What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
Universal Design for Learning, also known as UDL, is a framework that supports inclusion, Ā and creating accessible learning for all students.
This framework helps to create a more inclusive learning environment by having multiple means of engagement, representation, action and expression. Having numerous different ways to motivate students and present content allows for greater accessibility, as each student can find a learning format that works for them regardless of ability or skill.
I think UDL can be applied in physical and digital classrooms to support diverse learning in similar ways both classroom settings can create flexible lectures, including self-taught, self-paced work, as well as guided assignments from the instructor. This variation makes sure each student resonates with at least one form of lecture.
Katie Novak wrote a fascinating book about UDL called UDL NOW! Which is a guide for teachers to integrate UDL learning into their classroom. The video below shares Novak’s discussion of the key principles to keep students engaged and ensure inclusivity. This video is relevant to our course learning as it helps give contacts to what UDL is and how to implement it in real-life situations. Click Here to watch the video and feel more empowered on how to integrate UDL into your classroom!
Ensuring Accessibility in Online Settings:
Many elements should be in place to make online learning accessible for all students. Some specific tools that can help ensure everyone has equitable access to digital resources include:
- Closed captioning
- Text to Speech
- Recorded Lectures
- Customizing settings- such as text size, photo size,
I see accessibility playing a role in my learning through the use of recorded lectures. If there’s a day that I am sick and cannot be in class in person are utilize the tool of looking back on lectures that were recorded this allows me to keep up with my peers and not fall behind.
The video below shows how important it is to consider these topics and continue to apply them to all online settings. It affects students just like you and me!
Press this to see the impact accessibility makes
Ethical Challenges of EdTech:
Educational technology has pros and cons. The pros include increased accessibility and different forms of lectures for students including videos, which can be more engaging to students.
However, there are some potential ethical issues related to using edtech in the classroom. Such as cyber security threats, privacy concerns, and increasing students’ screen time.
Educators must balance the benefits of technology with considering the concerns of privacy, data security and equity. They can do this by:
- educating students on the importance of protecting themselves and others while online.
- This should be a part of each class’s curriculum, setting students up for success online and empowering them to make good choices.
Online Learning has an increased emergence following the pandemic, some institutions have adapted well and they have continued with the online model, yet it still has some issues that must be addressed…
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13520-022-00148-z
Ethical Considerations in Digital Interactions:
Many ethical considerations arise in digital interactions. In learning and online social environments such as Digital Divide. This is the divide between people who have access to technology and Wi-Fi and the gap between those who don’t have the same access.
We have a responsibility as participants in online communities to support and respect others and be aware of accessibility issues. In the past, I knew a student whose computer broke down and couldn’t afford a new one I was happy to give them my old computer to bridge that gap and support their learning online!
To ensure my digital interactions are respectful inclusive and ethical, I will continue to engage respectfully, and be mindful of the digital divide.
https://medium.com/@ShwetaBarupal/digital-divide-a-critical-analysis-7156333237f7
I was a competitive dancer for 13 years. A learning environment I was a part of as a student was during COVID-19 our in-person lessons shut down indefinitely. Classes were taught online on Zoom, and we were dancing out of our living rooms.
It addressed the principles of UDL and accessibility well.
By putting dance classes onto Zoom instead of just cancelling them all together it allowed for us students to continue learning remotely. Our dance teachers were very empathetic and gave us a lot of leeway is it was not an easy transition. Classes were recorded for students who weren’t able to attend live. The teachers also made modifications if the studentās living rooms were too small to do the full routine.
Photo by Hudson Hintze on Unsplash
Improvements to ensure all learners were supported effectively even further could have included clearer instructions for movements because the screen was so small, sometimes I had to guess what the correct formation and dance positions were (I won’t bore you with the technical dance terms).
