Planning Instruction Literature Review

Planning Instruction and Designing Learning

Experiences for Students Literature Review
Andrew Lopez
National University

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for

TED 690- Capstone Course
Professor Clifton Johnson
May 2016

Planning Instruction Literature Review

Abstract
In this paper I will discuss the importance of planning instruction
and designing learning experience for students. I will review Eva Chens,
from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, article The Importance of Universal
Design for Learning. I will explain what UDL means and why its effective for students. I
will discuss the three principles and how they apply to everyone. I will also discuss how
technology can be used as a tool in planning instruction.

Planning Instruction Literature Review

As a teacher it is imperative that we meet every students needs. Teachers have to

find ways to help understand concept and be able to show evidence that they truly
understand the concepts. The Common Core State Standards are requiring educators to
teach concepts so thoroughly that students are able to explain their understanding of the
concepts. After reading the article, The Importance of Universal Design for Learning by
the Harvard Graduate School of Education, I got a better understanding of the importance
of instructional planning and designing learning experiences for students. It has always
been thought that when students are having difficulty learning its because they have
some sort of problem. Whether its because they cant read, they have a learning
disability, or they just arent paying attention, we have been made to believe that its the
students fault. Harvard Graduate School of Education Lecturer David Rose, the chief
education officer of the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), believes that its
not the students that have disabilities but actually the curriculum itself. Rose began to
realize that the curriculum was at fault as he conducted studies with neuropsychologists
at the North Shore Children's Hospital of children who were performing poorly in school.
He noticed that the problem was generally not the students but the curriculum wasnt
meeting the needs of all the students. He then created the idea of Universal Design
Learning (UDL).
UDL is intended to support every child in a class by eliminating barriers in the
design of the learning environment to make curriculum accessible for all (Chenn 2008).
The UDL has 3 main principles, which are: multiple means of representation, multiple
means of expression, and multiple means of engagement. Multiple means of
representation means that learners are provided with different ways to learn information.

Planning Instruction Literature Review

Multiple means of expression means to provide learners with different ways to
demonstrate their understanding. Multiple means of engagement means to learn the
learners' interests, offer appropriate challenges, and increase motivation. UDL helps
avoid a standardized school environment.
Rose also mentions that in todays day and age, using technology to support
access and ability is an effective tool. Its effective because it allows students to learn
content in various ways. An example of technology they gave was the Scholastics
software program WiggleWorks. WiggleWorks contains children's books with many
built-in tools and activities to support the reading and writing process. Even though
technology is a useful tool it isnt necessary to follow the UDL principles.

Planning Instruction Literature Review

Resources
Chenn, E. (2008, December 20). The Importance of Universal Design for Learning.
Retrieved June 5, 2014, fromhttps://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/
uk/08/12/importance-universal-design-learning