Partner with ākonga
Use Universal Design for Learning principles to reduce barriers and strengthen student agency
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Build whanaunga­tanga
Build whanaungatanga
Build positive and strong relationships. Create intentional and ongoing opportunities for students to share where they are from, what is important to them and why.
Build relationships through shared experiences, making connections, and working together.
![11926 [NZC-Scenario-65-Treaty-16-CJ-Puke-Tayla.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/NZC-Scenario-65-Treaty-16-CJ-Puke-Tayla__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.jpg)
Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Consider potential barriers
Consider potential barriers
Barriers to learning are where students “get stuck” in a lesson or activity. For each learner, barriers can differ from subject to subject and from activity to activity.
Barriers are often created when we offer single, inflexible approaches.
In partnership with ākonga identify what gets in the way and together build in useful supports and flexible learning options.
Examples of potential barriers:
- time pressures
- unfamiliar language
- assessment formats e.g. NCEA exams, PAT tests
- barriers hidden in the resources and materials, for example, cluttered presentation, hard-to read diagrams, unclear layout, hard-copy only
- instructions only given in one way
- barriers hidden in the physical environment, for example, unfamiliar layout of room, lighting, temperature
- limited access to technologies such as text to speech or closed caption
- no access to quiet working spaces
- lots of written instructions
- talking in front of the class
- sitting for long periods of time.
For more information on barriers explore Identify potential barriers.
Plan using Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Plan using Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
UDL is an approach to designing learning that is accessible for all learners. It helps to create barrier-free learning environments.
UDL enables learners to access the curriculum in a way that best works for them.
Strengthen student agency
Strengthen student agency
When it comes to supporting students to take ownership of their learning, they will require multiple and different supports.
Create environments that foster and value ākonga voice.
Recognise the expertise of your young people.
Consider how you can:
- support students to understand how they learn, encouraging positive learning habits
- match teaching methods to student preferences
- provide flexibility in topic and content choices
- encourage students to develop their own learner profile
- provide a range of tools and materials so that learners can share and create in ways that works for them
- be open to and seek out regular feedback
- encourage student input across planning spaces
- ask learners to share what strategies or resources they find useful or not useful
- encourage the diversity of voice through student-led groups e.g. diversity groups, lunch forums and discussion groups.
Reflective questions
Reflective questions
- In what ways do you intentionally get to know learners and what’s important to them?
- How do you work with ākonga to develop the skills and agency to advocate for and personalise their learning?
- In what ways do you ensure that all ākonga can participate and communicate their views in ways that work for them?
- How do you create opportunities for students to connect to their culture, interests, and things that matter to them?
- Discuss some examples of how your knowledge of learners has influenced the design of teaching and learning.
Useful resources
Useful resources
Orientation and whakawhanaungatanga: Building positive student relationships
Read time: 5 min
This resources includes activities and ideas to support building positive relationships.
Publisher: Ako Aotearoa
How to break down barriers to learning with UDL
This article unpacks what are barriers to learning and how teachers can identify and reduce these.
Publisher: Understood
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Reduce barriers for year 9-13 students”:
Return to the guide “Curriculum accessibility”
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Curriculum accessibility
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Reduce barriers for year 1 to 8 studentsShow suggestions for Reduce barriers for year 1 to 8 students
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Reduce barriers for year 9–13 studentsShow suggestions for Reduce barriers for year 9–13 students
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Support reading and writingShow suggestions for Support reading and writing
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Utilise differentiation and adaption approachesShow suggestions for Utilise differentiation and adaption approaches
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Use hybrid learning approachesShow suggestions for Use hybrid learning approaches
