What if you designed your course with learner variability in mind?
Through this deeper dive, you will be guided in exploring the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, which is comprised of a research-based set of principles that encourages instructors to remove barriers to learning in order to provide access to diverse students, beyond considerations of accommodations for students with disabilities. UDL can inform course and lesson design by prompting instructors to provide their students with multiple ways of engaging with course content, constructing knowledge, and demonstrating learning while accommodating cultural and learning differences.
UDL Handout
As you make your way through the the UDL deeper dive, we invite you to use this handout to consider your students through the lens of each UDL principle. We offer UMass faculty the options to copy the handout to your own Google drive or download it as a Microsoft Word document.
Video 1: Introduction to UDL
Video 2: Principle of Engagement
The UDL Principle of Engagement focuses on what students are doing and why they are doing it.
Explore the UDL Principle of Engagement
Video 3: Principle of Representation
The UDL Principle of Representation focuses on the content, or the what of learning.
Video 4: Principle of Action & Expression
The UDL Principle of Action and Expression focuses on the how of learning.
General UDL Resources
The resources below provide additional information on Universal Design for Learning in higher education.
Resources for Removing Learning Barriers
The resources listed below were referenced in our deeper dive videos for each UDL principle as strategies to remove learning barriers. It is not an exhaustive list of all the resources out there, but will provide you with starting points to explore.
- Recruiting Interest using Authentic Assessments
- Sustaining Effort using the TiLT Framework
- Developing Self-Regulation with Exam Wrappers
- Developing Self-Regulation with Critical Reflection Questions
- Supporting Perception with Concept Maps
- Supporting Perception with Accessible Documents (from IDEAS)
- Supporting Comprehension with a Background Knowledge Probe
- Supporting Comprehension with a Think Aloud Technique
- Offer Options for Physical Action with VoiceThread
- Offer Options for Expression and Communication with Choice Boards (K-12 focus, but applicable to higher ed)
- Vary Expression and Communication with a Chalk Talk Activity
- Support Expression and Communication with low-stakes formative assessments like Exit Tickets
- Support Executive Functions with Guided Notes
- Support Executive Functions with Graphic (Advance) Organizers