Applying Universal Design for Learn Principals to Virtual Learning
Universal Design for Learning is a set of principles that seek to ensure that every learner is able to access education on an equal playing field. These principles are relatively easy to apply in a traditional academic setting, with a bit of effort and creativity, and I think that they can be applied just as easily in a virtual setting. The focus, for the purposes of this post, will be on how to apply these principles to a Zoom class, but I think much of this will be able to be applied more broadly within the realm of virtual education.
All children are different, but here are some almost universally applicable principals of parenting that can help make for a much smoother journey for you and your child.
1. Keep things simple and predictable.
Make minimalism your best friend. Organizing, arranging, and remembering “stuff” takes up so much mental space for a person with EF issues. Reduce as much clutter as you can, and maintain a simple, organized space. It really is worth the effort.
Limit the decisions that your children need to make on a daily basis. Decisions can be very taxing on executive function. You can create a stream-lined lifestyle and a rhythm to your days. It does not need to be an exact schedule but simply a flow that lets your kids know what to expect and when.
Limit the busyness. Don’t overtax your kids (nor yourself!) with more excess activities and relationships than they can manage.
Teach mindfulness principals, and create a daily time to practice being mindful (or meditative, prayerful, calm). https://www.mindfulschools.org/resources/explore-mindful-resources/
Click for more…
Yesterday was our first day at attempting social distancing, and I have to say, it was not easy!! We are already “officially” homeschoolers, but both of my kids attend private schools 2 day per week and are also involved in classes, extracurriculars, and therapies literally every single day. So homeschooling does not equal social distancing on a regular basis for us.
The fortunate thing about us already homeschooling, of course, is that we didn’t have to scramble to figure out flex work schedules, child care, or working from home. And we already have curriculums and educational materials stocked up. I can’t imagine the amount of overwhelm many families are experiencing right now trying to figure out how to have their children home from school unexpectedly for anywhere from a week to the remainder of the school year.
I am hoping that this short guide can be helpful as you get started, especially if you are having to weather this change with neurodivergent children.
Click for more…
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a significant role in the human experience of pleasure, motivation, and learning. It helps to boost our moods, enhances attention, and even helps to regulate movement and activity. It is released when we get a reward or when we are expecting a reward of some kind. When we listen to a favorite song, eat a favorite snack, or purchase something that we’ve really been wanting, we are rewarded with a release of dopamine, and that feels really good. It keeps us going and makes us want to do those rewarding activities again. Even when we attend to something that we find particularly boring, such as doing our taxes or cleaning a bathroom, most of us have enough dopamine to keep some level of motivation. We know that we need to complete the tasks, although they are not our favorites. And so dopamine boosts our motivation and keeps us chugging along.
Click for more…