4 Universal design for learning

Before ending the discussion on design principles it is important that the topic of universal design for learning (UDL) be discussed.  There would have to be a manual written strictly on the tenants of UDL alone. At its most base, UDL recognizes that not all students learn in the same way.

The principles of UDL focus on having different pathways to the same learning.  Some may need a more visual representation so a video may be preferred.  Others may require something such as an infographic, or text. For more in-depth information you can visit www.cast.org.

The three guiding principles of UDL are:

Representation: When designing courses or learning environments, the designer must provide multiple means of representation.  The information must be shown in different ways as not all students learn the same way.

Expression: Give students multiple methods and paths for displaying what they have learned.  Multiple choice summative assessments are not the only way to express the knowledge learned.

Engagement: There is a need for multiple paths built for students to engage.  Some students require a strict structure, while others like to have control over their own schedules and prefer spontaneity.  When designing learning experiences, there is a need for multiple ways to engage with the content.

If there is a common element that flows throughout this discussion on design principles it is that learners are unique and require some control in their own learning experiences.  As every student is unique in their own right, so are their learning paths. As we progress we will see that properly designed adaptive learning platforms can help provide personalized learning paths designed specifically for each individual student.