Universal Design for Learning Classroom Supports
Learning Centers
Print & Audio Books
Mobile Technologies
Teacher as Coach
Student Learning Centers
Learning centers can be designed to give students diverse ways to explore the curriculum content and to provide options for engagement such as computer based instruction, project based learning, research, and assessment practice. Learning centers also support peer learning groups and cooperative learning activities where students develop skills in interacting and learning from each other.
Print & Audio Books
Being able to read and hear content, instructional materials, and related content can help all students become proficient with grade level standards. Audio books and text-to-speech can help students who struggle with print fluency but have high audio fluency and verbal recall. These options can also help students who are learning English; providing options for hearing vocabulary words and making connections between languages.
Mobile Technologies
With print and audio instructional materials available anywhere and at any time, students can engage and practice with curriculum content in a variety of settings in the school, home, and community. Because mobile technologies can easily record audio, students who struggle with writing have the option of being able to record their ideas and work as well as use speech-to-text apps to write.
Teacher as Learning Coach
Teachers should model internal questioning and set the stage for students to engage in problem solving and analytical thinking. Guided practice is also needed on the most effective ways to use technology tools, such as audio support tools, for reading, word recognition and vocabulary, writing, and math. With the teacher as a learning coach, students can become expert learners who self-progress monitor and make choices on how to best increase their learning gains.