Welcome to your next UDL Explorer Challenge Activity!
This challenge falls within the UDL Principle of Action and Expression.
Our Activity for You
To complete this activity, we are asking you to identify what types of media could be effectively used to provide more opportunities for learners to communicate or express their learning.
Why is This Important for UDL?
Students have different strengths. Some are great at writing; others excel at drawing/designing, and still, others are good at speaking. When you provide options, you create opportunities for greater equity.
This challenge is about providing multiple media options for communication, but it also ties in with engagement. When you provide options, you show students you care about who they are as individual learners.
Examples
Darryn DiFrancesco (Northern Lights College)’s response
In my sociology class, I decided to provide multiple options for students’ term projects, since my main goal to see how well they understand and can apply sociological concepts (i.e. I realized an essay was not necessary to do this). Students have the option to complete a book report, research essay, or media analysis. In addition, they may present their work in one of multiple formats including essay format, video, narrated PPT, podcast, or poster. So far, they seem enthusiastic about having so many choices. I am looking forward to seeing the final product!
As a side note, it is interesting that most student are choosing to write essays despite having so many options. It makes me think that students are accustomed to essays and choose this option because they cannot imagine how to carry out the assignment in another way. I think it will be important to start collecting examples of student work when it is presented in a creative format to give students ideas for how to execute projects in alternative formats.
Heidi’s response:
When my students are learning about tooth morphology, I give them various options to show me they understand the anatomy of a tooth by sculpting a tooth with clay, creating a video or PowerPoint that explains the anatomy, or finding an image where they can colour and label and describe the parts.
Explore
Learn more about the UDL principle of using multimedia for communication
Other resources for multimedia communication:
- The Centre for Teaching and Learning at Indiana University Bloomington has a comprehensive list of alternatives to traditional exams and papers
- Western University’s Centre for Teaching and Learning has some online and alternative assessment ideas that include great examples as well
Next Steps: Reflect and Implement
Think about the activity we just completed. What is one key takeaway or insight you gained from it? How did this activity enhance your understanding of the concept? Identify one action you can take to apply this new knowledge or skill in a real-world context.