What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to guide the way you design the learning environments that you offer to students. UDL ensures that the learning experience in your classroom is accessible and challenging for all students.
In the past, educators often looked at disabilities, the unique needs of international students, learner preferences etc. as concerns that needed to be managed on a one-by-one basis. UDL focusses on positive ways a course delivery can be enhanced to meet individual needs while improving the learning opportunities for all. Ultimately, we may need fewer accommodations and stop gap solutions as we create universally accessible and meaningful opportunities.
UDL aims to change the design of the learning environment to suit as many learners as possible rather than striving to change the individual learner or make an experience work one semester for that one learner. When learning environments are designed to reduce barriers, all learners can engage in learning.
Below are five suggestions of ways to implement universal design:
- All materials used in a learning opportunity are posted in an electronic and accessible format on moodle.unbc.ca before the class session. Lecture capture or recording via Kaltura Capture can provide subtitles and searchable terms of the content. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/unbc/chapter/lecture-capture/
- Faculty are asked to write on the board using a size of printing that is visual from all corners of the room and a marker colour with a good contrast.
- All students are provided with course outline prior to the start of the semester so they have a semester schedule for evaluation dates, key concepts, and resource use. Students can use this for planning study supports, medical appointments, etc. Your class list in Fastportal gives the ability to send an email to all students or you can change the opening date of your learn.unbc.ca course shell to open earlier as well.
- No pop quizzes are permitted so that students have reduced anxiety and can make important appointments without fear of missing marks. Think about flexible deadlines or a ‘pass’ that gives a short extension for an assignment when ‘life happens’ ( sickness, family issues, relationship stress, etc) moments occur
- Faculty are reminded to face forward when speaking so that students who need a clear vocal stream, a visual cue for lip reading or facial expression access have those elements. Using a microphone in our larger teaching spaces helps all students hear better as well. Check the podium drawer or see EMS for a microphone.
The Access Resource Centre is able to assist you https://www2.unbc.ca/access-resource-centre
More about UDL:
Mohawk College’s Centre for Teaching and Learning in collaboration with members from the Accessible Learning Services team has prepared a wonderful resource on UDL.
https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/employees/centre-for-teaching-learning/universal-design-for-learning
