL is basically only useful for students with IEPS
Totally agree with you about 's website!!
Rhianon from Boston. Excited to join tonight's ! I also have a hat obsession like
Matt in FL. Learning about UDL and brand new to twitter, this is my first tweet ever. Nice to be here,
A1: My favorite myth is that UDL is just like Differentiated Instruction
Q1 I hear people say it's only for special education students.
A1: UDL will take too much planning time...
A1: Misconceptions: That is something you write in a School Improvement Plan, that it's a special ed thing.
Its just one more thing on a teachers plate
Hey, everyone! Looks/feels like such strong voice here tonight!
A1: When I first started learning abt , I thought it was connected to "learning styles.” No and no. 😜 https://t.co/G0fmyhoKkV
A1: you have to have technology
Hello, everyone! So excited to see what this is all about!
Is there such a thing as "Just" good teaching? Teachers work smart and hard :) Another myth
A1. Myths: That's it's just DI or good teaching. That UDL=letting kids do alternate assignments instead of writing
And even stronger because you're here!!
A plat that's already full!
A1: All of these misconceptions are making me twitch! :)
Q1: UDL is just good teaching that is a common one. Udl isn't rigorous for the state test.
A1: UDL doesn't prepare kids for college
I'd say the same is also true for me! https://t.co/smpmGoqrz4
A1: My favorite myth is that UDL is just like Differentiated Instruction
We used "cootie catchers" last night for some awesome Action and Expression
Welcome Emily glad you can join us at the
I feel like I’ve heard all of these misconceptions at least once. Let’s get ready to bust a few!
A1) Udl means a less challenging classroom environment
RT A1: UDL doesn't prepare kids for college Because at college it's only paper and pen in those blue books
Yep heard that before. Or that is watered down curriculum. https://t.co/GMoA0hgY2I
A1: UDL doesn't prepare kids for college
A1) evidence can only be found in Ss work. Nope! It's about the design!
Q2: What might you tell someone who thinks is only for students with disabilities?
DI = Teacher-centered;
= student-centered, IMHO. https://t.co/0wLBnm0EYN
A1. Myths: That's it's just DI or good teaching. That UDL=letting kids do alternate assignments instead of writing
I agree...I don't want to like any of the tweets!
The big myth I hear a lot is students can’t pass state tests if we do UDL. Nasty myth.
A2: is not just for Ss with disabilities, but “diverse” student populations including ESL Ss & high performing Ss to name a few
A2: All Ss have different strengths&weaknesses whether or not they have disabilities. Ts should work to teach to ALL their Ss needs
A2) That it's not just for students with disabilities, but it's designed for students across different levels of understanding.
A2: I would first ask: What is a disability?
or that Ss won't cover the entire curriculum/content (evenly/sufficiently) using UDL principles. Lot of push-back there
RT Q2: What might you tell someone who thinks is only for students with disabilities?
A2: quick response... "Um...did you notice the word universal? Now think about what that really means!
A2: "Hmmm, I'd think you'd want all Ss to be expert learners..."
A2: UDL meets students where they are! Teaching the margins!
great point! Never looked at it that way
I know! I found myself turning all the myths around!
A2: I tell people that it is about designing for variability. https://t.co/CAgMKeUWHt
Q2: What might you tell someone who thinks is only for students with disabilities?
A2: UDL allows EVERY student to be successful
Ss are not disabled, schools are :)
A2: I'd ask that person - Don't we all want our learning accessible, meaningful, and engaging?
RT A2: "Hmmm, I'd think you'd want all Ss to be expert learners..."
A2: UDL is for all the different learning needs, big or small, high or low
A2: Universal includes everyone..
A1: myth...UDL is good for some but not all classrooms. It wouldn't work for my kids, they're different.
Kristen you must be reading my mind on a lot of your answers for the Love it!
A2 is the anti-label---no need to categorize learners--we are all part of natural
A2: Now, the more polite response, " helps you design an environment where every Ss can reach their highest potential."
Q2: a big argument against that is UD in other spaces like building design and medicine support how margins help all
I agree. Use it when helpful, put away when it isn't
A2: An average S doesn't exist. UDL is about eliminating barriers for ALL Ss since learning is highly variable and so are learners.
when planning for those with "disabilities" you plan for everyone,
A2: This question reminds me of why UDL is a social movement as well as an educational reality
Great responses so far… I think we can call that myth BUSTED. :) Get ready for another…
A2: is an amazing research based approach which you should definitely check out and utilize with ALL learners, adults & kids
A2) is about deliberate design and intentional thought for all... isn't this what we want our Ss to emulate and embody?
Hi Karen glad you made it tonight to the
A2: I also mention how context matters because it varies, so learners need options to engage, express...
And that’s exactly why it would work, right? 😀 https://t.co/f1p2TgBqhu
A1: myth...UDL is good for some but not all classrooms. It wouldn't work for my kids, they're different.
A2: do we want ALL or a few Ss to have access to learning?
Wow, hadn't thought about as a social movement too - Good point. https://t.co/dXwQAaEMOT
A2: This question reminds me of why UDL is a social movement as well as an educational reality
Q3: What might you tell someone who thinks you can’t do without technology?
RT Q2: argument against that is UD in other spaces like building design and medicine support how margins help all
A2.2) is about designing environments. If you're already doing that as Ts why wouldn't you want to do it right the first time?
A:2
Students with disabilities arent the only students who can benefit from various teaching methods
A3: What is technology? I am planning a hike to some petroglyphs this summer...
A3: even changing your teaching methods can add to UDL in your class. It doesn't have to depend on tech!
A:3 Go back and look over the UDL Principles and check points. Give them non-technology examples.
Q3: is about designing for access to content for learning
A3: every student learns differently. Providing low-tech and no-tech options allow all students to be successful!
do it right the first time? What's that ? :)
A3: I'd ask them what their favorite place to sit and read is at home - Guessing it's not a tech chair.
"UDL is the anti-label". ⬅️Love this!
Udl is driven by variability, therefore being different is a prerequisite!
A3 it's about so much more than technology. Using tech is only a piece of the large puzzle
RT RT : Q3: What might you tell someone who thinks you can’t do without technology?
A3) It's not the technology that makes UDL work, it's the teacher's diligence to find something that works for their Ss!
Q3: technology makes parts of udl easier & faster, but some folks just aren't fluent in tech so designing only with tech isn't udl
A3: I would say that tech allows for innovation, yes-but we do UDL thru other media too-performance, art https://t.co/DeqNtJKTCX
Q3: What might you tell someone who thinks you can’t do without technology?
A3: Ts can reach their Ss through different ways of representing the content without technology
Be sure to take time to follow someone new from tonight's . Great to have some new folks joining in!
Thank you all for the birthday wishes! Feeling the -love ❤
A:3
Technology isn't the only way to teach a concept differently. Hands on, co-op learning, guest speakers, etc etc etc
A3: low-tech tools are just as awesome... Sticky notes, posters, anchor charts, sentence frames, thinking maps....
A2:UDL allows Ts & Ss to tap deeply into the why of learning
A3: Are pencils and paper technology? Why yes!
Q3: no tech tools you can hold are still cool. Now and forever
A3: Many Ts have been effective w/UDL before so much tech was available. There are lots of low-tech ways to vary instruction
RT Be sure to take time to follow someone new from tonight's . Great to have some new folks joining in!
Dumbledoor is cool too. You are so kind.
A3: You don't need technology to set goals, be motivated, and learn.
A2: UDL is a journey.. You don't arrive at UDL-topia. It is ever-evolving and changing based on S need & T design
To me, sticky notes are one of the best technologies ever!
A3: For centuries, Ts have been teaching w/out technology. With the framework and upfront design, those ideas can even get better!
A3: = creating access, meaningful, active learning process, and raising student voice in no, low, and/or high tech fashion
Y’all are crashing my ! mythbusting is in full effect!
Welcome Meg glad you made the tonight.
Excellent low tech options, post-it notes and chart paper can be just as effective as Chromebooks.
A3: And processes are UDL!
just have to keep Mythbusting! Success is usually your best motivator! 👍🏼
A3: have we thought that some Ss are not motivated or engaged with tech?
A3 Tech = massive plus. But we can utilise the arts, esp. graphics to support text, optimise hands-on activities\real experiences.
Q3: solving problems is what udl does, no tech, low tech, or high tech those = tools
Last question… Q4: Fill in the blanks! I used to think was ___. Now, I think ___.
Udl deals with designing a learning experience that includes variability. Very possible without tech
I ALWAYS love this Q as a closer :)
love it! It's not about the tool, but how the tool is used that matters
Yep! Visual thinking strategies can be designed to be UDL. Touches on all principles https://t.co/E0s1rpoh6E
A3 Tech = massive plus. But we can utilise the arts, esp. graphics to support text, optimise hands-on activities\real experiences.
I agree! I love the ones with lines on them! Lists galore!!!
A4: I used to think address only SPED Ss, now, I know it encompasses the entire class. Thanks session!
A4: Thanks to I use to think was just an ed thing. Now I think is a social movement as well
A4: I used to think was mainly for Ss w/ special needs. Now, I know it should be for all Ss!
Q4) I used to think UDL was specifically for students who needed help, now I think it's vital for all students' success!
A4: I used to think was complicated. Now, I think it simplifies my planning.
I agree! Even sometimes more effective especially when generating questions or having a meaningful discussion
P.S. Feel free to adjust the text before the blanks.. we are , after all. 😉
A4: I used to think UDL was fun now I think it is still fun but also necessary!
A4: I used to think was amazing to support education. Now, I think it is how I breath learning in all environments
That's right! Go beyond access to create & rigor (meaningful,personal connections) = true learning
Ready to learn more about Universal Design for Learning in the !
A4: I used to think was an initiative. Now I know it’s a research-based framework for instructional design and delivery.
RT A4: Thanks to I use to think was just an ed thing. Now I think is a social movement as well
Hi Reuben Glad you made it to the Everyone be sure to follow this guy.
lurking on thanks for posting the link.
A4: I used to think UDL was known by very few educators but now I think the UDL movement is finally gaining traction and momentum.
I used to think udl was about teaching now I think it is a whole system swallower.
thanks for the reminder this is cool!
L a4: Fill in the blanks! I used to think was personalized learning. Now, I think it's a holistic way of teaching .
Thanks dude, the checks in the mail!
A4: I used to think was complicated, but now I think it's possible to be understood by many https://t.co/c6xAMU3hcy
Last question… Q4: Fill in the blanks! I used to think was ___. Now, I think ___.
Having access for all, and really meaning all, is a social movement. Why we do learning and learning
I use to think UDL was an extra step, now I think it is a necessary step
