Universal Design for Learning

Research shows that motivated students experience greater satisfaction with school experiences, which may in turn lead to student success and greater school completion (Voke, 2002).  As Deborah Stipek (1996) indicates, engaged students are more likely to approach tasks eagerly and persist in the face of difficulty.  According to Don Tapscott (2009), in order to motivate students and unlock their enthusiasm for learning in today's digital age, students require the following: collaboration, entertainment, speed, innovation, freedom, customization, scrutiny and integrity.  Universal Design for Learning is an approach to teaching and learning that addresses these norms of the Net Generation and provides a greater school experience for today's students.

The Universal Design for Learning teaching model seeks to transform classroom learning by embracing the diverse needs of each student.  Universal Design for Learning suggests three areas that teachers need to look at in order to modify their instruction: representation, expression, and engagement.   Digital media are supportive of this model of teaching and can easily be implemented into the three areas. Listed below are different articles and videos that describe Universal Design for Learning and suggest ways to implement it into today's classroom.

National Center on Universal Design for Learning 

Universal Design for Learning Task Force 

Panhandle Area Educational Consortium 

References

Voke, H. (2002, February).  Motivating students to learn [Electronic version].  Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development - Infobrief, 28, 1-11.

Stipek, D. (1996).  Motivation and Instruction. In D.C. Berliner & R.C. Calfee (Eds.), Handbook of educational psychology (pp.85-113). New York: Simon & Schuster/Macmillan.

Tapscott, D. (2009). Grown up digital. New York: McGraw-Hill.