Element 14: Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

What is this element about?

This element is about ensuring that all students can engage in learning in ways that maximise their success.

UDL in Higher Education from CAST

Why is it important?

UDL focuses on changing the curriculum to enhance reducing barriers and extending opportunities, rather than focusing on individual leaners. This element highlights the role that the online learning environment plays in either supporting student success or acting as a barrier to learning.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. UDL provides a blueprint for creating instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone–not a single, one-size-fits-all solution but rather flexible approaches that can be customized and adjusted for individual needs.

 

The UDL principles are based on the three-network model of learning that take into account the variability of all learners—including learners who were formerly relegated to “the margins” of our educational systems but now are recognized as part of the predictable spectrum of variation. These principles guide design of learning environments with a deep understanding and appreciation for individual variability. (Centre for Applied Special Technology, n.d)

Ongoing developments and affordances of digital technology provide even more opportunity to apply the UDL principles in designing learning environments underpinned by providing with variability for learning.

UDL is not just about technology and the role of the teacher in the learning process provides further opportunities to enhance variability and respond to learner differentiation.

This element relates to the following research and practice informed guidelines/ frameworks:

TELAS Guidelines

• 1.1  The online learning environment is inclusive.
• 1.3. Online learning environment meets appropriate accessibility standards.
• 7.3. Learning resources reflect diversity.
• 8.2. Learning resources are provided in a range of modalities.

UNE Learning Standards

• 1. Recognise and value student diversity and culture:
  Our learning experiences are designed to be inclusive, respectful and supportive. This is achieved through the recognition and valuing of individual and cultural diversity.

• 7. Use technology to enrich and enable learning:
  Our learning experiences are designed to utilise existing and emerging technologies to enrich learning and provide opportunities to engage in new and meaningful ways. Technology should be used purposefully and must add value to the learning experience.

Future Fit – Personalised Learning Journeys

What can I do?

Some things you can do include:

• Provide learning content in multiple formats
• Include transcripts and or closed captions on multi-media
• Apply Alt Text when incorporating images into learning resources
• Provide assessment guidance instructions in multiple formats – for example, a video recording outlining assessment expectations.
• Consider how different pedagogical approaches can enhance learning opportunities – team-based learning (TBL), place-based pedagogies, work-integrated learning, experiential learning.
• Explore opportunities to include students in unit design
• Utilise resources and content that reflects learner diversity
• Incorporate opportunity for learner agency
• Provide opportunity for meaningful peer learning
• Use flow charts to portray information where appropriate
• Apply consistent use of icons where appropriate – Use UNE generic icons where appropriate.
• Utilise opportunities for adaptive learning activities/experiences – Moodle Lesson
• Explore opportunities for learner use of ePortfolio

Hints and tips

Maximising student success through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Digital Education @ UNE Blog and  Webinar recording

Help and Support

Teaching Online @ UNE contains information on assessment design.

Contact the Learning Design team for specific unit related guidance and advice: learningdesign@une.edu.au

Student Accessibility & Wellbeing Office

Supporting resources

TELAS Framework https://www.telas.edu.au/framework/

UNE Online Learning Standards: https://myune.sharepoint.com/sites/academic-transformation/SitePages/Principals-for-Designing-Learning-Experiences-Online.aspx