Goal: Until learning has no limits
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a way of thinking about teaching and learning that helps give all students an opportunity to succeed. According to CAST, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. This approach offers flexibility in the ways students access material, engage with it, and show what they know. It is more about equity than equality.
Click on the picture to access https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlXZyNtaoDM
UDL: Just start.
If Universal Design seems to intimidate you, start slow. Just start. Choose one or two easy-to-do strategies to begin your quest:
- Evaluate existing and new documents (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, PDF) or media by checking Accessibility
- Evaluate the design of your Canvas classrooms using tools at https://wc.libguides.com/CanvasandAccessibility
- Provide a range of learning materials in different formats
- Use a wide range of assessment tools and strategies
- Introduce one new tech tool
- Implement peer tutoring or discussion within the class period
- Vary student groupings
- Use cooperative learning structures (Links to an external site)
UDL: Breakdown Barriers
UNIVERSAL DESIGN is about more than just teaching and reaching all learners. It is also about breaking down barriers in the classroom and in daily lessons. To create a powerful UDL classroom, evaluate your learning spaces and activities and look for potential challenges or obstacles for students. Then, explore ways to eliminate them.
- Provide directions verbally and visually when possible
- Allow students to choose other means of assessments
- Give students seating choices, arrangements, groupings
- Provide a variety of ways to learn the content
- Students might need to be taught how to discuss, how to work in groups
UDL: +1
UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING isn’t new and it is not a set of standards or specific practices. It is a framework intended to encourage you to think proactively about the needs of all your learners. It is a mindset to progress in making our campus interactions accessible to the broadest range of people, rather than to aim for perfection. (Reach Everyone, Teach Everyone, Tobin & Behling, 2018)
James Basham of the Universal Design for Learning Implementation and Research Network outlined the following instructional planning process:
Step 1: Establish clear outcomes. Always.
Step 2: Anticipate Learner needs.
Step 3: Plan measurable outcomes and assessments.
Step 4: Establish the Instructional Experience, and the sequence of events.
Step 5: Establish reflection and new understandings.
Basham, J. (2019). UDL Instructional Planning Process. Retrieved from https://udl-irn.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Instructional-Process.pdf
