Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework that aims to provide all students with equal opportunities to learn by reducing barriers and providing flexibility. UDL is based on three principles: providing multiple means of presentation, expression, and engagement. By incorporating UDL, teachers can reach more diverse learners through varying teaching methods, assessments, and incorporating assistive technologies. Research shows the brain learns best when recognition, strategic, and affective networks are engaged. UDL supports this by presenting material in different ways and allowing varied forms of student expression and interaction with lessons.

1. Universal Design for Learning
Jordan White
Walden University
Prof. Evelyn Thompson
Reaching and Engaging all Learners through Technology
November 28th
, 2010

2. What is UDL?
• Universal Design for Learning is an
approach with its roots in architecture that
helps create a curriculum in which
everyone can succeed.
• Just as building are to be used and
accessed by the maximum number of
people, UDL is trying to allow for the
maximum amount of learners.
http://www.cast.org/research/udl/index.html

3. Inspirations for UDL
Language selection
Braille for the
seeing impaired
Audio jacks for the hearing
impaired
This ATM is
outfitted with
many design
features so the
most amount of
people can use it
effectively.

4. Presentation
Expression Engagement
3 Principles of UDL3 Principles of UDL

5. Presentation
• The presentation portion of UDL is how
students receive the lesson or information.
Students can
read the
information
individually.
Students can explore
websites in order to
familiarize themselves. Lecture or presentation
modes with an
instructor and pictures.
A film or movie could be used
to present information to
students.

6. Expression
• This principle offers students many output
modes to display the knowledge gained.
Podcasting offers
an outlet for
learners to
describe their
learning.
Students can create
a website to show
and exhibit their
knowledge.
Collaborative
learning can be
shown with the
implementation of
a wiki.

7. Engagement
• Students are engaged and engrossed by
the material and lesson to motivate each
student to do their best to learn.

8. Technology and UDL
• Technology facilitates UDL because it
offers so many avenues for students to
absorb and display their knowledge.
• For example, students can express their
knowledge in many different ways using
technology.

9. Potential Impact at my School
• UDL offers multiple types of assessments
• UDL creates differentiation for students to
absorb and display knowledge
• UDL creates projects that have more
meaning to students
• UDL will help learners who struggle with
traditional instruction

10. Brain Research and UDL
• The brain has three distinct sets of
networks that must work in conjunction in
order for learning to take place.
Recognition Strategic
Affective

11. Recognition
• This network of
the brain is
responsible for
identifying and
recalling
images or
information.
(Rose, D., & Meyer, A., 2002)
Taken from CAST website

12. Strategic
• This network of
the brain is
specific to
carrying out the
process that is
related to the
learning.
(Rose, D., & Meyer, A., 2002)
Taken from CAST website

13. Affective
• This network
of the brain is
responsible
for
sequencing
material.
(Rose, D., & Meyer, A., 2002)
Taken from CAST website

14. How does UDL support Cultural
Diversity?
• UDL will allow students of all learning and
expression types to be reached
educationally.
• More students will be able to succeed at a
higher level and have a more profound
impact.

15. CAST Tools
• UDL Lesson Builder
• Teaching Every Student

16. How can my school use it?
• My school can adopt this model to easily
assist more students with learning that is
more fun and relevant to each student.

17. Resources
Center for Applied Special Technology
(CAST), (2010) Universal Design for
Learning.
Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching
Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal
Design for Learning.