Wednesday, February 20, 2008

First Inter-class Connections

I will post more on this later, but for now, I want to note that I have started seeing Universal Design connections in my other classes, especially Tina Grotzer's Applying Cognitive Science to Learning and Instruction. I saw plenty of crossover between UDL and the Teaching for Understanding framework. As I said, more to come...

1 comment:

Laurel said...

As I posted before, I want to note that I have started seeing Universal Design connections in my other classes, especially Tina Grotzer's Applying Cognitive Science to Learning and Instruction. I saw plenty of crossover between UDL and the Teaching for Understanding framework, for example.

Teaching for Understanding is comprised of four steps: Generative Topics, Understanding Goals, Performances of Understanding, and Ongoing Assessment. I saw Universal Design connect most with Performances of Understanding. The Performances themselves are organized at different levels (acc. to Stone-Wiske) to allow scaffolding of concepts, and at the first level of connection with a topic, learners are allowed to "mess about" using whatever background knowledge and experience they have to demonstrate understanding.

Another connecting thought: Stone-Wiske characterizes Performances of Understanding as approachable yet challenging tasks (1998). Isn't this what Universal Design strives to make all learning activities?
I love synthesis...