Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is based in the understanding that there is no such thing as “an average learner.”  Each student is seen as an individual with unique characteristics and combinations of strengths and weaknesses. UDL encourages the development of flexible learning materials, activities, and assessments that are differentiated to meet the needs of all learners. UDL also looks for barriers to learning so that the focus is on being proactive and designing a course that meets the needs of every student from the start rather than waiting until students are struggling. The focus again becomes ALL students and providing them with multiple ways to access content and engage in learning.

There are three principles based in neuroscience upon which the UDL framework is built. These principles guide the design of learning environments with a deep understanding and appreciation for individual variability.

green circle with brain Principle of Engagement

Stimulate interest and motivation for learning

UDL Guidelines: Engagement

Purple circle with brainPrinciple of Representation

Present information and content in different ways

UDL Guidelines: Representation

Blue circle with brainPrinciple of Action & Expression

Differentiate the ways that students can express what they know

UDL Guidelines: Action & Expression

View the full UDL framework here: UDL Framework

Universal Design for Learning vs Accessibility

Rather than centering on an Accessible design model where there’s a  focus in on the needs of individuals, UDL focuses on a model for social justice to support all diverse learning need by providing instruction that can be used by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Accessibility for learners with disabilities is an integral part of UDL but it will not eliminate the need for all accommodations. UDL calls for the removal of different kinds of barriers, making instruction accessible to everyone, not just students requesting disability-related accommodations.

Simple Ways to Apply UDL to Instruction

  1. Provide multiple means of engagement
  • Provide choices for assignments and promote originality
  • Identify course materials that are relevant the student population and are aligned with learning objectives
  • Provide students with different channels of communication and opportunities for interaction
  • Promote student ownership of learning and encourage goal setting
  1. Provide multiple means of representation
  • Use a range of different learning materials 
  • Provide students with information about how Blackboard Ally can be used to gain different formats of course materials
  • Use language that is appropriate for your student population and provide definitions where necessary
  • Promote thinking across disciplines
  1. Provide multiple means of action and expression
  • Use a variety of instructional tools and media to present media  
  • Allow students flexibility in the tools they use to demonstrate their understanding
  • Break large projects into smaller units and offer regular feedback
  • Provide checklists of items or steps to that will be completed in a module, unit, or lesson

See many more Applications of Universal Design in Postsecondary Education. Resources from DO-IT, University of Washington to guide learning more about how to implement UDL in your instruction.

Videos and Media

Barrier Identification Flowchart (2021, April 20) [PDF]. An Instructional Aid published by Learning Designed in partnership with CAST & the UDL Implementation and Research Network (UDL-IRN). Use this as an aide for identifying and removing instructional barriers through a Universal Design for Learning Framework.

 

The Myth of Average: Todd Rose at TEDxSonoma County (2013, June 19) [Video,18:26 min]. A video about the myth of a one-size-fits-all tradition and reasons to make the shift to designing “to the edges.”

 

What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)? (2017, Nov 2) [Video 2:52 min]. A video introduction to the concept of Universal Design for learning from the Association for Higher Education Access & Disability, AHEAD©.

 

UDL Checkpoints (2018, December 19) [PDF]. An Instructional Aid published by Learning Designed in partnership with CAST & the UDL Implementation and Research Network (UDL-IRN). Each page of the document is built around one of the three UDL principles and is aimed at improving understanding of the UDL framework and how to apply the checkpoints to instruction.

 

PGCC Library & Learning Resources (2020, May 11) [Web]. A PGCC website offering valuable information on the Universal Design for Learning. This resource includes information and resources about UDL, and its applications as well as providing a summary of books available from our library on the topic of UDL.

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Accessibility and UDL (2015, October 6) [Video 1:31 min]. In a video created by the Center for Applied Special Technology CAST, Skip Stahl discusses how Accessibility and UDL are not mutually exclusive but interconnected.

 

UDL on Campus (n.a.) [Web]. The Center for Applied Special Technology CAST website on everything UDL in higher education. This site contains links to course design, media & materials, accessibility & policy.

 

 

 

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