Welcome to your next UDL Explorer Challenge Activity!
This activity falls within the UDL Principle of Action and Expression.
Our Challenge for You
To complete this activity, we are asking you to discuss how capacity could be increased for learners to monitor their own progress. Think of one additional change in your course that would allow students more space to self-assess.
There are many options to choose from, including self-reflection, peer review, progress charts, rubrics, checklists, and one-on-one meetings.
Why Is This Important for UDL?
Enhancing capacity for monitoring progress is connected to feedback. Through feedback, the instructor and student can understand what is working well and identify areas for improvement. According to CAST, feedback should be explicit, timely, informative, and accessible.
Examples
Samantha Sullivan Sauer’s (Georgian College Of Applied Arts and Technology) response:
Although my courses have recommended practice (science/math based), I know that students don’t typically complete it due to busy schedules. So, to support their progress we have quizzes roughly every two weeks. With these quizzes, they are open notes and I get them graded with feedback and returned very quickly. The feedback always includes corrections or suggestions so that students can learn where they went off track. Although the quizzes run on a set day, the time frame is open for 24 hours and students are given significantly more time than the quiz should take. I post reminders ahead of quizzes and reach out to those who haven’t started by the end of my working day. I also offer support when needed via email or video chat.
I also try to do a check in at the start of every class. Just a short open discussion about how classes in general are going. From this, more than a few times, we have adjusted our deadlines or test dates to help lighten stressful weeks.
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. In my course we have a lot of clinical competencies, so we set up an opportunity for students to meet with us one on one at the midterm point to discuss areas where they might need support. Asking them to identify areas for improvement helps give them the capcity to monitor their progress and determine the supports they need to succeed.
Explore
Learn more about the UDL principle about using multimedia for communication
The Centre for Teaching and Learning at Indiana University Bloomington has a comprehensive list of alternatives to traditional exams and papers
Next Steps: Reflect and Integrate
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.