Incorporating UDL into my GAME plan

How to incorporate Universal Design for Learning (“UDL”) into my G.A.M.E. plan…

I am continuing to focus on ISTE Indicator 4(b) which states that teachers must “address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.” This is one of my intended learning strategies.

In order to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate this part of my personal GAME plan, I need to first consider what units will be covered next year; which short stories, which nonfiction texts, and which poems will I use. I need to reflect on my essential understandings for each unit, as well as which indicators are being met. Our district is fortunate enough to have a curriculum map in place; however, every year I must reflect on what did and did not work in my classroom. In addition to the traditional year-end wrap-up, this year will be uniquely different as I plan for the incorporation of UDL strategies into my G.A.M.E. plan.

Desired Resources: I will need online resources to help me learn new ways to address the needs of all learners. I would like to have more time to collaborate with our district’s intervention specialists to learn new strategies. In addition, I would like to learn more about UDL - do they recommend resources? I would like to have access to assistant technologies such as visual tools, language tools, voice recognition tools, and organizational tools. Finally, I would like to find what I consider gold mine resources for teachers of the language arts: online tutorials that meet State indicators, webquests with differention, and more.

What I would like to know more about: I want to know more about where to find age appropriate high-interest, various reading leveled texts. I want to know more about how to use blogs, wikis, and podcasting within the school – we just recently upgraded our computer systems and should be able to have these capabilities in the near future. I will definitely need someone to demonstrate how these work within our school, as well as time to practice. I would like to know more about what capabilities for differentiation our current MAC computer systems offer. Finally, I would like to more about how to use the software more effectively to help all learners.

Steps I have taken so far: I became the squeaky wheel this year with our technology department. It was upon my insistence – which included various meetings with the superintendent and technology heads, conducting and posting the results of student surveys, and many, many follow-up phone calls and emails, that we now have this new module installed within our computer systems that will allow us to use more 21st century skills with our students. I would also include my master’s classes as steps I have taken so far. I cannot say enough about how my eyes have been opened to these new skills through my experiences with Walden.

Lori
9th grade English

References:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Meeting students’ needs with technology, Part two. Baltimore: Author.