|
He knew how to use the scanner to check out, but I grabbed the book from his hand. He literally had to stop me and say, “Mom, I can do it!” If you’re like me, you want to help, but sometimes, in doing too much, we take away their chance to build confidence and independence. As parents and as educators, offering support without over-controlling matters. Kids thrive when they have voice and choice, not when every decision is made for them. When I first heard about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), my reaction was: Great. Another thing to add to my already full plate. Sound familiar? But here’s the thing—UDL isn’t one more thing. It’s about compassionate design. Compassion goes beyond understanding—it involves taking caring actions, removing barriers before they exist, so all learners can succeed. It is also about learner agency, not endless teacher-driven customization. That mindset shift became even clearer when I started working for Apple. There, universal design wasn’t an option—it was the foundation. Accessibility was built into every design from the start. That same mindset transforms learning—and so much more beyond learning communities. In schools, companies, and organizations—everywhere—when we remove barriers upfront and promote agency, we create environments where everyone can thrive (kids and adults). Back in February, I spoke at Learning & the Brain, exploring learner agency with educators, researchers, and thought leaders. One key takeaway? When the goal is agency, we activate learning, foster prosocial behavior, and nurture character strengths. 💡 Four Ways to Promote Learner Agency:✅ Design with Compassion – UDL is a science-backed approach that removes barriers and allows all learners to engage authentically. ✅ Levergage the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) – Teaching learners to ask their own questions fosters curiosity, ownership, and deeper learning. ✅ Be Asset-Based – Start with what learners bring to the table. Strengths-based inquiry helps learners see what they can do, not just where they struggle. ✅ Integrate Prosocial and Character Strengths – Inquiry and agency flourish when learners practice empathy, collaboration, and perseverance, reinforcing both academic and social-emotional growth. Clear goals. Remove barriers. Flexible means. That’s how we build real agency. What’s one small shift you can make this week to build agency for those around you?
|
