What is Teaching to Diversity?

Teaching to Diversity is also referred to as Universal Design for Learning.  The goal of UDL is to provide every child in the classroom with the tools, support and encouragement to succeed and excel today and tomorrow. One teaching style can not meet the needs of all learners.  A UDL curriculum supports multiple methods of representation, engagement and expression to promote learning for ALL students. Flexibility is one of the UDL corner stones to reduce limitations and empower students to make decisions. Univeral Design for Learning Guidelines provides a summary of the UDL guiding principles.                                                                                                                                                       

A common question is how is UDL different than Assistive Technology? Assistive technolgy is technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.  Universal Design for Learning embraces multiple modalities of teaching to increase access for all learners.  It provides choice and flexibility of representation, engagement, and assessment.  Assistive technology may be one component of UDL.    

The following is a beginning list of UDL resources I have used to support students in their learning.   The information is organized in two parts.

1.  general online resources and

2.  descriptions of specific low tech tools & related links.