Universal Design for Learning

According to Cast.org, the Universal Design of Learning is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people by giving insights into how we learn. There are UDL Guidelines to use as a tool to implement the UDL in any setting. These guidelines offer suggestions that can be applied to any subject area to ensure all learners can access and participate in meaningful and engaging learning opportunities. UDL supports the needs of diverse learners, including learning-disabled students from diverse cultural backgrounds (King-Sears 2009). 

1. Which of these guidelines I am already using?
   
   As a current librarian, I already incorporate multiple means of representation by providing options for comprehension in linking and activating prior knowledge to new books that I am sharing as well as using different types of concept maps. I also use digital text with an accompanying human voice recording (usually my voice) when students are using iPads to access the story for the week. 
   
   
2. Which of these could I add right now to my teaching practice?
   
   Providing multiple means of action and expression. Due to time constraints, I sometimes don't allow enough opportunities for students to stop and think before answering. To check for understanding, I could have students role-play the story or have them create podcasts with the new information they have learned which will enhance the capacity for monitoring progress.
   
   
3. Which of these looks great, but I might need some help to implement?
   
   Provide multiple means of engagement by allowing learners the autonomy to choose how to participate in the gathering of information or production as well as the timing for completion of specific tasks. 
   
   

I would like to gain a better understanding of UDL from a librarian's standpoint. As a librarian we need to be more thoughtful of ways in which we can incorporate the Universal Design of Learning into our library instruction. According to the article School Libraries and UDL in the Time of Learning from Home by Jennifer Sturge, librarians are already using the three main principles of UDL by providing choice. Under Principle 1, we promote a wide range of reading by allowing students to choose the format of the materials they are seeking and self-selecting books for academic purposes or for pleasure. We also provide feedback, multiple databases, and pathfinders for student use and engagement. Many school libraries offer a welcoming environment where students can exercise their choice and autonomy.  Under Principle 2, school libraries provide visual media in the form of books, periodicals, databases, and audiobooks where students have the option to have the text read to them. Librarians also support wide background knowledge and assistance in finding information the student is seeking. School librarians teach teachers how to utilize closed captioning in their instructional videos. Under Principle 3, school librarians collaborate with teachers in which students are provided with choices in how they present their findings. We provide multiple databases, texts, and ways to research and have the knowledge of technology in order for students to create. 

According to Reading Rockets in the article 5 Examples of Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom by CAST, it can be helpful for all kids, especially those with learning and attention issues. After reading the five examples, these are things that teachers and librarians are most likely already incorporating into their daily practices like posting lesson goals/objectives, providing a variety of assignment options, flexible workspaces, regular feedback, and access to digital and audio text. 

After reading more about the Universal Design for Learning and how it looks on the library side, I have a better understanding of how it can easily be incorporated to ensure the curriculum meets the diversity of my students. I also didn't realize that I am already doing some of the things that were explained by Jennifer Sturgeb and Reading Rockets. Check out Keeping Up with Universal Design for Learning for easy tasks that librarians can do to incorporate UDL in their library instruction.

Resources

Keeping Up With... Universal Design for Learning | Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL). (n.d.). American Library Association. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/keeping_up_with/udl

(n.d.). CAST: Until learning has no limits®. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://www.cast.org/

Robinson, D. E. (2017, September/October). Universal design for learning and school libraries. Knowledge Quest, 46(1), 56-61. https://learn-us-east-1-prod-fleet02-xythos.content.blackboardcdn.com/5c0f632563f2b/22812408?X-Blackboard-Expiration=1650153600000&X-Blackboard-Signature=W9xVUExcLXcQWihlnz34fRmvc9gh32B24i0j0hvGw%2F8%3D&X-Blackboard-Client-Id=100967&response-cache-control=

Sturge, J. (2020, June 2). School Libraries and UDL in the Time of Learning from Home. Knowledge Quest. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/school-libraries-and-udl-in-the-time-of-learning-from-home/

UDL Examples: Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom. (n.d.). Understood.org. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://www.readingrockets.org/article/5-examples-universal-design-learning-classroom