UDL Principle: Provide Multiple Means of Engagement (The Why of Learning)

 

When you think about student engagement, what comes to mind? Being attentive? Being interested or enthusiastic? Active participation? The affective network of the brain is a primary area where we judge the value of something. Since all students are different, what causes one student to value learning may not work with another student. So students need options or choices in order to find a path to engagement that works for them.

 

Ways to provide flexibility in engagement include:

• Options for recruiting interest.
• Options for sustaining effort/persistence.
• Options for self-regulation.

 

Examples of flexibility in engagement include:

• Allowing students to choose topics and viewpoints to research.
• Making assignments with a high level of relevance for each student.
• Hands-on activities, robotics, simulations, and immersive virtual worlds.
• Collaborative activities to help students connect with and work with others.
• Providing time and tools for self-assessment and reflection activities.

 

​

Exploration

• My Hero - http://www.myhero.com/go/home.asp . support reading and writing by allowing students to choose their heroes and to contribute information
• Faces of Learning - http://www.facesoflearning.net/ . helping students think about how and why they learn through stories from other learners
• Setting Goals - http://bit.ly/1TDn0gN . a collection of free worksheets that students can use to set goals
• June 2018 Edition of the AT & UDL Newsletter - https://conta.cc/2KsOn0x . this edition includes several resources on decision making.