QUICK TIPS:
TAKING UNIVERSAL DESIGN FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
Strategies adapted from the Colorado State University
Created by Rachael Schumer
OBJECTIVES & BENCHMARKS
TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL CHALLENGES
It is important to describe objectives in ways that are CLEAR and SPECIFIC. Objectives must be described in ways that are MEASURABLE and ACHIEVABLE. Also, objectives must MOTIVATE students to learn.
- Make a list of knowledge, skills, and attitudes you want your students to achieve.
- Sort the list into two categories: need-to-know (essential) and nice-to-know (important, but not essential).
- Differentiate between broadly-stated goals and specific learning objectives.
- Objectives should be "SMART": specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely.
- Communicate high expectations for all students, while expressing your willingness to make "appropriate accommodations" for students with disabilities.
- Consider personal interests and values of students. Consider student diversity - age, gender, culture, language, and ability - when writing objectives.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS
Instructional materials must provide OPTIONS in the way information is PRESENTED. They must provide OPTIONS for students to EXPRESS what they know. Also, they must provide OPTIONS in the ways students can INTERACT with instructional materials.
- Present information in multiple formats, including text, graphics, audio, and video.
- Consider accepting alternative project formats: oral presentations, videos, newspaper articles, photo essays, radio documentaries, community research, web publications, etc.
- Provide captioning or transcripts for videos.
TEACHING METHODS
TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION
Teaching methods must provide options for building KNOWLEDGE. They must provide options for building SKILLS. And they must provide options for building MOTIVATION and ENGAGEMENT.
- Tie new concepts to prior knowledge.
- Learning is more than a spectator sport, make it active and participatory.
- Make learning relevant, draw on real-life examples when possible.
- Emphasize time on task. Require students to practice recalling and utilizing information.
- Help students determine how they learn.
- Create 'energy' during class (e.g. humor, anticipation, suspense) to increase attention and recall.
- Share your enthusiasm for the topic by citing personal experiences, related news, etc.
ASSESSMENT METHODS
TO ACCURATELY MEASURE PROGRESS
Assessments must accurately measure KNOWEDGE DEVELOPMENT, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, and EMOTIONAL (attidudinal) DEVELOPMENT.
- Consider alternatives to traditional quizzes and exams.
- Create a grading rubric and a set of examples of what constitutes quality work.
- Develop assessments directly from the objectives.
- Give prompt, ongoing, and instructive feedback to support learning and self-assessment.