Using AI to Support Universal Design for Learning in Elementary School

In my pre-K to 6 elementary school, it can be challenging to create inclusive student-centered learning for our diverse group of students, including students in Enhanced Autism classrooms, students with comprehensive services, and students in advanced academics programs. As a tech coach, I have the goal to ensure that all of these learners get what they need without overwhelming the educators that serve them. One way is to use the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, designed to foster inclusive classrooms, and then leverage AI tools as our partner to support the three pillars of UDL.

UDL Pillar 1: Engagement

Engagement, the first pillar of UDL, focuses on fostering a learning environment where students belong and see purpose in their learning. This can be a real challenge in today’s schools. In my district, we have seen an increase in more-scripted programs as well as directives to implement these programs with fidelity. This often leads to disengagement as teachers lead the learning and students sit and receive it. In these learning environments, students are passive and the educators are working harder than ever. As we create learning experiences, are we ensuring that they provide students with choice and autonomy? Are these experiences relevant to our students’ experiences? Do they connect our students to their learning?

Connecting to student interests. We can use AI tools like Gemini for Education to connect to our students’ interests. Last year, one of my special education teachers in my school decided to connect mathematics to his students’ interests. He knew that his students loved Pokemon, so he customized a math lesson from our county curriculum using Gemini for Education and asked the chatbot to revise this lesson with a Pokemon theme. Since Gemini for Education is a walled garden, he was able to add information about his students and design a lesson that better met each of his students’ needs. This is a great example of how we can foster student engagement as students see their interests reflected in the learning

Optimizing relevance. In today’s educational landscape, many teachers are faced with scripted curricula that may not meet the needs of their students or even seem relevant. That’s where Ludia Poe comes in. Ludia Poe is an AI chatbot created by two educators with UDL in mind. Start by giving Ludia the overview of what you are teaching and your goals. The chatbot will guide you through important considerations based on UDL and have an ongoing exchange with you as you plan.

This year, I am supporting my teachers in grades four through six during writing. In our upcoming fourth-grade literacy unit, students will write an essay where they read two different texts, a narrative and a play, and need to explain which version best helps them understand the main character. To better support them, I entered information about the task and the students in the class I am supporting.

Ludia AI identified these barriers: language complexity, varying writing proficiencies, and engaging all learners. Then, the chatbot suggested connecting the writing task to the students’ own experience using a prompt asking students to share a time when a character’s actions influenced a situation in their own life, fostering engagement and making the assignment feel more meaningful.

Next, I was able to dig deeper and ask about specific graphic organizers to use for this activity. Ludia AI provided me with several options and suggestions to differentiate these organizers for students’ needs. Yes, this is something that I could do without AI, but now, it only took me a few minutes to do something that used to take much longer.

UDL Pillar 2: Representation

Representation, the second pillar of UDL, provides students with multiple ways to learn and make meaning. As we create learning experiences, are we ensuring that these experiences support multiple ways to learn and make meaning? Do these experiences connect new learning to prior knowledge? Do they illustrate concepts through multiple media?

Illustrating concepts through multiple media. We need to help our students learn in different ways. Just providing text and images alone does not meet their needs. Now, we have dynamic AI tools at our disposal that make illustrating concepts through different media so much easier.

One of my favorites for this purpose is NotebookLM. It takes any text and transforms it into podcast-like audio and video overviews. Now, educators can use these resources to meet students where they are at and provide options to represent learning resources.

For students who struggle with organization, consider using a tool like Goblin Tools to help break down complex tasks into smaller chunks. Another great tool is Napkin AI, which converts any text into infographics, providing them a different way to access learning.

UDL Pillar 3: Action and Expression

The third pillar, action and expression, looks at how students share their learning. Can students vary the methods for response? Do they use multiple tools for construction, composition, and creativity? Do they optimize access to accessible materials and technology?

Providing student choice. Creating a choice board that incorporates UDL can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Tools like MagicSchool AI and Pear Deck’s Pear Start simplify this task using widgets like a choice board creator. Enter in your grade level, your standards, and any curriculum resources, and work with your AI partner to create choice boards built with your students and UDL in mind.

In my second-grade classes, students are learning about American symbols such as the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials. I wanted to provide my students different ways to respond using a choice board. A choice board provides students a menu of options to choose from so that students can demonstrate their understanding of content. Some choice boards are grids, while others can be tic-tac-toe boards or a list of options.

When I used Pear Start’s Choice Board generator, I entered the standards covered and some basic information about each class. Within seconds, it provided me with a list of six different options for my students to choose from, describing each one, the tools needed, and how each activity aligned with UDL. Using a choice board empowered my students to select the activity that best demonstrated their learning. This promoted student agency for all students. In addition, this flexibility allowed each student to create a unique artifact of learning that best represented their understanding, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all assessment.

As you can see, embracing AI as a partner in designing your student-centered classroom can have a huge impact. It helps you to more efficiently manage your time and focus on what matters most: connecting and empowering your students.