scholarly journals Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linn Jorgenson ◽  
Korey Singleton ◽  
Jane Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Curriculum Development ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Diverse Learners ◽  
Opportunities To Learn ◽  
Instructional Goals ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Individual Needs

This presentation is designed to introduce a Universal Design for Learning (UDL)framework to participants and then explore the use of UD within student affairsand higher education. We will start with an overview of the three principles of UDL,which is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individualsequal opportunities to learn. UDL provides a plan for creating instructional goals,methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone—inot a single, one-size-fits-all solution, but rather flexible approaches that can be customized and adjusted for individual needs. We will discuss some of the trends we are seeing here at Mason, including diverse learners and accommodations on how to structure a course.

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.

scholarly journals How UDL can make learning work for all your students

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dara Ryder ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Opportunities To Learn ◽  
Equal Opportunities ◽  
Design For Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles and guidelines for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. UDL aims to improve the educational experience of all students by introducing more flexible methods of teaching and assessment to cater for the huge diversity of learners now participating in higher education. This approach is underpinned by research in the field of neuroscience and the learning sciences and is designed to improve the learning experience and outcomes for all students. The basic idea is simple but backed by decades of research – that all of us learn differently, have different life experiences and demands, and differing physical and cognitive strengths, and so a variety of teaching and learning approaches with choice and flexibility built in are required to reach and motivate everyone. This presentation will explore the origins of UDL, provide an introduction to its 3 key principles, encourage participants to examine the diversity within their own classrooms and offer practical take-aways for those seeking to explore further and get started on their own UDL journey.

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 A practice-based intervention to prepare preservice teachers for inclusion using universal design for learning

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Mary Elizabeth Decker
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
General Education ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Diverse Learners ◽  
Fundamental Knowledge ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
The Impact

General education pre-service teachers are expected to teach diverse learners, including those with disabilities, in the general education settings. Yet many are not adequately prepared to teach all students. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to increase inclusive practices, however, it is unknown how to best teach this to pre-service teachers. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of using a practice-based approach to teach UDL as compared to a lecture-based approach to teach UDL to better prepare general education pre-service teachers. Constructs of interest include pre-service teachers' fundamental knowledge including UDL, self-efficacy and UDL application. A mixed methods triangulation design was employed. While pre-service teachers from both groups had significant gains in their foundational knowledge, reported self-efficacy, reported UDL knowledge and ability to apply UDL ideas, participants in the practice-based group did have some advantages, specifically in the area of UDL application.

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.

Recommendations for a National Research Agenda in UDL: Outcomes From the UDL-IRN Preconference on Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-185
Author(s):  
Sean J. Smith ◽  
Kavita Rao ◽  
K. Alisa Lowrey ◽  
J. Emmett Gardner ◽  
Eric Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Research Committee ◽  
Strategic Actions ◽  
Instructional Goals ◽  
Education Professional Development ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
To Receive

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that continues to receive increased attention at federal and state levels. The benefits of UDL include providing an approach to curriculum and instructional design that creates flexible instructional goals, methods, materials, and assignments. Despite the growing popularity of UDL in national policies, measuring the implementation of the UDL framework remains elusive. In March 2017, the research committee of the Universal Design for Learning–Implementation and Research Network (UDL-IRN) convened a preconference of researchers and practitioners to discuss and make recommendations for a national research agenda. Four workgroups address issues related to UDL. These included (a) operationalizing and applying UDL, (b) instruments for the measurement of UDL, (c) teacher education/professional development (PD) in UDL, and (d) UDL tools, technologies, and resources. The results of the workgroups’ effort to identify issues and strategic actions in UDL implementation and research are reported.

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