UDL:The "WHAT, HOW & WHY" of Learning

When it comes to the human brain, there are three primary brain networks that aid in the act of learning. These three brain networks are: The Recognition Networks, The Strategic Networks and The Affective Networks; otherwise known as the WHAT, HOW and WHY of learning.



The Recognition Networks: 
The Recognition Networks allows us to gather facts through what we see, read and hear and put these facts into categories. This network helps us to recognize letters, words, or numbers.  Therefor, in order to reach all students, teachers should present content in numerous ways to reach all type of learners. Teachers should not only use lectures for auditory learners, but visuals/posters for visual learners, activities such as role play or dance to get kinesthetic learners moving etc.









 The Strategic Networks:
The Strategic Networks of the brain allow the brain to perform planning type tasks. These networks also help us to organize ideas such as in writing an essay, or solving a complex math problem. Just as the teacher should provide multiple means of representing the information while teaching, the students should be allowed to express their knowledge in a variety of ways. Not all students can show what they have learned through testing. Different ways of representing the information include making posters, brochures, power point, videos, websites, blogs,  or create a role play. The possibilities are as endless as your or your students' imaginations.






The Affective Networks:
The Affective Networks allow for humans to engage in an activity, to have feelings, to feel excited, interested or challenged. As a teacher it is important to related the content material to subjects that relate to the students. If the curriculum is related to things that students can understand such as sports, age-appropriate TV shows, songs, or celebrities. These can typically be used as the "hook" of the lesson, which comes at the beginning to hook the kids attention. The more a teacher can related the information to a student's life the more the student will be able to apply the knowledge and understand the information.