Our learners come from different backgrounds and have different strengths. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for addressing learner variability by providing multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression. In this express workshop, you will identify strategies to use in your course.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for creating a more inclusive learning environment by providing multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression. UDL is based on the concept of universal design, which is the design of buildings and environments that are usable by everyone. Examples include curb cuts and ramps, which are used by people in wheelchairs and also by people with strollers or wheeled luggage. In a similar way, incorporating UDL principles benefits all students, including those with disabilities, using mobile phones for coursework, or planning study time around other responsibilities.
With an increase in remote teaching and online and blended course offerings, more instructors are creating or using digital content. There are some things we can keep in mind when designing and facilitating courses with digital components that will benefit all learners. It can be overwhelming to provide multiple options for every interaction and assignment in a course. Therefore, we will work on a plan to be strategic about where to make changes in our courses.
After an overview of the UDL framework, the presenter will give some brief examples of changes made to an online course based on a student survey given two weeks into the course, in which students were asked what was working about the course and what was getting in the way of their success. The majority of the session time will be devoted to active work among attendees to create a plan to implement at least one UDL-based strategy in a course.
Level of Participation:
In this express workshop, you will be introduced to UDL principles, see examples of how UDL was used to make changes in an online course, and receive a handout with tips and resources to implement UDL in your course. Attendees will have the opportunity to work individually and in small groups to identify a place in their course to implement a strategy based on the UDL framework. The presenter will facilitate a discussion around ideas and strategies proposed by attendees. All materials will be available on the conference website.
Session Goals:
After this session, you will be able to
- Summarize the purpose of UDL
- Implement best practices for accessibility in digital course components
- Identify a UDL-based strategy to implement in your course
References:
CAST (2018). Universal design for learning guidelines version 2.2. http://udlguidelines.cast.org
Dell, C. A., Dell, T. F., & Blackwell, T. L. (2015). Applying universal design for learning in online courses: Pedagogical and practical considerations. The Journal of Educators Online, 12(2), 166-192. https://doi.org/10.9743/JEO.2015.2.1
Smith, F. G. (2012). Analyzing a college course that adheres to the universal design for learning (UDL) framework. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 12(3), 31–61. https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/josotl/article/view/215