Archive for May, 2016

In a discussion about a prospective workshop for middle school students, I learned about UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and the implementation at a school in New Hampshire. In a web search, I found the National Center on Universal Design for Learning web site. This approach asks some interesting questions with regards to providing education for a broad range of learners.

In the framework, UDL is represented by:

Recognition Networks: The “what” of learning
Strategic Networks: The “how” of learning
Affective Networks: The “why” of learning

Each one relates to a broad approach including:

Representation – related to delivery
Action & Expression – related to organization and timing
Engagement – related to motivation and mindset

Overall, there is a lot to like about these educational concepts and they do allow an appreciation of how poor US education generally is presently. This relates to the problems highlighted in “Race to Nowhere” and the decay particularly in pre-university education.