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Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning is an approach to designing curricula that eliminates barriers in the learning environment in order to improve educational experiences for all learners.

Universal Design for Learning includes:

  • Multiple means of representation
  • Multiple means of action and expression
  • Multiple means of engagement

Types of networks

Recognition networks

Recognition networks involve perceiving and gathering information, gathering ideas, recalling facts, and recognizing voice and language.

Strategic networks

Strategic networks involve planning, organizing, connecting ideas, executing actions, and demonstrating skills.

Affective networks

Affective networks assign meaning to new knowledge and determine what stimulates us during the learning process.

Multiple Means of Representation

This principle focuses on variety in the delivery of instruction.

Think of all the different media types and how different people may prefer to read compared to watching a video.

Guidelines:

  1. Provide options for perception.
  2. Provide options for language, math expressions, and symbols.
  3. Provide options for comprehension.

Understanding Multiple Means of Representation

Think about all the different ways we learn and prefer to learn. Some of the most common methods are:

  • Visually through sight
  • Auditorily through sound
  • Physically through touch

The main focus is to provide options that users can adjust to meet their needs, such as:

  • Text resizing
  • Adjustable sound levels
  • Various authors and reading levels
  • Definitions and clarification
  • Ways to connect learning to learner interests, patterns, and meaning

The lesson gives three ways to represent the same idea:

1 + 1 = 2

One plus one equals two.

If you have one piece of candy and your friend gives you one piece of candy, how many pieces do you have in total?

Multiple Means of Action and Expression

This principle focuses on providing multiple ways for learners to share and demonstrate what they know.

Action and expression require a great deal of strategy, practice, and organization, and this is another area in which learners will differ.

Guidelines:

  1. Provide options for physical action.
  2. Provide options for expression and communication.
  3. Provide options for executive function.

Understanding Multiple Means of Action and Expression

For interaction, provide and honor various methods for response, navigation, and movement while ensuring everything is accessible.

For expression and communication, provide multiple ways to communicate and provide tools for construction, composition, and creativity to measure and facilitate practice and performance.

When designing and developing strategies, set meaningful goals, plan for challenges, and be prepared to combat exclusionary actions.

Multiple Means of Engagement

This principle focuses on getting learners motivated, involved, and excited with their education while allowing them to be themselves and relate to their lives.

Guidelines:

  1. Provide options for recruiting interest.
  2. Provide options for sustaining effort and persistence.
  3. Provide options for self-regulation.

Understanding Multiple Means of Engagement

For interest and identities, optimize choice, autonomy, relevance, value, and authenticity while nurturing play and joy.

To sustain effort, make sure learners know the meaning of the goals while understanding and managing challenges. Provide action-oriented feedback.

Also consider the learner's work preference, including working alone, on a team, or as a community.

From the emotional lens, recognize expectations, beliefs, and motivations. Learners should be aware of themselves and others, express empathy, and take time to reflect both on their own and in groups.

Universal importance

When we design and build universally, we include everyone, not just those without disabilities.

We include people in:

  • Entertainment
  • Work
  • Education
  • Exhibition
  • All other aspects of life

Additional note: UDL is not about lowering expectations. It is about reducing unnecessary barriers so learners have more than one way to access information, stay engaged, and show what they know.

Quick comparison

UDL principle Main question
Multiple Means of Representation How can learners receive and understand the information?
Multiple Means of Action and Expression How can learners interact and show what they know?
Multiple Means of Engagement How can learners connect, persist, and stay motivated?

Video and self-study resources

Video links

Self-study links