Multiple Means of Representation

UDL

Jul 24

This UDL guideline addresses the “what” of learning. Students perceive information in different ways, and then make connections or generalize knowledge in different ways. Some students prefer auditory information, some prefer reading or pictorial images, others prefer watching other people, and some may prefer trying out new information in a safe environment. Developing learning materials that allow for multimodal comprehension is inclusive of all learning needs.

Tips to support learning of information

Create learning environments and activities that:

Use graphic images. Use word clouds, pictures, diagrams, or drawings to stimulate discussion on complex or difficult content.
Change reading sources. Provide reading from news and current events, journal articles, websites, blog posts, texts, e-books, or written narratives. These sources of reading material provide different voices and viewpoints. Consider fiction and multiple written sources to facilitate comprehension rather than memorization.
Vary auditory communication styles. Podcasts, interviews, recorded lectures, and spoken narratives, either live or recorded, allow for varied methods of understanding.
Use guided questions. Discussions may be more productive if students understand how to identify key principles or learning objectives.
Support prior learning of vocabulary. Before using complex terms in class give students the foundational knowledge of those terms. Provide this through multiple sources and types of communication.
Activate background knowledge. Help students identify and use concepts taught in prior courses or class sessions. Re-visit those concepts through application, not just reiteration.