Embracing Universal Design for Learning: Demanding Inclusivity and Engagement in Education

Educators strive to create learning environments that cater to the unique needs and abilities of every learner. However, traditional approaches, such as teaching to the “average learner” or the sage on stage (King, 1993) approaches often fall short of addressing the diverse learning styles, backgrounds, and abilities present in the learning environment. To overcome these challenges and promote inclusivity and engagement, educators need look no further than to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a guiding framework. By embracing UDL principles, educators can create agile and inclusive learning experiences that empower all learners to succeed. It is paramount to understand the importance of UDL in promoting inclusivity and engagement in the learning environment. UDL is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. It is based on the understanding that every learner is unique and learns in different ways. By providing multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement, UDL aims to remove barriers to learning and optimize each learner’s potential for success. Drawing insights from renowned educators and researchers such as CAST, Katie Novak, Catlin R. Tucker, Robert Marzano, Sir Ken Robinson, John Spencer, A.J. Juliani, and Wiggins and McTighe, will help to create a meaningful picture of the UDL framework.

UDL is a research-based framework that guides the design of educational environments to meet the diverse needs of all learners. It is based on three core principles set forth by CAST:

Multiple Means of Representation: This principle recognizes that learners have different ways of perceiving and comprehending information. Educators can present content in various formats such as text, audio, video, and graphics to cater to diverse learning styles. For example, providing captions for videos benefits not only learners who are deaf or hard of hearing but also those who prefer to read along while watching.

Multiple Means of Action & Expression: Universal Design for Learning acknowledges that learners have different preferences and abilities when it comes to demonstrating their understanding. Offering options for expressing knowledge through writing, speaking, drawing, or multimedia projects allows learners to choose the method that best suits their strengths and preferences. For instance, a learner with dyslexia might excel in oral presentations rather than written essays.

Multiple Means of Engagement: This principle focuses on promoting motivation and sustaining learners’ interest in learning. By offering diverse and interactive learning experiences, educators can cater to learners’ individual interests, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. Incorporating hands-on activities, real-world examples, and opportunities for collaboration can increase student engagement and foster a positive learning environment.

1. Meeting Diverse Learning Needs

UDL is crucial for creating inclusive learning environments where every learner, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, can thrive. As Katie Novak emphasizes in her book UDL Now!, UDL helps educators ensure that all learners have equal access to learning opportunities by removing barriers and providing multiple pathways to success. One of the primary reasons for promoting UDL is to ensure that all learners have access to high-quality education.

2. Fostering Engagement and Motivation

Catlin R. Tucker, in The Complete Guide to Blended Learning, highlights the importance of engagement in the learning process. UDL encourages educators to design learning experiences that are inherently motivating and relevant to learners’ interests and abilities. By offering choice and autonomy, UDL promotes active engagement and ownership of learning.

3. Embracing Diversity and Equity

Sir Ken Robinson, a leading advocate for creativity and innovation in education, emphasizes the importance of valuing diversity in the classroom. UDL promotes equity by recognizing and celebrating learners’ diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. By embracing UDL principles, educators can create learning environments that honor and respect individual differences.

4. Empowering Student Agency

John Spencer and A.J. Juliani, in their work on student-centered learning, underscores the importance of empowering learners to take ownership of their learning. UDL promotes agency by giving learners a voice and choice in how they learn and demonstrate their understanding. By fostering self-awareness and self-advocacy skills, Universal Design for Learning empowers learners to become active participants in their education.

1. Varied Instructional Materials

Drawing from the principles of UDL, educators can create and adapt instructional materials to meet the diverse needs of learners. This includes providing alternative formats for textbooks, incorporating multimedia resources, and utilizing technology to enhance accessibility. ‘“Whole Brain Teaching” techniques keep students engaged in learning and makes classrooms easy to manage because it combines auditory, verbal, and visual elements of teaching instruction” (Torres, 2009, p. 4). Be sure to know your learner profiles and learning styles.

2. Differentiated Instruction

Robert Marzano, in The Art and Science of Teaching, emphasizes the importance of differentiated instruction in meeting the needs of diverse learners. Universal Design for Learning encourages educators to differentiate instruction based on learners’ strengths, interests, and preferences, thereby ensuring that all learners can access and engage with the curriculum. Let us also remember that preference can include the environment. “By creating a classroom culture in which students do rather than just listen, you can promote a wide variety of benefits in students, including improved on-task behavior, increased collaboration, increased self-confidence, greater risk-taking, and additional opportunities for leadership roles” (McGlynn & Kozlowski, 2017, p.24). This is also how learners are provided agency!<

3. Authentic Assessment

Wiggins and McTighe, in Understanding by Design, advocate for authentic assessment methods that allow students to demonstrate their understanding in meaningful ways. UDL encourages educators to use a variety of assessment strategies, including performance tasks, projects, and portfolios, that align with learners’ diverse abilities and learning styles.

Universal Design for Learning offers a powerful framework for promoting inclusivity and engagement in the learning environment. By embracing UDL principles and drawing insights from leading educators and researchers such as CAST, Katie Novak, Catlin R. Tucker, Robert Marzano, Sir Ken Robinson, John Spencer, A.J. Juliani, Wiggins and McTighe, and a wide array of others, educators can create learning environments that honor and celebrate the diversity of all learners. By removing barriers, fostering engagement, and empowering learner agency, UDL enables every learner to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. As educators, it is our responsibility to embrace UDL and create inclusive learning environments where all learners can thrive.