Universal Design for Learning (UDL) was created to remove barriers to learning. The emergence of instructional technological tools coupled with the principles of UDL has opened up new opportunities to reimagine the traditional approach to hands-on education (courses with studio or lab activities), within a virtual environment. Such a transition offers solutions to common problems with this mode of education, as well as creating an inclusive and diverse learning environment. Come to this interactive presentation to learn some best practices and discuss ideas to support your own teaching.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) was created to remove barriers to learning: “It is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn.” The emergence of instructional technological tools coupled with the principles of UDL has opened up new opportunities to reimagine the traditional approach to a hands-on, making education (courses with studio or lab activities), within a virtual environment. Such a transition offers solutions to common problems with this mode of education, as well as creating an inclusive and diverse learning environment. During this interactive presentation we will discuss the principles of UDL including the “what” of learning, the “how” of learning, and the “why” of learning. We will share strategies and best practices of transitioning the making, hands-on class to an online environment and how to effectively incorporate UDL principles. The session features break-out groups intended to provide participants an opportunity to ask questions as well as brainstorm ways they can incorporate UDL into their curriculum at the course and institutional level.