An introduction to powerpoint and a resource website for faculty in higher education

1. What is universal design for
learning

2. First let’s define
“Universal design for learning (UDL) means a
scientifically valid (research-based) framework for
guiding educational practice & designing curricula
(educational goals, methods, materials, and
assessments) that enable all individuals to gain
knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning that:q1
Provides flexibility
Reduces barriers
Provides accommodations, supports, and
challenges”

3. Or more simply put:
“Universal Design for Learning is a set of
principles for curriculum development that give
all individuals equal opportunities to learn”
From CAST

4. What sort of flexibility?
 in the ways information is presented
 in the ways students respond
 in the ways students demonstrate
their knowledge
 in the ways students are engaged

5. Let’s think about why

6. UDL
Acknowledges classroom diversity – including:
students with physical, sensory, & learning
disabilities,
differing cultural and linguistic backgrounds,
varied preferences and motivations for
learning,
students who are unusually gifted and more

7. UDL
 Supports efforts to consider every learner
 Provides diverse & flexible learning materials
 Suggests options for presenting information in
different ways (the ‘what’)
 Provides for different ways for students to
express what they know (the ‘how’)
 Engages by stimulating interest and motivation
(the ‘why’)

8. UDL
 supports all learners
 creates optimum learning contexts and
circumstances
 promotes cognitive and physical access
 builds toward deep understanding
 helps learners learn how to learn

9. Here’s the how behind UDL
 Multiple means of representation connect
with the brain’s recognition networks
 Multiple means of action and expression
connect with the brain’s strategic networks
 Multiple means of engagement connect
with the brain’s affective network

10. Barriers? What barriers?
 in instructional approaches
 learning materials
 Embedded in the curriculum itself

11. Accommodations and
supports?
Huh?
Isn’t that somebody else’s job?

12. We could talk about
 the legal stuff – we have covered that
elsewhere or
 the way things were or we can plan to design
for our diverse learners
 how and where to find help

13. Browse the site pages:
 Check out the Research page for evidence
 Check out the Resources page for a variety of
practical tips, guides, tools and other helpful
information
 Visit the Demos page for how-to sessions

14. Feel free to comment!
Use the comments on any page to share your
thoughts, questions, experiences, suggestions –
or your own tips!

15. Slideshow references
 Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
About UDL (http://
www.cast.org/udl/index.html)
 CAST (2011). Universal Design for Learning
Guidelines version 2.0. Wakefield, MA: Author.

16. Image attributions
All images are shared to flickr under Creative Commons
licenses by users as indicated:
Slide 1: BY-NC-SA, kunchia
http://www.flickr.com/people/kunchia/
Slide 3: BY-SA, marfis75
(http://www.flickr.com/people/marfis75/)
Slide 5: BY-ND, e-magic
http://www.flickr.com/people/emagic/
Slide 11: BY-NC-SA, protographer23
http://www.flickr.com/people/protographer23/
Slide 14: BY-NC, premasagar,
http://www.flickr.com/people/dharmasphere/