Lesson 1: Identifying Learning Barriers
Materials
- A note collection tool (electronic document or notebook)
- A computer and Internet connection
Lesson Objective
Participants will define examples of learning barriers and will provide examples of how to achieve UDL in their classroom by eliminating these barriers.
What Are Learning Barriers?
- What do you think learning barriers are?
- What learning barriers do you think exist in classrooms today?
- How do you identify them in your classroom?
- How do you help learners defeat these barriers?
Please take a minute to post in this padlet before we begin the lesson.
Identifying Learning Barriers
According to CAST.org, learning barriers are present in the goals, methods, materials and assessments we present to our students. Educators must be mindful of how these resources alter the implementation of UDL.
Barriers in Goals:
- Goals should not be specific to “how” students will accomplish a learning objective but should be flexible to how they demonstrate this understanding. Due to this flexibility, educators have more choices in the materials and methods they use to achieve student learning.
Barriers in Methods:
- When considering our teaching methods, we should be cognizant of the learning context, such as specific groupings of students and the environment they are working in. Also, the presentation of format is essential to how students process and retain information. So, the instructional format greatly impacts student understanding. For example, having students listen to a lecture for a prolonged amount of time may not benefit all learners. Also, educators must consider what skills students require to participate in these environments. For example, when working cooperatively, students need social skills as well as self-regulation skills to successfully work together.
Barriers in Materials:
- Every single material we use in a classroom requires certain skills to access them. For example, some students have trouble holding a pencil or writing in the lines when using pencil and paper. When students are presented with a text, students must be able to decode it in a way that is comprehensive to them. When we present students with materials that they cannot make meaning with, this is a barrier to their learning.
Barriers in Assessments:
- When assessing student understanding, this should be done in a way that the student can be successful with and that they feel comfortable with completing. Providing students with choice of assessment and the opportunity to self-reflect is essential for student success and independence.
Learning Barrier Simulations
Please explore this student simulation called "Through Your Child's Eyes", which brings you through a day in the life of students with various academic and attention needs. Click on one or multiple simulations to experience how students are feeling when they try to complete academic tasks. You may also watch the student interviews, which share personal accounts of how they are feeling when working throughout their day.
After you have spent some time exploring these simulations, please reflect:
- How did you feel after completing these simulations?
- Did these simulations or interviews remind you of any of your students?
- Were you able to identify any learning barriers?
- Did you discover any solutions to these barriers?
Please post your reflections in this padlet! Please respond to at least two of the prompts.
Check Your Understanding
It's quiz time! Please participate in this quiz on potential learning barriers before moving on to the next lesson.
Onwards!
Once you have completed all the tasks for Lesson 1 please proceed to Lesson 2.
References
CAST.org