Universal design in education refers to designing accessible and accommodating learning experiences for a wide range of students rather than just average students. It involves presenting information in multiple ways using various teaching techniques and visual aids. Students should be given options to demonstrate their understanding through writing, speaking, drawing or other skills. Educators should consider engagement techniques appropriate for each lesson and the types of learners involved. The goals are to be flexible, know students' needs and strengths, and plan lessons with built-in accommodations. Universal design benefits diverse learners.

1. Universal Design
Assignment 2.3
April Ferneding

2. What is Universal
Design?
 Universal design in the field of education refers to
designing a learning experience that is accessible
and accommodating. The goal of universal design
is to meet the needs of a wide range of students
rather than solely meeting the needs of the
‘average’ student.

3. The Principles and Guidelines of
Universal Design:
Multiple Means of Multiple Means of Multiple Means of
Presentation Action and Expression Engagement
-Within this principle educators -Within this principle the - Within this principle educators
must keep in mind the types of educator must give students must critically think about what
learners they are working with. options in how they are going to types of engagement works for
Information should be ‘show what they know.’ the variety of students whom
presented in various ways using Students should be able to use they are working with. Because
an assortment of visual aids their skills to express their some students may be auditory
and teaching techniques. understanding of the content. learners and some students
may be distracted by sounds
-Example: when teaching -Example: when teaching the educator must decide which
students about the number one students sequencing events engagement techniques will be
teachers should present the when telling a storey students appropriate for each lesson.
information in multiple ways: should be allowed to represent
-One, 1 and  their knowledge through
writing, speaking or drawing.

4. How to Implement
Universal Design:
When implementing Universal design an educator must:
- Be flexible
- Know their students needs
- Know their students strengths
- Plan lessons with accommodations and options built into
them
- Allow for students to demonstrate comprehension using
multiple actions and expressions

5. The benefits of
Universal Design:
 Universal Design meets the needs of a diverse
group of learners such as ELL students, students
with disabilities, struggling students, gifted
students and students developing at an average
rate.
 Universal Design requires that educators think
critically about the methods in which they are
teaching as well as the methods in which they
assess student comprehension.

6. Sources:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfsx3DGpv5o&feature=relmfu
 http://www.washington.edu/doit/CUDE/inst_sec.html
 http://www.dreamstime.com/
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3ardmq0a0&feature=relmfu
 http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Programs/ud.html