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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to teaching and learning that focuses on providing maximum flexibility in all aspects of teaching and learning to cater to the wide range of student needs and interests. Providing flexible pathways for learning at each step in the learning process can be supportive of all learners in all curriculum areas and across all phases of learning.
UDL has grown from the field of architecture, product development and Universal Design. Features such as self-opening doors, wide doorways and ramp access have been proven to be useful for a wide range of people, not just the people with disabilities who inspired the original design. It was shown in architecture that planning for all users at the outset was more cost effective than trying to retrofit a building or public space after completion. The outcome was also more aesthetic.
Similarly, the key message in UDL is to plan curriculum with the needs of all students in mind at the outset. The end result is a curriculum developed in a more cost effective manner with less time spent later making adjustments or ‘retrofitting’ to meet the needs of individual students.
On these pages there are resources, articles and links to websites as well as presentations on UDL given by State-wide Education Advisers in Assistive Technology at DSSU.
What is Universal Design for Learning?
The CAST (Centre for Applied Special Technology) website states:
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for designing curricula that enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning. UDL provides rich supports for learning and reduces barriers to the curriculum while maintaining high achievement standards for all.
UDL provides a blueprint for creating flexible goals, methods, materials, and assessments that accommodate learner differences.
"Universal" does not imply a single optimal solution for everyone. Instead, it is meant to underscore the need for multiple approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners.
All aspects of the curriculum are incorporated into a UDL approach i.e. learning goals, resources, teaching strategies and assessment.
A universally designed curriculum is a curriculum that has been specifically designed, developed, and validated to meet the needs of the full range of students who are actually in our schools, students with a wide range of sensory, motor, cognitive, linguistic, and affective abilities and disabilities rather than a narrow range of students in the "middle" of the population. (Hitchcock and Stahl 2003)
References
CAST, 2006 CAST: Centre for Applied Special Technology [Online] viewed 11 July 2007, <http://www.cast.org>
Hitchcock, C & Stahl, S 2003 'Assistive Technology, Universal Design, Universal Design for Learning: Improved Learning Opportunities' Journal of Special Education Technology (18) 4: 45-52
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