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How does UDL support engagement and motivation?

Universal Design for Learning is essential to increasing engagement and motivation for all students.

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Student Engagement and Motivation Increased by UDL

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles for creating a learning environment that is accessible for all students. There is no one way to learn and individual students each come with their own strengths and needs. In order to engage and motivate all students, I’ve incorporated lessons that address the variety of learning styles of my students.

The first principle addresses the variety of ways students absorb new concepts. Information needs to be presented in a variety of ways. Direct instruction is valuable but needs to be balanced with student collaboration in accomplishing tasks in order to engage the social nature of middle school students. Through reading, watching videos or screencasts at home, listening to teachers and other students explain a concept and testing ideas through hands on activities, students have multiple ways of gathering information. Engagement and motivation are high when the variety of learning opportunities is high.

The second principle deals with how students demonstrate what they know. Many of the projects I assign allow a choice of presentation methods so students can express their ideas and demonstrate their knowledge in ways that interest them. Designing posters, multimedia presentations, making charts and graphs are some of the many ways students can apply and communicate what they have learned. When choices are given, engagement and motivation increase.

The most difficult principle to follow is convincing students why they need to learn certain concepts. If the topic is relevant then engagement and motivation come naturally. Each student comes with a different perspective so will be challenged, excited or interested by different things. Showing stimulating videos or asking off the wall questions hook different kids at different times. The challenge to teachers is to find those hooks for all students.

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