UDL Principle #1: Engagement

Principle: Provide Multiple Means of Engagement

Affect represents a crucial element to learning, and learners differ markedly in the ways in which they can be engaged or motivated to learn. There are a variety of sources that can influence individual variation in affect including neurology, culture, personal relevance, subjectivity, and background knowledge, along with a variety of other factors. Some learners are highly engaged by spontaneity and novelty while others are disengaged, even frightened, by those aspects, preferring strict routine. Some learners might like to work alone, while others prefer to work with their peers. In reality, there is not one means of engagement that will be optimal for all learners in all contexts; providing multiple options for engagement is essential (cast.org).

Engagement Guidelines

What Does This Look Like in the Classroom?

Providing multiple means of engagement in the classroom means providing options for recruiting interest, sustaining efforts & persistence, and self regulation. But what does this look like in the classroom?

Slideshow: Engagement with Ed Tech

This slideshow provides some examples of educational technology tools taught in ETC Level 2 and how they might be used to address the Engagement checkpoints. Please note that neither the list of tools nor the list of checkpoints is comprehensive.

Click here for a larger view of the slideshow. Links to an external site.