Ensure materials and resources are flexibly designed and accessible to all
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Planning using UDL in primary settings’
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Utilise technologies
Utilise technologies
Primary teacher, Linda Ojala describes her inclusive approach to using digital technologies to meet the wide and varied needs of students.
Digital text supports access and preferences
Digital text supports access and preferences
- adjusted so that the style, size, and colour of fronts are the best fit for the student
- converted to speech using text-to-speech tools, these can help students who need support with reading, prefer to listen to information rather than (or in addition to) looking at it, or who use it to help with editing
- hyperlinked to definitions and background information; these can help students with new vocabulary, with comprehension, and can provide background knowledge when the subject is unfamiliar
- easily linked to and from online environments and documents
- accessed collaboratively, edited anytime or anywhere.
Offer options for expression
Offer options for expression
Having flexible materials and tools allows Daniel to learn and participate in a way that works best for him.
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Suggestions for using text-to-speech
Suggestions for using text-to-speech
Encourage the use of text-to-speech across the curriculum.
- Listen and read along with unfamiliar texts to develop reading fluency.
- Access texts beyond the students’ reading level.
- Listen to audio while doing another activity, such as exercise, travelling, or resting the eyes.
- When editing writing, select sections of text and listen back for errors and fluency.
Reflection questions
Reflection questions
Consider the following questions in your own context.
- How do I provide varied accessible media to present concepts and content?
- In what ways do I invite student feedback on the usefulness and accessibility of materials?
- Do I offer graphic organisers, rubrics, checklists, templates with varying amounts of content to help students to organise and document thinking?
- Do I prepare materials and media designed with varied levels of challenge and make them available to all students?
- Are the materials I offer relevant to students' lives?
Source: Adapted from CAST UDL curriculum self-check (opens in a new tab/window)
Useful resources
Useful resources
Do’s and don’ts on designing for accessibility
Read time: 34 min
A set of six posters with general guidelines for designing accessible web content. These posters are also useful considerations for general classroom planning and content design.
Publisher: United Kingdom Government
Readwritethink
This online resource offers a range of graphic organisers and online interactive tools for teachers.
Publisher: International Literacy Association
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Design considerations in primary settings”:
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Current page Ensure materials are flexible and accessible
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Design assessments to enable students to demonstrate their understanding
Return to the guide “Universal Design for Learning”
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Universal Design for Learning
Understand:
- Why UDL is valuable
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Find out about UDLShow suggestions for Find out about UDL
Strategies for action:
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Provide multiple means of EngagementShow suggestions for Provide multiple means of Engagement
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Provide multiple means of RepresentationShow suggestions for Provide multiple means of Representation
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Provide multiple means of Action and ExpressionShow suggestions for Provide multiple means of Action and Expression
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How to plan using UDLShow suggestions for How to plan using UDL
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Design considerations in primary settingsShow suggestions for Design considerations in primary settings
- Prepare environments for flexibility
- Refine and support goal setting
- Match teaching methods to student preferences
- Ensure materials are flexible and accessible
- Design assessments to enable students to demonstrate their understanding
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Design considerations in secondary settingsShow suggestions for Design considerations in secondary settings
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Design considerations in NCEA assessmentsShow suggestions for Design considerations in NCEA assessments
