UDL & Blended Learning

by Katie Novak & Catlin R. Tucker

Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash

This article summarizes the ideas contained in the book UDL and Blended Learning. This reading follows on from a previous article that argued schools need to be redefined in order to better prepare students (see The Classroom Has to Go). The premise is the world of work is not what it used to be, and the jobs students will have in the future likely do not yet exist. Schools, therefore, should be less about topics and subjects, and more about learning to learn; becoming someone who is flexible, adaptable, able to communicate, independent, driven, creative, and a critical thinker.

Introduction & Chapter One-Two-Three

• USA standardized scores lower in 2019 then in 2017
• 2/3 students do not see relevance of what they are learning (unmotivated)
• UDL Universal Design for Learning
  - premise is all learners are capable of the same competency
  - removing barriers
  - multiple means of: engagement, representation, expression

UDL is not so much what you do, but what you believe.

• FOUR BLENDED MODELS: On a spectrum from the teacher being the primary driver to the student (learner) being the primary driver, where students have control over: TIME, PLACE, PACE, AND PATH
  1. Whole group rotations: teacher teachers-students work…