What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
The basic premise within Universal Design for Learning is that flexibility in curriculum must be available to accommodate the diverse differences in student learners. Thus, the UDL framework encompasses three overarching principles that aim to minimize barriers and maximize learning.
A universally designed curriculum includes:
- multiple means of presentation to allow various ways of acquiring information and knowledge,
- multiple means of expression to allow alternatives for demonstrating knowledge, and
- multiple means of engagement to challenge appropriately, to motivate, and to allow learners to express and participate in their interests.
How can UDL help educators in the classroom?
Universal Design for Learning supports educators’ efforts to meet diversity in their
classroom by providing flexible instructional materials, techniques, and strategies that
help them differentiate instruction to meet these varied needs. It does this by providing
options for:
- Presenting information in different ways (the "what" of learning)
- Differentiating the ways that students can express what they know (the "how" of
learning)
- Stimulating interest and motivation for learning (the "why" of learning)
Students bring a huge variety of skills, needs, and interests to learning. Neuroscience
reveals that these differences are as varied and unique as our DNA.