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Designing Lessons for All Learners

The most important things to do when designing a lesson based upon UDL is to first concentrate on the true goal of the lesson and to consider the possible barriers that may stand in the way of your students assessing the lesson. Once you have identified possible barriers and the actual goals, design a lesson that breaks down those barriers.

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Comparing Traditional lesson vs. UDL Planned Lesson

UDL Lesson Builder

Traditional Instruction

Teachers typically deliver content one way.
Students are passive learners who acquire information through memorizing, practicing, and taking tests.
The learning environment encourages students to sit quietly and work on an identical task.
Students' skills and knowledge of content are assessed using one method.

Universal Design for Learning Instruction

Teachers deliver content in multiple ways.
Students are active learners who engage and analyze the content to gain understanding.
The learning environment encourages students to explore the content based on personal interests, preferences, or abilities.
Students are allowed to demonstrate their skills and knowledge of content using one of several methods.
Visit the CAST Lesson Builder site or
view some examples sorted by content area below.
Reading
Science
Writing
Math
Social Studies

Traditional Lesson Example

This example is part a traditional 4th Grade Mission Project. Students are to complete the same worksheet while viewing certain websites. Compare this to the UDL Lesson where students learned the same information, but in a much more interactive way.

UDL Lesson

Learner.org provides a reflective example of the principles of UDL in action around a 4th Grade California Mission project. While watching the video, reflect on how the teacher is able to give students choice in how they learn and present information.
Simple UDL Lesson Plan
File Size: 27 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Links to UDL Lessons and Additional Resources

E3T Engage, Expand and Encompass through Technology  http://e3t.org/page41/page8/ELAmodel.html
Universal Design in the Language Arts Classroom https://sites.google.com/site/udllanguagearts/
UDL Lesson Plans http://udlessonplans.wikispaces.com/
UDL From Loudoun County Public Schools http://lcps.org/Page/1668
UDL from the Montgomery County Public Schools http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/udl/
Colorado State's Access Project for UDL http://accessproject.colostate.edu/udl/
UDL Tech Tool Kit Wiki a resource for free UDL tools http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/
UDL Connect is the National Center on Universal Design for Learning's Professional Learning Community http://community.udlcenter.org/
The PATINS Project (State of Indiana Assistive Technology Project) UDL Pilot Lesson Plans from 2004 through 2010 http://www.patinsproject.com/UDLLessons/udlteam.html
East Carolina University Modules Addressing Special Education and Teacher Education (MAST) on UDL http://mast.ecu.edu/modules/udl_intro/
Maryland has UDL Laws on the books. Their Learning Links site has valuable resources to learn and plan for UDL http://marylandlearninglinks.org/1021
University of Vermont's UDL website http://www.uvm.edu/~cdci/universaldesign/
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