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(developed by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning)
What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
UDL can be thought of as a methodology for designing a curriculum that includes a variety of different alternatives for both accessibility and appropriateness of content due to the varied nature of people and learning contexts. Issues to consider include learners' different backgrounds, learning styles, abilities, and disabilities.
The term "universal" "reflects an awareness of the unique nature of each learner and the need to accommodate differences, creating learning experiences that suit the learner and maximize his or her ability to progress" (CAST, accessed February 18, 2004)
What are the UDL principles?
Following are the main UDL principles listed on the Ohio State University Partnership Grant website for you to consider while planning out your course(s):
- Identify the essential course content.
- Clearly express the essential content and any feedback given to the student.
- CITL Tip: your syllabus is a critical part of this process as it is among your first, if not the very first, communication with your students. For more information, review the CITL Syllabus Creation Guide.
- DSS Recommended Syllabus Statement: "Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss specific needs. Please contact the Office of Disability Support Services at 202-994-8250 in the Marvin Center, Suite 242, to establish eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations."
- Integrate supports for learning
- CITL Tip: establish a sense of community among your students so that they can rely on and learn from each other. Include appropriate study guides, advance organizers etc. to support your students' learning process.
- Use a variety of instructional methods when presenting material.
- CITL Tip: Review the Teaching Tips section of the CITL website to learn what strategies GWU faculty are utilizing in their teaching.
- Allow for multiple methods of demonstrating understanding of essential course content.
- Use technology to increase accessibility.
- CITL Tip: Consider reviewing the CITL Designing Instruction Guide. Step 6 of the guide addresses what technology or teaching tools you might use.
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