Refine and support goal setting
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Planning using UDL in intermediate and secondary settings’
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Increase relevance and authenticity
Increase relevance and authenticity
Wayne Robinson outlines how he ensures students understand the purpose of a task and how it connects to real life.
Check for hidden barriers
Check for hidden barriers
Barriers to achivement can be hidden in the way we communicate goals or learning intentions.
Example of an assignment:
Students will be able to write a report about how ways to increase birdlife at school.
This is two tasks in one: write a report and demonstrate understanding about birdlife in the local area.
When setting goals (intentions):
- identify the purpose and make explicit will be assessed
- check for hidden barriers to achievement
- if possible offer students flexible ways to demonstrate understanding
- if a skill such as “write” is included in the goal, ensure supports such as text-to-speech, graphic organisers, word prediction are offered to all students.
Source: Adapted from Goal-based design and the BC curriculum (opens in a new tab/window)
Support individual goal setting
Support individual goal setting
Give students consistent, meaningful reminders to help them set goals, organise themselves, and make a plan.
Explore more suggestions on Goalbook Toolkit.
- Provide models or examples of the planning process.
- Provide guides and checklists for scaffolding goal-setting.
- Post goals, objectives, and schedules in an obvious place.
- Involve students in creating what the outcome might look like.
- Break the process up into small steps with visual, video, and verbal supports.
- Offer problem solving checklists.
Reflection questions
Reflection questions
Consider these questions for your own context.
- How do I present learning goals and objectives in varied and flexible ways to support engagement and understanding?
- How do I ensure students understand the purpose AND value of an activity?
- How do I make sure students don’t confuse the goal with the means of achieving it?
- How do I offer varied and flexible pathways to success?
Source: Adapted from CAST UDL curriculum self-check (opens in a new tab/window)
Useful resources
Useful resources
Top 10 UDL tips for developing learning goals
A downloadable PDF from CAST with ten tips about learning goals from a UDL perspective
Download PDF
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Design considerations in secondary settings”:
Return to the guide “Universal Design for Learning”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Behaviour and learning
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Commit to whole-school approachesShow suggestions for Commit to whole-school approaches
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Foster relationships and partnershipsShow suggestions for Foster relationships and partnerships
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Design learning for allShow suggestions for Design learning for all
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Foster wellbeing and mental healthShow suggestions for Foster wellbeing and mental health
- Use trauma-informed practices
- Prioritise wellbeing
- Support mental health
- Teach relaxation techniques
- Teach coping strategies
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Embed social and emotional learningShow suggestions for Embed social and emotional learning
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Be proactiveShow suggestions for Be proactive
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Respond in challenging situationsShow suggestions for Respond in challenging situations
