About the UDL Project
By Jana Nicol
The UDL Project is designed by teachers, for teachers. We began as a school-based team of elementary school teachers who were passionate about Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Our team was fortunate to receive a grant from the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) to complete an action research project on UDL in 2013-15. Our goal has been to implement Universal Design for Learning in our own practice to increase student engagement, and to inspire and guide other teachers who wish to implement UDL in their own classrooms. The action research project ended in 2015, and team members have continued to learn about and implement UDL in our classrooms.
Rationale for research
Research question
Goals
We will promote student engagement and increase teacher readiness for implementing UDL in classrooms by...
The UDL Project is designed by teachers, for teachers. We began as a school-based team of elementary school teachers who were passionate about Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Our team was fortunate to receive a grant from the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) to complete an action research project on UDL in 2013-15. Our goal has been to implement Universal Design for Learning in our own practice to increase student engagement, and to inspire and guide other teachers who wish to implement UDL in their own classrooms. The action research project ended in 2015, and team members have continued to learn about and implement UDL in our classrooms.
Rationale for research
- We would like to promote student engagement through the development of universally designed lessons.
- We would like to help increase teacher readiness for implementing UDL in their own practice.
Research question
- What tools will help facilitate teacher buy-in and the implementation of Universal Design for Learning to increase student engagement in elementary school classrooms?
Goals
We will promote student engagement and increase teacher readiness for implementing UDL in classrooms by...
- Making learning more engaging for students
- Creating a bank of lessons that follow the principles of UDL, which could serve as a starting point for other teachers who wish to apply the principles of UDL in their own practices (but may not be sure where to begin)
- Executing universally designed lessons in our classrooms, and evaluate their effectiveness through observations, feedback from students, and reflections
- Finding and creating tools to make it easier for teachers to implement UDL in the classroom, and sharing them with teachers on this website
Summary of action research and findings
You are welcome to download the essay, Universal Design for Learning Promotes Student Engagement. This essay was released in a joint publication by the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) and the University of New Brunswick (UNB). This essay outlines current research on Universal Design for Learning, and the methodology, findings, and recommendations of our team's action research project (which was undertaken from October 2013 - May 2014). The appendices feature the data collected from students and teachers throughout the project.
It is noted that team members have gradually incorporated more UDL into their teaching practices since beginning this project. Students have benefited from this shift, and are more engaged in learning as a result. Since then we have shared our findings with colleagues in our school, and we have made materials available to them that facilitates the implementation of UDL on a wider scale. They also have access to a library of UDL materials and readings in varying levels, including an electronic library of materials they can download. In addition, teachers everywhere have access to the lessons and materials on this website.
It is noted that team members have gradually incorporated more UDL into their teaching practices since beginning this project. Students have benefited from this shift, and are more engaged in learning as a result. Since then we have shared our findings with colleagues in our school, and we have made materials available to them that facilitates the implementation of UDL on a wider scale. They also have access to a library of UDL materials and readings in varying levels, including an electronic library of materials they can download. In addition, teachers everywhere have access to the lessons and materials on this website.
| UDL Action Research - Universal Design for Learning Promotes Student Engagement |
Action research recommendations
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Recommendations based on teacher data:
Schools should develop a bank of resources that support the implementation of Universal Design for Learning
Share UDL instructional materials and practices/Ideas with teachers
More time is needed for teachers to collaborate. Together they can plan lessons and find/create materials that will help them implement Universal Design for Learning in their own teaching practices |
Recommendations based on student data:
Promote Student inclusion and engagement
Incorporate technology into:
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The action research team at Island View School
IVS students and staff (2014)
Team members: Jana Nicol, Travis Carr, Katelyn Pettigrew, Trina Goguen
The action research team members at Island View School represented a diverse set of teaching assignments and levels of experience with UDL.
Our team included an administrator and a Methods & Resource teacher. All team members were also classroom teachers, teaching students from grades 2-5.
The action research team members at Island View School represented a diverse set of teaching assignments and levels of experience with UDL.
Our team included an administrator and a Methods & Resource teacher. All team members were also classroom teachers, teaching students from grades 2-5.
