Engagement in UDL is the “why” of learning and focuses on motivating students. I learned that choice and relevance help increase student interest.  I plan to improve engagement by giving students more choice and connecting lessons to real-life examples.

 
Action and Expression focuses on how students show what they know. I learned that students should have different options like writing, speaking, or projects, to demonstrate learning.  I plan to offer more assessment options so students can demonstrate understanding in ways that fit their strengths.

UDL Representation is about how information is presented to learners. Students understand content differently, so using multiple formats like text, visuals, and audio helps improve access and understanding.  I plan to use more varied materials and supports to make learning more accessible for all students.

Having documentation such as support materials, notes and assessments can help instructors deliver quality results in student learning.  Teaching is dynamic, and so are the elements such as the ones described in this course.  Lesson plans, objectives and standards, lecture notes, assessments, technology and other support material should be used in an evolving manner, as the population of students change with each class of students, and over time during several years.  But it leads to an interesting, creative career, one that can fulfill an instructor personally and professionally

Learning objectives and standards help to make things clear in the classroom, for the students especially, and for the instructor as well.  They help establish better communication between the instructor and the students, and also help to develop a level of understanding between instructor and students so that everyone is clear on what is to be expected from the students.  Clear and concise objectives that are descriptive and thorough make for an easier, more productive classroom experience for everyone.  Thus allowing for maximum output in achieving the instructor's goals, and in terms of CTE hopefully helping the students earn their… >>>

Although I am familiar with most of these methods, a few, like "Catch up" were new to me.  It was helpful to have direct and indirect instruction broken down so clearly.  I really like the concept maps and although I am familiar with them, it occurred to me to use them in a new way after watching the video. 

Lesson plans are essential in classroom management, course structure, class preparation and being organized.  A teacher that becomes well versed is one who can feel for the population of students and their needs, along with having the ability to be flexible in case of time in the classroom being not as expected in actual teaching of the lesson.  Being able to anticipate any changes, be they small or noticeable, can be best done with a framework, and lesson plans help to provide that framework.  

Knowing ahead of time of what you are going to teach saves a lot of time,… >>>

Lesson planning is all about knowing who your students are.  Over time, as you create your plans and progress with your curriculum, you also have the chance to know your students more, to the point where you know their learning styles, their moods, their approaches to the material, and moreover their respective personalities.

This helps in crafting plans for lessons in a more dynamic way, a way that can be creative as it should be tailored to the particular group of students you have for the particular school year.  Effective lesson planning includes not just managing time well, but also… >>>

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) uses flexible methods to reach all learners. It removes barriers by providing multiple options for student engagement, information representation, and knowledge expression.