Making Sense of Language & Symbols in the Classroom - E126

The EduGals Podcast

This week, we are chatting about how to help students to make the most sense of language and symbols in the classroom. Using the UDL (Universal Design for Learning) framework and representation pillar, we are exploring ways to provide support and reduce barriers to language and symbols.

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Featured Content
**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/126**

• CAST.org - Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
• Representation pillar - Language and Symbols guideline
• Avoid single forms of representation
• Checkpoint #1: Clarify vocabulary and symbols
  • Everyday vs academic language
  • Shorthand notation
  • Start a class crowdsourced glossary
  • Beware of idioms
  • Pre-teach vocabulary and symbols
  • Embed vocabulary and symbols through hyperlinks
  • Practice Sets in Google Classroom
• Checkpoint #2: Clarify syntax & structure
  • Combining symbols and words change context
  • Make it explicit!
• Checkpoint #3: Support decoding of text, mathematical notation, and symbols
  • Text-to-speech
  • Not everyone reads with fluency and comprehension
  • Decoding increases cognitive load, uses working memory
  • Scaffold skills - lab reports
  • Audio paired with text
• Checkpoint #4: Promote understanding across languages
  • Make resources available in other languages
  • Allow the use of first languages
  • Google Translate - doesn't always translate 100% but is useful for key concepts
  • Multi-lingual glossaries - use pre-made or make one with your class
  • Multiple modalities
• Checkpoint #5: Illustrate through multiple media
  • Text is not always the best - use alternatives to support
  • Images, simulations, video, graphs, etc
  • Very useful for complex concepts
• Key Takeaway: Don't just use text, include multiple representations to best support learners

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