How much do you know about Universal Design for Learning, or UDL? Before joining the UDL with Technology cohort at Elkhart Community Schools, I thought I knew what Universal Design for Learning was—but this experience deepened my understanding in ways that directly impacted my English Language Learners.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to teaching and learning that gives all students equal opportunity to succeed. To understand what UDL is, it helps to understand what it’s not. The word universal may throw you off. It may sound like UDL is about finding one way to teach all students. But UDL actually takes the opposite approach. The goal of UDL is to use a variety of teaching methods to remove any barriers to learning. It’s about building in flexibility that can be adjusted for every person’s strengths and needs. That’s why UDL benefits all learners.

www.understood.org

Through my experience in the UDL (Universal Design for Learning) cohort, I discovered how closely UDL aligns with effective strategies for supporting English Language Learners. If you work with any students who are learning English, reading about my experience with the UDL cohort, could greatly benefit you.

Why I Joined the UDL Tech Cohort

When I received the email with the invitation to join the UDL with technology cohort, I jumped at the chance because my greatest skill gap is most likely in the area of technology.

I wanted to improve my skills so that I could be more confident using technology in the classroom to benefit my students. 

Hands-On Support and Mentorship

Beth and Billie Jo set up our meetings to be very interactive and hands-on with a great variety of resources to accomplish the objective. I always felt like I was able to immediately put into practice what I had learned and that I was prepared to share my knowledge with other educators. 

Additionally, Billie Jo often came in person to our school, so I was able to build on what I had learned and check-in with her regarding the activities implemented into the classroom.

Real Classroom Impact

On one occasion, Billie Jo came into my classroom and modeled how to create videos using the Clips app with a group of 2nd grade students. She also helped me get Apple Classroom to work in tandem with the lesson.

How UDL Tools Empower our English Learners

I can’t emphasize enough how beneficial this experience of being in the UDL cohort was and I encourage any educator to take advantage of the resources available to us in the Instructional Technology Department. Our ESL students can greatly benefit by being given the opportunity to share their ideas in alternative ways using technology, such as speaking into the microphone instead of typing the text. They also can demonstrate their understanding using photos or drawing pictures using the Logitech Crayon.

Logitech Crayon supports Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by providing flexible and adaptable digital tools for students of all learning styles. It allows students to engage with content in various ways, enhancing understanding and access to learning materials. Did you know that every library in Elkhart Community Schools a set of Logitech Crayons to check out for student use?

Skills I Gained (and Shared!) Through the Cohort

Through this cohort opportunity, I was able to learn practical skills such as using the accessibility tools on our ipad, gamifying assessments to increase student interest, creating a variety of digital books with both Book Creator andPages, making my own GIF, documenting and recording our Garden Tower project using the Clips app, and showing other teachers in the building what I had learned. 

My favorite moment occurred when I gave the students the assignment to create a Clip video talking about what they like to do. The results were amazing and I learned more about the students in that one clip than any other moment of the year. The best part is that when the student returned to class, the classroom immediately noticed a difference. The student raised his hand, answered a question, and excitedly showed the teacher his video.

You Can Do This Too!

Many times teachers get discouraged and don’t feel comfortable using new technology or resources, but we have a whole department available to help. That’s their job and they do it well. I have been greatly helped in my classroom by this department and I believe that you can be too! Take a step and try something new today. You and your students will be glad you did!

Take that first step—try something new with the support of our Elkhart Instructional Technology team. Your students will thank you, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve together.