Minimizing Modifications for Individual Students

This discussion is an opportunity for you to apply the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in relationship to constructivism and meeting the needs of all students. To prepare for this discussion, aside from reviewing the Week Four Instructor Guidance, you will need to view the video UDL Minimizes modifications for individual students at the CAST website. To view the video, you will need to sign up for a free CAST account.

Initial Post: Create an initial response that addresses the following areas.

a. Evaluate how the video has strengthened or otherwise changed your views about differentiated instruction? Do you have a deeper understanding and appreciation for differentiated instruction now? Why/ Why not?

b. Analyze the benefits for both students and the teacher when instruction follows the UDL framework when compared to the practice of isolating learners and planning for specific modifications for individual students.

c. Discuss what you learned in the video about setting up a non-threatening learning environment that does not isolate students. For example, what connections can you make between this and what you observed when analyzing the lesson during Week Three and when evaluating the example or resource in the Week Four Discussion 1.