Questions and Answers

http://www.cast.org/udl/index.html

“What is Universal Design for Learning? Why is UDL necessary? How does Universal Design for Learning help teachers in real classrooms? How does UDL help guarantee students equal opportunities to learn? How does UDL address the core principles of No Child Left Behind? I've seen the term universal design but not Universal Design for Learning. What is the difference? How can technology help teachers individualize teaching materials to make learning engaging and challenging for all students? How can the Internet and multimedia be used to individualize learning for students with varied backgrounds, learning styles, abilities and disabilities?” (CAST About UDL)

The above are all questions that are found on this portion of the CAST website that are found to be the most common questions presented. With these questions come answers. While CAST provides an answer to these questions I feel as though some of the answers do not go into enough detail to grant the reader/ viewer the most complete understanding of this new topic. Some of the questions are answered with a minimal bullet point response but not in much detail. I have found, through my research, that CAST does a great job at providing the necessary information and data to help any of its viewers gain a better understanding but this can only be done by reading the entire contents of the CAST website. If you rely solely on this one section you will be left with only a partial understanding. Seven questions are posted on this site. I don't know about you but when I first read the term UDL I had more than seven questions. And once I read the above questions, my mind started to wander beyond. It is imperative to not rely on one link but to allow it to lead you to the next. 

I would recommend viewing this site if you have specific questions that may be listed, or as a post or pre read to grasp the basic groundwork for what the reader would see while navigating this site. But I will add that this section will not allow you to feel a complete understanding. Some other sections that I would recommend viewing along with this current section are listed below.

http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines

http://www.cast.org/research/index.html

http://www.cast.org/learningtools/index.html

*The video below, taking from youtube, can also be found on the above CAST website. For those viewers looking for a better understanding and answers to different questions, this video may grant you that. 

Teaching Every Student

http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/

CAST, Center for Applied Special Technology, was founded in 1984 as a nonprofit organization. As a leading nonprofit organization in education, CAST works to advance learning opportunities and outcomes for all individuals through the Universal Design for Learning. CAST’s staff is comprised of a variety of specialists in education research and policy, neuropsychology, clinical/school psychology, technology, engineering, curriculum development, and K-12 development. The section titled “Teaching Every Student” is a place where teachers and other supporting educators in education can gain knowledge and a better understanding about the practices and principles of the Universal Design for Learning.  

Basics, Activities, Case Stories, Planning Using UDL, Training, and Model UDL Lessons for K-12 are all different components of this site to help facilitate the comfort in using UDL in the classroom. I have found this site to be helpful and user friendly. With so many activities and readings provided, I feel as though a new teacher could grasp this content rather easily. 

I completed “Your Three Brain Networks” activity. “When you view an image, all three brain networks are at work. Your recognition network rapidly identifies objects and discerns the overall context. Your strategic network determines how you examine the image and what information you will gain from it. And your affective network determines how long and how carefully you look. All three networks together determine what you actually see.” This was such a fun way to relate this information to myself and see how I best use my brain. I highly suggest you give it a try to see how your brain functions. Additionally, while the case stories have seemed a bit outdated, I always support the use of case studies to help the viewer/individual better relate to the content material. 

Overall, I would rate this site as one of the top sites to utilize when transitioning or looking for answers regarding UDL. With the wide variety of information provided in a variety of formats, all learners can access this site and accomplish their desired educational goals. 

UDL Guidelines

UDL Center Director David Rose leads the viewer through the UDL guidelines while providing a comprehensive basis of the principles and checkpoints for designing curriculum that supports the different learners in the classroom. The UDL guidelines are organized to posses the characteristics of the three main principles of UDL: representation, expression, and engagement. Not only do these guidelines help the students in the classroom but the teachers gain the opportunity to better assist their students and clearly identify any existing barriers that may found. This is a very useful video that provides a clear understanding and can be a great tool for the more visual and audio learners.