Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
LIVE NOW
Welcome to today's #LDchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. We're joined today by Understood founding partner @CAST_UDL to discuss Universal Design for Learning! #UDL
A1: #UDL is an instructional design framework that considers the range of learner variability in any learning environment. By designing for variability, we maintain rigorous goals for all, and consider flexible pathways to attaining those goals. https://t.co/fTaDpjrccK#LDchat
Hello #ldchat Just saw this topic pop up in my feed and get very excited! AT / UDL Specialist from NJ. Also co-mod of #ATchat every Wed night @ 8PM eastern
A1: Characteristics of the 1 in 5 students with learning + attention issues are part of the range of human variability. There's no average learner. Why design for one? #LDchat [GIF: "Disability is not a problem to be cured, but a part of our identity and diversity."]
A1- UDL advocates for using multiple means of representation (presenting curriculum in multiple ways--not just through text), so Ss with LD and attention issues still have access to grade-level curriculum, but supplemented with graphics, video, organizers, etc. #ldchat
A1: students learn in different ways& need various approaches to access and demonstrate their understanding UDL in this sense provides equal access to their edu and demo of their understanding #ldchat
A1: What I believe #UDL is, is parents & educators understanding science & research behind learning & behaviors & setting up classroom environments & instruction to meet the educational needs & social/emotional needs of our students to build upon their strengths #ldchat
A1: #UDL places strategies and supports as a forethought, not an afterthought. Removing barriers. Promoting equity. Accounting for variances that make learners unique and accepted. #LDchat
A1: Love this! Every professional development I attend highlights the needs to allow every child to grow & build their creativity & higher/order thinking skills! #ldchat
A1: My wish as an educator is that our state assessments would also allow for student’s learning differences to show areas of strengths, but also areas to improve instruction. #ldchat
A2: giving students choice to show what they know. Let them use words, images, paper, tech, video....create the end goal not about the materials but what they should model knowledge of #ldchat
A2: One way to provide multiple means of representation is to use flexible content that doesn't rely on one sense only for understanding (e.g. hearing or vision). #LDchat
A2: A great way is to provide multiple formats of printed materials. Allow for options for customization. #assistivetechhas been a great tool. TTS, Closed Captions, Font, Option to print if desired. That’s one way- there are multiple. #LDchat
A1: UDL gives you language and framework for what many of us already do. Technology helps us to practice UDL. UDL allows educators to rethink their practice to provide access and equity for ALL students. #ldchat
#SEL is more essential than educators or families realize. Building strong Social/Emotional skills really sets our students up for success & effective problem solving skills #ldchat
I like to teach students to use a variety of tools with small lessons so when times comes for bigger learning objectives they have experienced multiple means and can make smart choices for themselves #ldchat
Yes! It burns me when a learner can’t show what they know in a way that makes sense for them! Are we promoting exercises in compliance or building expert learners here? #LDChat
In reply to
@angela_lange25, @CAST_UDL, @UnderstoodOrg
A2: "representation" of content could be multimedia, "old school" paper and pencil, videos, VR/AR, role play, storytelling. Many ways to show the content so every kid has a chance to access it personally.#UDL#ldchat
Hi all! Kelli checking in late #LDchat. A2: it looks like ENGAGEMENT still...multiple modes of Ss being receptive to what is being taught because it’s all accessible for each diverse learner. #UDL
So important to build up those self-advocacy and choice selection skills. Options don’t work if you don’t know how to choose what’s right for you based on the learning goal. #LDchat
A2: Students perceive and comprehend info differently. Some of us prefer auditory or visual presentations. Options are critical to reach all learners. #LDChat
A2b- Mult. means of representation provides more than one "on-ramp" to the content. So, it's not just about presenting info through reading, it's about presenting info in LOTS of ways to increase access. #ldchat
A2: varies as their needs change. Personal comments 4 1 but a pic or drawing to another, may be reading it v hearing it told to them, convos w peers about something familiar to tie into the concept. Their need for a pic 2day could be a need 4 a story tomorrow . #ldchat
A3: Allow learners to show what they know in a way that makes sense for them. Many pathways to get to the same goal. One is not better than the other. #LDchat
A2: For myself & other Early Childhood teachers I have found that modeling different ways of completing a task really shows students different ways of learning content. They discover how gaining knowledge really works for them & ways that show more frustration #LDchat
Haha Mike so true! I do think it is important to allow tech and non-tech options. But I also like show kids how using tech can support their learning differences to create more traditional offline projects such as dictate words to print to glue on a poster. #ldchat
A3: Not all learners have the same dexterity or motor skills. Devices that level the playing field, i.e. keyboard modifications, allow the student to express themselves more easily. #ldchat
A3:The ability 2 explain ur process. #designthinking includes the space 2 explore different ways 2 express ur work and thinking. In math,not all kids can "show" u their work but can explain in a personal way thru application. drawing,building,hypothesizing, #ldchat
A3: it looks like a student centered environment where choices are being made by individual Ss on how they feel they can share their knowledge with little to NO unnecessary barriers #LDchat
Amen to that....educators are notoriously bad at only presenting and engaging in ways they know and feel comfortable. That means not all learners reached #ldchat
A3:The ability 2 explain ur process. #designthinking includes the space 2 explore different ways 2 express ur work and thinking. In math,not all kids can "show" u their work but can explain in a personal way thru application. drawing,building,hypothesizing, #ldchat
A3: learning. This looks like learning&innovation, independent work, teamwork, research, art, movement, areas of discussion and areas of quiet or headsets. It means learning in action, whatever that looks like for the student to express their understanding or new ideas. #ldchat
Our district leverages @Bookshare and has been a powerful game changer for so many of our learners. Especially when they transition to #HigherEducation and they have their toolkit ready to go! #LDChat
A3: Not all of us are able to sit in our chairs and listen for hours on end... adaptations - both physical and in presentation - allow different learners to express themselves more adeptly. #ldchat
There is not one means of engagement that is optimal for all learners in all contexts, so providing multiple options is key. #UDL#LDchathttps://t.co/Jpx4uMFjwF
A3: Adopting uses of technology is one way of enabling a different learner to engage completely and express their viewpoint. This is critical for all of us on this planet. Lots of great ideas can't be communicated without adaptations. #ldchat
A4: I have really challenged myself as a teacher in allowing more time for creativity, “guided” project based learning, & always ensuring multiple senses are engaged in the learning process. #ldchat
A4:So important- Why do we need to know this? Activities should be structured in a way that the Ss explain the why. The more Ss can access this, the more engagement there is. Why was this easer for me 2 understand? Why is this important to learn and why learn it this way? #ldchat
