Hi,
I have just read a really interesting book entitled, 'Why Don't Students Like School' by Daniel Willingham.
It turns how we teach on its head with regards to students differences and multiples intelligence. well, when I say it turns how we teach on its head, what it really does is direct our thinking away from convention
For example, we often think that psycho-educational assessments that highlight a student's strength relate to how they learn best (a students with a visual memory strength is best suited for learning visually. Willingham says that this is not particularly so. He claims that content is very important and how it is presentetd to the students to get them thinking and ignite or relight their curiosity.
We spend so much time foucssed on student differences and trying to meet the cognitive and multiple intelligence needs of our students that Willingham feels is a waste of time. Sure students have strengths and challenges but students learn best through enquiry.

The Universal Design for Learning model fits with his philosophy.
 UDL understanding:

1. Present information and content in different ways (capture the attention of students so that they desire to learn. This is often achieved through enquiry. The range of media the information can be presented in and whether the information is presented for multiple intelligences is not the issue for Willingham. It is capturing attention and curiosity that is the issue in motivating studenst to learn).
2. Differentiate the ways that students can express what they know (Students like to express in differen ways regardless of their intelligence. My 5 year old son drew a picture of our yard after the storm. this was his way of expressing it. His picture had a lot of understanding for his age.)
3. Stimulate interest and motivation for learning (Enquiry based learning is a great way to stimulate interest and motivation.)

This approach works for most students and meets many of their needs.
I am fascinated how Willingham's method for motivating students to learn (not such a new method..one that you and I have probably been using for years) matches so well with UDL.

What are your thoughts?

Simon

Here is the book:
Podcast: http://www.thepsychfiles.com/2009/03/episode-90-the-learning-styles-myth-an-interview-with-daniel-willingham/
site: http://www.danielwillingham.com/learning-styles-faq.html