Universal design for learning, or UDL, is a method of teaching and curriculum design that focuses on allowing all students to succeed. Rather than attempting to find a universal teaching method, it aims to be flexible and adjust to the needs of each individual student. The approach is meant to help everyone, but it can specifically benefit disabled students and English Language Learners.
The principles of UDL are divided into three categories: providing multiple means of engagement (the “what” of learning), multiple means of representation (the “how” of learning), and multiple means of action and expression (the “why” of learning). Under the category of multiple means of representation are recruiting interest, sustaining effort and persistence, and self-regulation. Under multiple means of representation are providing options for perception, language and symbols, and comprehension. Under action and expression are providing options for physical action, expression and communication, and executive functions.
Some examples of these include presenting the content in multiple ways, such as role plays, guest speakers, case studies, and field trips, and using a variety of materials, like PowerPoints, videos, visuals, and readings. This benefits students who have different learning styles, and who might have a disability that makes some formats inaccessible. Professors can implement this by assigning videos to supplement readings for homework assignments. It also means adding image descriptions to visual content, and captions to spoken content to make these formats accessible for students with hearing or vision-related disabilities.
To address the multiple ways of representation, UDL often involves providing executive function support, such as providing scaffolding. This can help students with conditions such as ADHD who might struggle with this aspect of a course. In practice, this can look like providing background information, providing outlines, or providing study guides.
It also addresses assessments, so teachers will often provide multiple forms of assessment, such as visual or oral presentations, not just written assignments. Not all students express themselves well in writing, or in timed, high stakes exams. Providing multiple types of assessments allows different students to show their understanding accurately. Some examples include a creative component to supplement an essay, or giving a presentation instead of taking an exam.
The idea of universal design is also used in architecture and product design where it’s used to refer to making a design more accessible to people with disabilities. The idea is that building things to be more accessible benefits everyone, not just disabled people, in something known as the Curb Cut effect. For example, adding ramps benefits people who use wheelchairs, but also people with kids in strollers and those with shopping carts or suitcases.