Design for Each and Every Learner: Universal Design for Learning Modules

The “What” of UDL

The vision of universally designing instruction for all learners is a tall task. This is where CAST’s  UDL Guidelines and the UDL framework can support educators to take steps to proactively anticipate the range of learners in the classroom to ensure more equitable learning opportunities. The UDL Guidelines and framework offer guidance for ensuring learners can access, build, and internalize the necessary learning standards, skills, and content in any discipline and develop as expert learners. 

This module includes three key concepts to understand:

• the structure of the UDL Guidelines and how can help educators get started using them;
• the UDL framework and the UDL Guidelines can be used together to design for inclusive learning align; and
• there are ways to use UDL to ensure access to meaningful, challenging learning opportunities. 

As you work through Module 2, please add to Your UDL Journal.

Part 1: Build background

The UDL Guidelines

The UDL Guidelines are a tool that educators can use to design and plan for each and every learner. They are organized both vertically and horizontally. Vertically, they are aligned to three broad brain networks that every individual has: engagement networks involved in the “why” of learning, recognition networks involved in the “what” of learning, and strategic networks involved in the “how” of learning. Horizontally, they are designed to ensure there are opportunities to access, build, and internalize learning.

Explore video about CAST’s UDL Guidelines (~10 slides). After reviewing the video, choose 2-3 options to build additional background.

• Video: Introduction to the UDL Guidelines from CAST’s co-founder David Rose (2 min)
• Article: About the Graphic Organizer (~ 2 pages) or Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the UDL Guidelines (~ 5 pages)
• Print, bookmark, or download a version of CAST’s UDL Guidelines
  • version with numbers (if you like to reference the checkpoints that way)
  • version without numbers (if you find the numbers distracting)
  • version without checkpoint descriptions (if you prefer to add your own examples and strategies)
• List of Inclusive Strategies from the TIES Center that are aligned with the UDL Guidelines. (~ 8 pages)

As you build your background about the UDL Guidelines, demonstrate your understanding: How are the UDL Guidelines structured? In your own words, what do the 9 UDL Guidelines mean? How do you already use strategies and tools that align to the UDL Guidelines?

The UDL Framework

UDL is not about implementing every one of the UDL Guidelines and Checkpoints. Instead, think of the UDL framework as a problem-solving process to intentionally reduce barriers by infusing options for students to achieve the learning goals. UDL can be integrated into instruction by proactively designing the goals, assessments, methods, and materials to have options for Engagement, Representation, and Action and Expression.

The way educators implement tools, resources, or strategies will vary, but the “UDL thinking” will be consistent: focus on barriers in the environment, rather than viewing barriers as being in the student; and focus on proactive design with options for Engagement, Representation, and Action and Expression to empower students to progress in their learning.

Explore this resource, UDL: A Teacher’s Guide . After reviewing the resource, choose 2-3 options to build additional background about the UDL Framework.

• CAST Tips for Designing a UDL Learning Experiences (~3 pages).
• TIES Center Inclusive Strategies (~5 pages)
• UDL Strategies from Goalbook.
• UDL Theory and Practice (free online version), chapter 6 : What is a UDL Curriculum (16 pages).

As you build your background about the UDL framework, demonstrate understanding: How is the UDL framework aligned to the UDL Guidelines? How do you determine the goals, assessments, methods, and materials of your learning experience? How do UDL and inclusion intersect?

Start with Accessibility

The top horizontal level of the Guidelines, the Access level, is a critical starting place for design. Students must have access to the content for learning. 

Look at access in your goals, assessments, methods, and materials. For any learning experience, you can ask: How are there options for recruiting interest, perception, and physical action? Continue to reflect on how the horizontal structure of the UDL Guidelines supports how you design for learning in your classroom or context.

Explore this page, Access to Learning . After reviewing the page, choose 2-3 options to build additional background about accessibility. 

• Website: Design accessible materials using the POUR principles (~1 page)
• AEM Center modules : 5 modules on creating accessible documents, videos, technologies, and more (each module ~1 hour)
• Create accessible graphic organizers (~5 pages)
• Learn from the perspective of students how technology can be Game-Changing in their engagement and learning

As you build your background about accessibility and the UDL Guidelines, understanding: What are ways you can design options for recruiting interest, perception, and physical action in your lessons?

Part 2: Try it

Now that you have built some background implement an idea in your work. Record what you observe in student learning in Your UDL Journal. Share ideas with colleagues.

Option 1:

If your goal is to improve classroom instruction: Focus on one UDL Guideline .

• Choose one UDL Guideline. On your own or with a colleague, define the meaning of that UDL Guideline in your own words or images .
• Identify examples of tools and resources you use or could incorporate in your instruction that align with that UDL Guideline.

Start to add one of the tools or resources into a lesson this week. Note how that option impacts student learning.

Option 2:

To support adults as they collaborate: Focus on the accessibility of your coaching or professional development materials.

• Use one of the accessibility tools to model UDL implementation by making one of your documents or videos more accessible for professionals.

Start to observe how your colleagues respond to more options in their learning materials.

Part 3: Reflect and Connect

Document what you tried using an option that is best for you (i.e., using video, text, or audio options). Share with a collaborative partner: what did you learn, and how did your Try It impact student learning, especially for a student with significant cognitive disabilities? 

Reflect on what you learned: What key concept or resource most resonated with your practice as a teacher to support each and every learner, including students with significant cognitive disabilities?

Recognize and consider equity: What barriers were there in the instruction or curriculum (goals, assessments, methods, materials)? What are some systemic barriers to learning that are present in your context?  How does designing for one student provide the opportunity to benefit all students?

Part 4: Dive deeper

• Do you still want to learn more? Here are some suggestions:

  • Begin a reading group using a book of choice:
    • The Assistive Technology Wheel (2020). Retrieved from http://castpublishing.org/at-wheel/ 
    • Bowser, G., Carl, D. F., & Fonner, K. S. (2015). Quality indicators for assistive technology: A comprehensive guide to assistive technology services. CAST Professional Publishing. This book includes just-in-time resources for implementing the quality indicators for assistive technology.
    • UDL Theory and Practice book (free online), chapter 4 The UDL Framework .
  • Select a podcast: 
    • UDL experiences by inclusive educator Kathy Howerys (~15 min)
    • UDL in a Middle School Literacy Lab with Dakota Hudelson (~15 min)
    • UDL in Middle School Stem with Ben Kelly (~15 min)
    • UDL in Kindergarten with Karlene Warns (~15 min)
    • UDL at the Elementary Level with Kate Stanley (~15 min)
    • UDL in a 6th Grade World Cultures Class with Carla-Ann Brown (~15 min)
    • UDL in Art with Callie Mulcahy (~15 min)
    • UDL Leadership with Katie Moder (~15 min)
  • Review CAST’s UDL Core Knowledge Statements , which were developed as part of the UDL credentials
  • Blog: The UDL Approach Blog, Helping Educators Implement UDL (~2 pages)
  • CAST’s UDL Assessment videos (~20 min videos per section).
  • Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (focus on pages 6-7)
  • Journal article: Hartmann, E., & Weismer, P. (2016). Technology implementation and curriculum engagement for children and youth who are deafblind. American Annals of the Deaf, 161(4), 462-473.
  • Article: 3 Questions to Kickstart UDL in Your Classroom
  • Journal article: Lambert, R. (2021). The Magic Is in the Margins: UDL Math. Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12, 114(9), 660-669 [PDF document].

For the Record

ParDo you need to share how you spent your time? Here is a Self-check sheet with space to document and share your time and your learning.