Clarifying syntax and structure is a universal design for learning (UDL) guideline that supports multiple means of representation. The UDL guidelines were developed by an organization called CAST. This article will explore how teachers and other educators can offer ways to make the relationships between concepts clear to a variety of learners.
Clarifying Syntax and structure in Universal Design for Learning
Clarifying syntax and structure means explaining how semantic elements, such as words or numbers, combine. For example, learners may understand individual vocabulary words, symbols, or math concepts, but not how they combine to form complex:
- Sentences
- Equations
In other words, learners may not understand the rules of syntax, or the relationships between words in a sentence. Likewise, learners may not understand the structures of math concepts made up of multiple elements, such as:
- Charts
- Graphs
- Equations
If a lesson requires learners to have prior knowledge of how concepts syntactically or structurally relate to each other, learners may not have all the information they need to start the lesson. Therefore, before teachers begin a new topic requiring prior knowledge, they should briefly:
- Explain the structures of sample sentences or equations
- Discuss connections within visuals that have multiple parts, such as:
- Diagrams
- Graphs
- Maps
- Illustrations
- Analyze the structure of a whole piece of writing, such as:
- An essay
- A story
For example, teachers can verbally point out, and visually highlight, how ideas are connected through:
- Transition words in an essay
- Borders on a map
- Rows and columns on a chart
- Axes or lines on a graph
Moreover, teachers can point out how the structures learners are currently studying are similar to structures they studied in earlier classes. For example, a teacher could compare a type of narrative, graph, or equation to one studied in an earlier lesson.