LibGuides: Universal Design for Learning Strategy Database: Expression &amp; Communication

Expression & Communication (UDL Guideline 5)

There is no medium of expression that is equally suited for all learners or for all kinds of communication. On the contrary, there are media that seem poorly suited for some kinds of expression and for some kinds of learning. It is important to provide multiple modalities for expression to reduce communication barriers and support learners to express knowledge, ideas, and concepts in the learning environment.

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Use multiple media for communication (Consideration 5.1)

Unless specific media and materials are critical to the goal (e.g., learning to paint specifically with oils, learning to hand write with calligraphy), it is important to welcome and encourage a variety of media for expression. Such variety reduces media-specific barriers to communication among learners with disabilities, honors forms of communication that have historically been devalued, and increases the opportunities for every learner to develop a wider range of expression in a media-rich world. For example, it is important for all learners to learn composition, not just writing, and to learn the optimal medium for any particular content of expression and audience.

Strategy
Compose in multiple media	Non-verbal expression: allow multilingual learners to demonstrate their understanding through images. For example, when studying the life cycle of the plant, allow them to draw and label the stages instead of reporting their understanding only orally. Choice of project format: such as text, speech, drawing, illustration, comics, storyboards, design, film, music, storytelling, dance/movement, visual art, sculpture, or video
Use physical manipulatives	Building blocks 3D models Base-ten blocks
Use social media and interactive web tools	Discussion forums Chats Web design Annotation tools Storyboards Comic Strips Animation Presentations Flipgrid Collaboration boards Jamboards
Solve problems using a variety of strategies

Use multiple tools for construction, composition, and creativity (Consideration 5.2)

Many schools/learning environments tend to focus on traditional tools to the exclusion of contemporary ones. Relying upon traditional tools has several liabilities: 1) it does not prepare learners for their future; 2) it limits the range of content and teaching methods that can be implemented; 3) it restricts learners’ ability to express knowledge about content; and, most importantly, 4) it restricts the kinds of learners who can be successful.

Current media tools provide a more flexible, creative, and accessible toolkit with which learners can more successfully take part in their learning and articulate what they know. Unless a goal is focused on learning to use a specific tool (e.g., learning to draw with a compass, learning a specific programming software), learning environments should embed a range of options for construction, composition, and creativity.

Strategy
Use spell checkers, grammar checkers, word prediction software.
Use speech-to-text software (voice recognition), human dictation, recording.
Use calculators, graphing calculators, geometric sketch-pads, or pre-formatted graph paper.
Use sentence starters or sentence strips.	Sentence Frames: Sentence frames are effective for students who need support in developing academic language. For students who are repeating simple sentences (I was happy to...I was happy to…), a sentence frame (One thing I enjoyed about the park was…) can help introduce new sentence types. Sentence frames can also support students who struggle with syntax. For example, students who are struggling with word order (writing things like “I liked the whale gray because…”), they can receive a sentence frame that begins, “I liked the gray whale because…”.
Use story webs, outlining tools, or concept mapping tools.
Use Computer-Aided-Design (CAD), music notation (writing) software, or mathematical notation software.
Use virtual or concrete mathematics manipulatives (e.g., base-10 blocks, algebra blocks).
Use web applications (e.g., collaborative applications, animation, presentation).

Build fluencies with graduated support for practice and performance (Consideration 5.3)

As learners work to develop a variety of fluencies (e.g., visual, audio, mathematical, reading, etc.), multiple scaffolds can assist them as they explore, experiment, practice, and develop confidence. Instead of emphasizing the end product, the most valuable learning can take place during the process itself. Learning environments can support the development of fluencies by embedding a variety of formative assessment opportunities as well as scaffolds that can be gradually released over time.

While engaging in the process of learning itself is critical, the end product or performance can also be a meaningful way to build fluencies, be it in the form of an essay or a dramatic production or some other form of expression. Overall, it is important to embed options that build learners’ fluencies for both practice and performance.

Strategy
Use differentiated models to emulate (i.e. models that demonstrate the same outcomes but use differing approaches, strategies, skills, etc.).	Three step interview: In the “Three Step Interview”, there are three roles: interviewer, interviewee, reporter. Students take turns assuming each role. There are many scenarios in which this interview process can reinforce learning. For example: The interviewee may take on a character from a book. The interviewer may ask questions to the character about their problem in the story and how they solved it. The reporter observes the interview and takes notes. The interviewee may take on the role of a scientist. The interviewer may ask questions to the scientist about the scientific method (or whatever science content is being taught). The reporter observes the interview and takes notes. Multiple models: Show multiple ways to: complete a math problem, craft a problem statement, write a persuasive essay
Use differentiated mentors (e.g., teachers/tutors who use different approaches to motivate, guide, feedback or inform).	Language models: It’s important for multilingual learners to have different language mentors. Ensure that multilingual learners have strong language modeling from teachers and peers who provide examples of different linguistic strengths and different means of feedback. Back and Forth: Partner A explains to their partner a problem, process, concept, etc., assigned by the teacher. Partner B writes down their partner’s explanation. Partner A checks Partner B’s writing for accuracy, making sure Partner B has captured their explanation correctly and that they both agree on the response. Students reverse roles with another problem, process, concept, etc., so that Partner B has the opportunity to explain verbally. Partner A records the explanation and Partner B checks for accuracy.(Aligned to Speaking/Listening standards) Purposeful pairing for inside/outside circles: In this strategy, students are arranged into two equal circles, one inside the other. Students from the smaller inside circle face those in the outer larger circle.. Students ask each other questions about a review topic. These may be either teacher or student generated. Students from one of the circles rotate to either the left or right. The teacher determines how many steps and in which direction. Another question is asked and answered. Teachers can pair students in different ways to provide differentiated language mentors.
Use scaffolds that can be gradually released with increasing independence and skills (e.g., embedded into digital reading and writing software).	Scaffolded sentence frames: Provide multilingual learners with a strong model of the expectations for language. For example, model the expectations for answering questions in complete sentences by providing a sentence frame for the first question. Then, allow multilingual learners to complete the rest of the questions independently. Oral language rehearsals: In order to provide multilingual learners with opportunities to practice oral language before writing or high stakes speaking (presentations), it is essential that teachers provide opportunities to practice language in stress free situations like turn and talks or one on one rehearsals with the teacher.
Use differentiated feedback (e.g., feedback that is accessible because it can be customized to individual learners).	Private corrections/model correct language: Ensure that you are not overcorrecting the language of multilingual learners. In order to reduce the stress of being publicly corrected, ensure that language corrections are specific to the needs of the students and done privately. Teachers should model the correct language, not emphasize the correction.
Use multiple examples of novel solutions to authentic problem.

Address biases related to modes of expression and communication (Consideration 5.4)

Too often, individual and systemic biases devalue certain forms of expression and communication and prioritize others. For example, many schools and institutions of higher education consider text-based forms of communication as more rigorous than other forms of communication; storytelling is central to Indigenous communities as a way to pass on knowledge from one generation to the next, yet oral traditions have historically been silenced or ignored; and closed captioning is often prioritized over sign languages. Honoring and valuing multiple forms of expression and communication is critical to designing inclusive and equitable learning environments.

Strategy
Anticipate and explore how bias can influence the modes of expression and communication that are offered.
Anticipate and explore how bias can influence the ways modes of expression and communication are selected.
Communicate in multiple ways how modes of expression that align with the goal are equally valued.