I stumbled upon Universal Design for Learning when I was researching scholarly articles for my Master's thesis several years ago. Since then, I have seen it become a more widely used term and practice in my school. I have also seen it appear more in the EdTech podcasts I listen to, blogs that I read, and sessions that I attend at education conferences. This fills me with joy! The UDL guidelines, which I admit were a little overwhelming to wrap my head around when I first learned about them, were a useful framework to guide my thinking about how to make my curricula accessible to all of my students.
What is Universal Design for Learning and how did it come about?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a way for teachers to think about how they can optimize teaching and learning. It is based on the concept of Universal Design, a design approach that emphasizes the composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people (National Disability Authority). Researchers and clinicians at CAST (The Center for Applied Special Technology) refined the UDL guidelines to what they are today.
UDL is organized in 3 main guidelines: provide multiple means of engagement, provide multiple means of representation, and provide multiple means of action and expression. These guidelines are further broken down into 3 checkpoints that guide teachers in providing options for accessing, building, and internalizing information (see graphic organizer below or click here for a larger version).
How can I learn more about UDL?
If you're curious about UDL, there are many resources out there to help you learn more about the guidelines.
- Into podcasts? Check out the Assist Learning podcast from Jennifer Cronk - a teacher and LD learner. In particular, I enjoyed her interview with Dr. Katie Novak, the author of UDL Now!
- Read Dr. Katie Novak's book UDL Now!. You could even start a book study group with some other interested teachers like a few of my colleagues did last spring.
- CAST's website has A TON of free materials, including their UDL Guidelines site, a FAQ page, and a free and accessible version of Universal Design for Learning: Theory and Practice by Anne Meyer, David Rose, and David Gordon.
How can I start to apply UDL in practical ways in my classroom?
Education theory and research aren't very useful or practical for teachers if they're not applicable on a day-to-day basis. Here are a few resources to help you start applying the guidelines in small, meaningful ways.
- Check out CAST's Free Learning Tools Page. In particular, look at the UDL Exchange, a place where teachers can browse and build lesson plans and resources.
- ISTE's blog post "30+ tools for diverse learners" helps teachers sift through the sea of edtech tools to find the "tried and true" ones.
- This post on Understood.org suggests 5 simple ways for teachers to jump in and start applying UDL in their classes
Are you using UDL or are starting to use UDL to think about your students' learning? Feel free to share your thoughts and comment below!
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