1. Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is the strategic approach to planning engaging learning experiences that ensure that learners efficiently gain the right knowledge and skills regardless of learner variability. The three guiding principles revolve around providing multiple means of…
- gaining and maintaining learner engagement
- representing information and portraying knowledge
- optimizing physical action and expression options
Video Instruction
Watch the following video to gain an understanding of Universal Design for Learning.
The Myth of Average
This video by Todd Rose can help us think about the importance of proactively designing for the diverse learning profiles our students bring to the classroom.
Resources
Universal Design has 3 main areas. Please review the Universal Design for Learning Guidelines page from CAST for a more complete picture, and to help put these resources in context.
Multiple Means of
Action & Expression
ECU Created Canvas Resources built on UDL principles
Important: Before using these resources, you must be first logged into Canvas, and then open a Canvas Commons window.
- The UDL Canvas Course Wizard – Install a customized Canvas template with UDL & Quality Matters components
- Podcast-in-a-box – Augment an essay assignment with a Podcast in less than 5 clicks
- Infographic-in-a-box – Everything you need to include an infographic assignment, even if you’ve never done it yourself!
Try it
Think about a problem area for a class you have. This could be a lesson where students check out with boredom or a topic where the students have historically struggled. How could you apply principles of Universal Design for Learning to improve it?
Join the discussion
Contribute to the UDL Discussion. Consider contributing in any of the following ways:
- Share a technique that others could use to engage their students at the start of a lesson
- Ask a question – Get advice on how to apply UDL in your class
- Help someone out!
Module 2 – Learning Objectives & Backward Design