Universally Designed Lesson

Artifact Rationale

1) Briefly describe the artifact and identify the CEC standards connected to the artifact.
The Universally Designed Lesson was generated in order to show mastery of the UDL
framework, in which teaching is optimized in order to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Learning is not a one-size fits all model, where this lesson was made in order to motivate and
engage all learners, present information and content in diverse ways, as well as differentiate the
ways students may express their knowledge and mastery. The CEC standards tied to this artifact
were Standard 3 and Standard 5: curricular content knowledge and instructional planning &
strategies.
2) Describe the knowledge and skills you mastered while completing the artifact. Relate
your statements to the specific standards aligned with the artifact.
My knowledge and skills in curricular content knowledge (CEC 3) and instructional
planning and strategies (CEC 5) were mastered while completing this artifact. Throughout the
completion of the Universally Designed Lesson, I was able to use my understanding of central
concepts, tools of inquiry, and structure of the ELA curriculum. I was able to use this knowledge
in order to create a meaningful and positive learning experience in order for students to master
the content. Furthermore, I was able to connect the concepts in my lesson by using different
perspectives to engage all learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. In addition, I
have shown mastery in planning for instruction that positively supports all learners with rigorous
learning goals. I have illustrated my understanding of various instructional strategies and
furthermore, I encourage students to develop a deep understanding of the ELA content as they
apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.

3) Describe the ways in which your students were or will be positively affected by your
mastery of the standards reflected by this artifact.
My future students will be positively affected by my mastery of the standards reflected by
this artifact. I have gained a significant amount of new knowledge in relation to curricular
content knowledge and instructional planning & strategies. The UDL framework is extremely
significant in lesson planning in order to meet the needs of diverse learners. As stated above,
lesson planning is not a one-size fits all model. I thoroughly believe we, as teachers, need to meet
students at their current level. I believe I can use my knowledge of content and plan future
instruction with different elements of UDL. I believe instructional planning and strategies should
incorporate multiple means of engagement with high degree of interest and motivation. I believe
it is of upmost importance to find out what motivates and engages each and every student.
Furthermore, knowledge should be represented in multiple ways to meet the needs of audio,
visual, and/or kinesthetic learners. Lastly, students should be able to show their mastery in
different ways. One students strength may lie in writing, where this may be another students
weakness. Learners should be able to express what they know in differentiated ways depending
upon their strengths and individual learning styles.