Universal Design for Learning in Christian Higher Education: Inclusive Practices for Students with and Without Disability

2021 ◽  
pp. 423-442
Author(s):  
Louise Gosbell
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Christian Higher Education ◽  
Inclusive Practices ◽  
Design For Learning

scholarly journals A Reflective Analysis on Neurodiversity and Student Wellbeing: Conceptualising Practical Strategies for Inclusive Practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliott Spaeth ◽  
Amy Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Relevant Theory ◽  
Inclusive Practice ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Learning Behaviours

With the number of neurodivergent students entering Higher Education increasing, it is essential that we understand how to provide an inclusive educational experience which facilitates positive wellbeing. In this reflective analysis we draw upon our position as neurodivergent academics alongside relevant theory and literature to foster understanding and provide practical strategies for those supporting neurodivergent students. We emphasise the importance of questioning normative assumptions around expected student learning behaviours, and the negative impact that these assumptions can have upon neurodivergent students. We then provide several practical strategies that can be used to develop more inclusive practice, drawing upon principles embedded within a Universal Design for Learning approach.

scholarly journals Universal Design for Learning in Assessment: Supporting ELLs with Learning Disabilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-91
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Delaney ◽  
Maiko Hata
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
English Language ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
World Population ◽  
Design For Learning

Studying English is challenging and, for many learners, undiagnosed learning disabilities can present a serious threat to their success. Recent studies indicate that up to 10% of the world population has a non-apparent disability, such as autism or dyslexia. At the same time, few English language learner (ELL) instructors in higher education have training in learning disabilities, and they are often unsure of how to support learners who seem to have extra challenges. This is especially true when it comes to assessment, as instructors often rely on traditional tools that could negatively affect the validity of the assessment outcomes. In this brief reflection, the authors share how instructors can apply the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to their assessment practices to support students with disabilities, regardless of diagnostic status. First, disabilities that affect language learning will be briefly discussed, followed by the explanation of how English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) assessments present specific challenges for students with disabilities. Then, the authors will provide an overview of UDL theory, which proposes that learners with disabilities are often best served by accommodations in representation, expression and engagement that can benefit the entire class. Most of the paper will focus on specific, practical strategies for implementing UDL within assessment in higher education. Such strategies include building executive function, implementing multi-channel assessment, and learning about students through an “evaluation loop.”

scholarly journals Inclusion, universal design and universal design for learning in higher education: South Africa and the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Dalton ◽  
Marcia Lyner-Cleophas ◽  
Britt T. Ferguson ◽  
Judith McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
The United States ◽  
Full Inclusion ◽  
International Policies ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Inclusive Learning ◽  
Design For Learning

Around the world, institutions of higher education are recognising their responsibilities to achieve the full inclusion of individuals with differing needs and/or disabilities. The frameworks of universal design (UD) and universal design for learning (UDL) offer unique ways to build inclusiveness in our systems. The role of UD and UDL to strengthen successful inclusion of persons with differing needs in higher education programmes is presented from literature, inclusive of national and international policies and resources. Examples from South African and US institutions of higher learning are shared. Discussions of online accessibility, environmental issues, professional development, barriers to inclusion and recommendations for future development in an international context provide a vision for developing inclusive learning environments in higher education.

Improve the Flipped Classroom with Universal Design for Learning

2017 ◽  
pp. 449-471
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Tobin ◽  
Barbi Honeycutt
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Perceived Workload ◽  
Classroom Flip

The flipped-classroom approach has been adopted widely across higher education. Some faculty members have moved away from it because of the perceived workload required in order to implement a full course “flip.” Faculty members can adopt the three principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in order to reduce their own workload and make their flipped-classroom content and interactions more engaging, meaningful, and accessible for students. Adopting both the classroom flip and UDL provides benefits to learners and instructors that go beyond adopting either separately.

The Role of Course Management Systems (CMS) in Addressing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in College Classrooms

2018 ◽  
pp. 60-78
Author(s):  
Laura R. Ficarra ◽  
Deborah A. Chapin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Course Management ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
College Classrooms ◽  
Experience Teaching ◽  
Design For Learning

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the use of a course management system (CMS) platform, Blackboard, which offers a framework for electronic resources accessed via technology (i.e., discussion boards, online tutorials, simulations, etc.), and will speak to how using CMS in this fashion allows teachers in higher education to address universal design for learning (UDL) in a way that is responsive to various learner profiles. This chapter offers an investigation of the implications of using CMS as a flexible method to employ UDL via blended learning and its influence on students in institutions of higher education (IHE). The authors provide strategies that emphasize best practice based on research in conjunction with their combined varied and extensive experience teaching face-to-face, blended, and asynchronous online courses in IHL.

Using Universal Design for Learning as a Lens to Rethink Graduate Education Pedagogical Practices

2021 ◽  
pp. 168-187
Author(s):  
Frederic Fovet
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Graduate Education ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Diverse Learners ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Inclusive Pedagogy ◽  
The Many

Universal design for learning has gained interest from the higher education sector over the last decade. It is a promising approach to inclusion that allows instructor to design for optimal flexibility so as to address the needs of all diverse learners. Most implementation efforts, however, have concentrated on undergraduate education. The presumption is that graduate students have developed the necessary skills to perform, by the time of their admission into the graduate sector. It is also assumed, somehow, that the graduate population is homogeneous, rather than diverse, even if the literature does not support such assertions. Inclusive pedagogy therefore does not seem currently to be a priority in graduate education. This chapter will debunk these myths and highlight the numerous challenges graduate education faces, as a sector, with regards to the inclusion of diverse learners. It will then showcase the many ways universal design for learning is pertinent and effective in tackling these challenges.

The Potential of Distance Education for the Inclusion of Students in Higher Education

2021 ◽  
pp. 379-401
Author(s):  
Carla Freire ◽  
Catarina Mangas ◽  
Rogério Costa ◽  
Adriana Lage Costa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Virtual Learning Environments ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Design For Learning

We live in a changing world, where the role of educational institutions is being transformed. The available technologies allow new conditions to access learning; however, as they evolve very fast, sometimes it is challenging to track this evolution regarding the changes that entail to all of us, which may contribute to a digital divide if it is not well addressed. This chapter intends to present distance education as a reliable modality to include students in higher education. For that, it presents the universal design for learning and its crucial role to make inclusive virtual learning environments. Like every modality that exists, there are some challenges that need to be addressed, as well as some benefits that allow to see the potential of this modality to learning, overcoming some adversities that may occur, like the lack of time to go to face-to-face education or even the need of social isolation by risk of getting a disease.

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