Universal Design for Learning
Universal design means to design teaching, learning and environments to be suitable for, and usable by, all people.
- Consider multiple ways to deliver lessons to students, represent the content and invite students to express their learning of your content.
- For instance, allowing a person to record a lecture along with a PowerPoint presentation, providing graphs or images to accompany keywords and definitions, and accepting a video presentation done in lieu of a live presentation can make a world of a difference for a student.
Accessible Use
Useful and usable for all people. Example, a presentation design to be accessible for all would include closed captioning on videos and/or images along with text to help describe topic, etc.
Flexible Use
Fits the needs and interests of all people. A closed-captioned video allows reading or listening to content.
Simple and Intuitive
Easy to understand for all people. Including images or symbols to help with subject terminology helps all students.
Perceptible
Communicates necessary information effectively for all. Example, closed captioning on a video with loud background music.
Tolerance for Error
Minimize adverse consequences. Offering opportunities to students to correct errors on assignments and exams helps all students learn course content more effectively.
Low Physical Effort
Can be used efficiently and comfortably by all. Keeping office and classroom doors open allows an entrance and exit for all people.
Size and Space for Approach and Use
A flexible work area for use by all employees but also accessible for all students.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive.
Universal Design for Learning is based on what is known about the human brain. Like fingerprints, no two brains are alike.
Universal Design for Learning guidelines offer meaningful and challenging learning opportunities to all students.
Universal Design for Learning
- Students must learn how to speak for themselves, engage with professors, advisors and classmates.
- Suggest joining a student organization.
- Urge students to utilize success advising and campus resources.
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Consider what success looks like (to the student).
a. What grades are considered successful?
b. What does the student consider a realistic timeframe to finish their degree, and is this timeframe realistic based on the individual student?
- When making referrals to other offices/units, provide students with a specific contact name and coach them on how to initiate the conversation.
Universal Design Guidelines: In 1997, the seven principles of universal design were developed by a working group of architects, product designers, engineers and environmental design researchers, led by the late Ronald Mace in the North Carolina State University.
Universal Design for Learning: Almost 40 years ago, the Center for Applied Special Technology developed the framework of Universal Design for Learning to ensure all learning experiences are accessible to all.
