Universal Design For Learning

The Universal Design For Learning is a framework which can be used in the

classroom and it enables learners to receive learning through different

methods and channels. It also allows students to do their work using different

means. This framework is supported by three principles which are referred to

as the three block model. UDL is applied to all the students in a classroom,

however most of the research is aimed towards children with disabilities.

The first principle is aimed at the social-emotional aspect of the students. The

teacher needs to understand that the students come from different

backgrounds and when given assignments, they can be varied to make them

more appropriate for the social background of a student. This principle also

focuses on the engagement of students in class and for this to happen,

students need to be given the opportunity to use the technological tools

which make them more able to participate in class. These technological tools

can vary from tablets, the use of a computer in the class room and the VR

(virtual reality) which is being introduced in schools.

The second principle focuses on the different ways that the teacher can use to

present the educational information to the students. The use of projectors in

classrooms means that multimedia formats such as videos can be used.

Individual devices such as tablets can also be used to provide interactive

experiences to students. Children with disabilities may have specialized

devices for instance an AAC (Alternative Augmentative Communication) which

can also be used to present the information on or to express them selves.

When the teacher shows students how to solve a problem, it must be

understood that not all students learn best using the same method. Some

students prefer watching a video, others prefer the teacher showing them the

method with necessary repetition, while others may prefer hands-on

experience.

The third principle is about how the students can use different means to

express their abilities when doing assignments. Nowadays, more and more

digital experiences are being developed and sometimes children are more up

to date with these than the teachers. The conventional way of doing an

assignment is by writing a report pencil to paper. Research shows that not all

students are confident doing this and may find that other means of presenting

their work gets the students more involved and motivated. Digital means of

achieving this includes, doing videos or digital presentations for instance

power point presentation. Some children may also prefer to use spoken

language to express themselves rather than writing. Typing software can

greatly benefit children with fine motor impairments as they would find it

easier to type than conventional writing. 

These three blocks or principles provide the fundamentals of Universal Design

of Learning. Like other learning inclusion frameworks and methodologies it

aims to make education more accessible to everyone irrespective of their

disability. This can be supported by the myriad of technological advances that

we see in today’s world by integrating these tools as ways of allowing children

to learn and express themselves.

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/universal-design-for-learning-what-it-is-and-
how-it-works

https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl