Instructional Strategies
Strategic Instruction refers to the
practice of teaching students how to use a
variety of tools and processes to learn. It is
teaching HOW to learn as well as WHAT
to learn.
Research tells us that students who are
successful learners have incorporated
learning strategies into their behavior.
Students with learning challenges may
need to be instructed on these strategies
more specifically in order to incorporate
them but in fact, ALL students benefit from
strategic instruction.
Some of the specific strategies that
have been shown to be successful are:

Increasing multi-modal delivery means offering instruction to as many
senses as possible.

Using mnemonics - Research tells us
that the most successful ones are
created by the student because the
more personalized and meaningful the
mnemonic is the more effective it will
be.

Graphic Organizers - these are any
kind of drawing, chart or spatial
representative of information that helps
a student to learn.
Use of specific UDL strategies recognizes
students' varying background knowledge,
readiness, language, preferences in
learning and interests; and supports
faculty to react responsively.
UDL strategies support students of
differing abilities in the same class. The
approach serves to maximize each
student's growth and individual success by
meeting each student where he or she is
and assisting in the learning process.
Quotes from students in UDL
supported classrooms:
Online access to PowerPoint
presentations before class really helps
with my understanding of the chapters.
Universal Design
for Learning
Having access to technology helps me
learn and retain the information.
Participating in a variety of activities
really helps support my learning style.
I love color-coded handouts! They
help me organize.
Having “tools” available in the
classroom (magnifiers, reading glasses
and colored pens, etc.) supports my
participation
Having a supportive, accessible
environment for learning is engaging
Learning about my learning style has
helped me identify new ways to study!
Additional UDL Resources:
www.cast.org/
www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/
Universal/
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/Adult
Ed/disaccess.html
http://webs.rtc.edu/UDL
Information compiled and adapted by:
Ardene Niemer
Renton Technical College
3000 NE 4th Street
Renton, WA 98056
425.235.2352
4/2010
Assisting all learners to gain
knowledge, skills, and
enthusiasm…
WHAT IS
UNIVERSAL
DESIGN FOR
LEARNING?
Universal Design is “the design of
products and environments to be
usable by all people, to the greatest
extent possible, without the need for
adaptation or specialized design”
(The Center for Universal Design,
1997).
Recent research in neuroscience
shows that each brain processes
information differently. The way we
learn is as individual as DNA or
fingerprints.
Principles guiding UDL include:
1. Fair and accessible use
2. Flexibility in use, participation and
presentation
3. Straightforward and consistent
4. Information is explicitly presented
and readily perceived
5. Supportive learning environment
6. Minimize or eliminate unnecessary
physical effort or requirements
7. Learning space accommodates
both students and methods
BENEFITS TO STUDENTS
Universal Design for Learning
calls for ...
Multiple means of representation, to
give learners various ways of
acquiring information and knowledge,
Multiple means of action and
expression, to provide learners
alternatives for demonstrating what
they know,
Multiple means of engagement, to
tap into learners' interests, offer
appropriate challenges, and increase
motivation.
BENEFITS TO STUDENTS AND
FACULTY
UDL principles help educators
customize their teaching for
individual differences in the three
brain networks:
Recognition networks
Gathering facts. How we identify and
categorize what we see, hear, and
read—the "what" of learning.
Strategic networks
Planning and performing tasks. How
we organize and express our ideas—
the "how" of learning.
BENEFITS TO FACULTY
A universally-designed curriculum
offers the following:




It's consistent with and promotes
achievement of the principle of
learner-centeredness
It reduces the need for special
accommodations and helps us
meet goals for accessibility for
our learners. UDL contributes to
a more equitable, inclusive
environment by reducing time
spent by students, instructors and
staff to seek support
accommodations.
It's consistent with universallyrecognized principles of good
teaching,
It's been shown to create
conditions conducive for learning
Affective networks
How students are engaged and
motivated—the "why" of learning.
Flexible digital media makes it
easier than ever to provide
multiple alternatives and
therefore customize teaching
and learning.