Principle of Engagement - Guideline 2 - Criterion 1

 

When developing a course using the third principle of Universal Design for Learning, there are three specific guidelines to assist us.  The second, Sustaining Effort and Persistence addresses maintaining focus and determination.

Criterion 1 of this guideline advocates that we focus attention on the salience of goals and objectives

Many sources of interest compete for attention during the course of any long project or practice. For example, some learners will require reminding of their initial goal or what will happen when they obtain that goal. In this case, it is important to regularly offer elements to remind them of the goal and the value of meeting it.  This will assist these learners in sustaining effort or concentration to overcome factors that may distract them from meeting the goal.

When re-enforcing the understanding of goals and objectives, consider:

1. Displaying the goal or objectives in multiple ways or throughout the learning activity
2. Prompting learners to explicitly formulate or restate goals
3. Encouraging division of long-term goals into short-term objectives or demonstrate how this is done
4. Using prompts to visualizing desired outcome
5. Engaging learners in assessment discussions of what constitutes excellence and meeting the goals. Be prepared to accommodate different cultural backgrounds and interests
6. Providing exemplars to demonstrate goal achievement.

 By following these suggestions, your course will assist students communicating and expressing their knowledge, as well as being in line with the Principle of Engagement in the Theory of Universal Design for Learning.