Saturday, June 8, 2013

A Little More on UDL: CAST.com

For my previous blog I discussed the significance of UDL and the three principles.  The UDL Wiki Site had a lot of great information.  As I review the Wiki Site, I realized CAST.com was often mentioned,  so I decided to review CAST.com to expand my understanding of UDL.   



The people at CAST discuss the three UDL principles from a neuroscience viewpoint.  This is important to educators because understanding how the brain learns enables us to prepare "brain-friendly" lessons and assessments.  I appreciate neurological explanation because the scientific reasoning provides a solid foundation to UDL philosophy.  As I reviewed the information I connected the ideas to the Information Processing Model.  This model suggests we learn by taking new stimuli, utilizing the information in the short-term memory and creating networks of information in the long-term memory.  

Recognition Networks are the 'what' of learning and this applies to the Representation principle.  The recognition networks are activated when new stimuli are introduced.  My goal as a teacher is to the represent information in a variety of formats and to include the five sense in the learning process in order to help my students develop a rich network of information.

Strategic Networks are the 'how' of learning and applies to the UDL Expression principle.  Strategic networks are activated when students apply and practice materials. By allowing my students to relate and apply new concepts and skills to their lives they will bee more likely to retain the information.

Active Networks are the 'why' of learning and applies to the Engagement.  Research indictes happy students learn! As educators we need to find materials that our students are interested in or we need to help them become curious about the materials. I know I will to keep my anticipatory set fun, integrating and ACCESSIBLE!

As educators our goal is to provided students with a wealth of information that will allow them to succeed in their life endeavors. We cannot neglect how the brain function as we plan activities for our students.  

I mentioned the Information Processing Theory above, to learn more about the model and understand how it can be applied click here. 

References:
Cast: About UDL. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.cast.org/udl/index.html
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2 comments:

  1. ETJune 10, 2013 at 5:22 PM

    Even as a psychology major as an undergraduate, the Information Processing Theory was always one I struggled to fully understand. I understand the four pillars in the theory but sometimes get confused on the connections they make. I have to re-look at it every time I speak about it. The connection you made between they theory and the UDL networks in the cast actually help me have a deeper understanding of the theory. Way to go Jamie Lee, thanks!

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  2. CJacksonJune 12, 2013 at 6:04 AM

    Good job on the connection made between the theory and UDL networks in the cast, I grasped more of the theory as well. We learn best when there is a solid connection to attach our thoughts. Thanks!

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