Understanding My Strengths and Weaknesses

As I previously mentioned, I used the UDL Guidelines Educator Checklist provided by CAST.org to reflect upon my practice and make changes to an existing lesson in order to incorporate more UDL guidelines. Here is an example of the checklist: 

UDL Guidelines	Unit/Lesson:
I. Provide multiple means of representation– Knowledge Networks (more info)
1.    Provide options for perception (examples)	Your Ideas
1.1  Customize the display of information
1.2  Provide alternatives for auditory information
1.3  Provide alternatives for visual information
2.   Provide options for language and symbols (examples)	Your Ideas
2.1  Define vocabulary and symbols    X	Words to know worksheet
2.2  Clarify syntax and structure
2.3  Decode text and mathematical notation
2.4  Promote cross-linguistic understanding X
2.5  Illustrate key concepts non-linguistically X	Story Map
3.   Provide options for comprehension (examples)	Your Ideas
3.1  Provide or activate background knowledge  X	Throughout Anticipatory Set
3.2  Highlight critical features, big ideas, and relationships X
3.3  Guide information processingX
3.4  Support memory and transfer X	Writing in their journals to review
II. Provide multiple means for action and expression - Strategic Networks (more info)
4.   Provide options for physical actions (examples)	Your Ideas
4.1  Provide varied ways to respond
4.2  Provide varied ways to interact with materials
4.3  Integrate assistive technologies
5.   Provide options for expressive skills and fluency (examples)	Your Ideas
5.1  Allow choices of media for communication
5.2  Provide appropriate tools for composition and problem solving
5.3  Provide ways to scaffold practice and performance
6.   Provide options for executive functions (examples)	Your Ideas
6.1  Guide effective goal setting
6.2  Support planning and strategy development
6.3  Facilitate managing information and resources
6.4  Enhance capacity for monitoring progress
III. Provide multiple means for engagement - Affective Networks (more info)
7.   Provide options for recruiting interest (examples)	Your Ideas
7.1  Increase individual choice and autonomy
7.2  Enhance relevance, value, and authenticity
7.3  Reduce threats and distractions
8.   Provide options for sustaining effort and persistence (examples)	Your Ideas
8.1  Heighten salience of goals and objectives
8.2  Vary levels of challenge and support
8.3  Foster collaboration and communication  X	Students working in small groups
8.4  Increase mastery-oriented feedback
9. Provide options for self-regulation  (examples)	Your Ideas
9.1  Guide personal goal-setting and expectations
9.2  Scaffold coping skills and strategies
9.3  Develop self-assessment and reflection

As an educator, it is important for me to be aware of both my strengths and weaknesses. This checklist was very helpful in pinpointing my strengths and weaknesses in terms of applying the UDL guidelines. Truthfully, since I am new to UDL I did not have many strengths. However, the majority of my strengths fell within section 1: provide multiple means of representation. This shows that I have been doing a pretty good job in terms of knowledge networks. However, I did not have any checkmarks throughout the second section, provide multiple means for action and representation, which is a definite weakness. This shows me that I have a lot of work to do in terms of incorporating physical actions, options for expressive skills and fluency, and options for executive functioning. However, now that I know what my weakness is, I will be able to take steps to make it a strength!