Overview

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides a framework to ensure flexible curricula and learning environments in which students can engage in learning in various ways, including options to demonstrate their learning. UDL advocates for accessible and inclusive instructional approaches that meet the needs and abilities of all learners. 

Key Points 

• UDL eliminates the practice of “teaching to the middle” or “one size fits all” planning.

• UDL removes the need for extensive curricular modifications for students who find learning challenging.

• UDL provides real choices for students in the learning process.

Details

Three main principles for Universal Design guide teachers in lesson planning for an Inclusive classroom. 

1. Provide Options for Perception

Based on the premise that learners access information differently, this principle means providing flexible and multiple ways to present information. For example, using PowerPoint with drawings and icons as a visual supplement to a lecture may make it easier for a visual learner to grasp the presented information. This may also benefit learners with a hearing impairment, and most students benefit from having oral and hearing input simultaneously.  

2. Provide Options for Expression

Learners vary in their abilities to demonstrate their learning. This principle means providing flexible and multiple ways for students to express their knowledge or demonstrate their skills. For example, students might be given an alternative assessment to a written exam or test, such as a verbal presentation, physical demonstration, construction, or drawing.  The teacher would have guidelines to inform the students of alternate assignment expectations.

3. Provide Options for Comprehension

Students are motivated to learn for different reasons and vary in the learning activities that keep them engaged. This third principle means providing multiple ways for students to engage in course activities. For example, engaging students in group work or paired activities rather than individual assignments might keep students on track in the learning process. Giving students choices in activities may facilitate achieving learning objectives. Altering the learning environment may also prove beneficial for some students. For example, one student may learn the parts of a plant from a book or a drawing, while another might need to see a plant in its natural state.

Giving choices, however, does not mean changing expectations. For example, your course learning outcomes may focus on students communicating in writing; in that case, demonstrating learning through an oral presentation would not be appropriate. However, students could dictate their ideas to a scribe or use assistive technology to produce a written piece.

Strategies to Consider

The following are strategies successfully used by teachers in an inclusive classroom.

• Be intentional about creating a safe learning environment by utilizing ground rules.

• Be proactive in connecting with and learning about your students. 

• When possible, provide flexibility in how students demonstrate their knowledge and how you assess student knowledge and development. 

• Vary your assessments by incorporating a blend of collaborative and individual assignments. 

• Allow choice in assignments by giving students multiple project topics to choose from.

• Have students determine the weight each assignment will have on their final grade at the beginning of the semester.

• Be clear about how students will be evaluated and graded, and share the rationale using Rubrics.

• Take time to assess classroom climate by obtaining mid-semester feedback from students.

• Pass out index cards during class and invite anonymous feedback.

• Ask students to rate how comfortable they are in class using a 1-5 scale and ask them to make two suggestions of what would enhance the learning environment. 

• Conduct a Qualtrics survey. (On-line survey tool - Stanford University)

• Discuss the results of your reflection on instructional practices and share changes you may make. 

Summary

There are benefits to using strategies based on Universal Design for Learning.

Teachers can connect with and engage with a wider variety of learning styles. Students are more likely to engage in and experience success in a course with activities that support their learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds. Students are motivated by material and experiences that are relevant to them.

More Detail on UDL:

https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl