1. Universal Design for Learning
An Educator’s Guide
Kristi Carlson
Walden University
EDUC 6714

2. What is UDL?
 ―an approach to teaching, learning and assessment‖
(Howard, 2004, p. 26)
 ―flexible curricula that provide students with multiple
ways of accessing content, multiple means for
expressing what they learn, and multiple pathways for
engaging their interest and motivation‖ (Howard, 2004,
p. 26-27)
 UDL…―give all individuals equal opportunities to learn‖
(CAST, Inc., 2007–2011)

3. Inspiration for UDL
 The idea of ―Universal Design‖ connects to architectural
design and the idea that all buildings need to be accessible
to all people. (i.e. ramps, elevators, wider doorways)
 Universal Design for Learning is about providing alternatives
so every child can learn. As teachers we must make sure we
provide flexibility in the curriculum and our teaching
method/style.
 Reauthorization of IDEA in 1997 mandates that all ―students
be taught and make progress within the general education
curriculum‖ (Laureate, 2009)
 CAST Video Overview
 Choose ―Watch a Video‖
 Choose ―Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning‖

4. Universal Design for Learning
.…a shift in our thinking….
 More than our traditional adaptations and accommodations
 Every student must be provided with the opportunity to learn
(Laureate, 2009)
 No longer just focused on the individual student, we are now
focusing on the broader educational environment (Laureate,
2009)
 Not simply ―fixing‖ the student but ―fixing‖ how we teach and
use our curriculum
 No longer a one-size fits all approach to teaching and learning
 Ask yourself--Is every student actually learning in my
classroom?

5. UDL in Action
―…each student (needs) to have access to the curriculum in a
way that promotes the most learning for that individual‖
(Howard, 2004, p. 27)
 Providing multiple levels of text on the same content
 Learning about frogs—find books on frogs in multiple
reading levels
 Digital copies of text with the read back capabilities at
different speeds
 Develop Learning Profiles and teach to these learning
styles, preferences, intelligences
 Make Choices available—this is more reflective of the
real world

6. Universal Design
Outside the World of Education
What
implications
does the idea
of Universal
Design have on
us in the
classroom?

7. Three Principles of UDL and Brain Research
 I: Multiple Means of Representation
 Recognition Network of the Brain
 II: Means of Action and Expression
 Strategic Network of the Brain
 III: Multiple Means of Engagement
 Affective Network of the Brain

8. Multiple Means of Representation
 presenting content and information in a variety of ways
 Source www.cast.org
 Recognition Network of the brain deals pattern recognition and the brain’s
ability to process patterns (Laureate, 2009)
Instructional Examples
 Visual/Auditory/Tactile/Kinesthetic
 Different Size Text/Color/Font
 Ability to amplify sound as needed
 Graphic Organizers w/pictures and text
 Examples
 Connect to other experiences

9. Multiple Means of Action and Expression
 Providing multiple ways for students to show what they know
 Source www.cast.org
 Strategic Network of the brain deals with the process, plans and
actions for the plans (Laureate, 2009)
Instructional Examples
 Providing choice—written, verbal, project-based
 Different software tools—mouse, keyboard, joystick
 Scaffolding and Activating Background Knowledge
 Use of wait time

10. Multiple Means of Engagement
 Stimulate interest and motivation for learning
 Source www.cast.org
 Affective network of the brain deals with emotions and sorting out
what’s important and what’s not (Laureate, 2009)
 Instructional Examples
 Engaging learners
 Working alone, with partners, small group…providing choice
 Material must be relevant and interesting
 Use goal-setting
 Providing Choice and Options
 Rubrics and Checklists

11. Technology and UDL
―… powerful digital technologies applied using UDL
principles enable easier and more effective
customization of curricula for learners. Advances in
technology…have made ―on-the-fly‖
individualization of curricula possible in practical,
cost-effective ways, and many of these technologies
have built in supports, scaffolds, and challenges to
help learners understand, navigate, and engage with
the learning environment.‖
Universal Design for Learning Guidelines CAST 2011

12. Technology and UDL
 If used correctly, technology can provide the flexibility
necessary to make learning accessible to all students.
 Just as planning without technology much thought needs to
go into planning with technology
 A good question to ask yourself: Does the technology allow
students to do things different and do different things?
 If yes….then you are moving in the right direction of using
technology to help you meet the goals of UDL

13. Examples of Technology
 Podcasts  Edmodo
 Wikis  Moodle
 Blogs  Wallwisher
 Text-to-Speech Programs  Google Docs
 Microsoft Word
 Kerpoof
 changing text size, color, type
 Thinkmap
 Online Graphic Organizers
 Bubble.us  Illuminations
 Glogster  eReaders
 Online Visual Thesaurus
 CAST eTrekker

14. UDL at Black Diamond Elementary
 Incorporating the principles of UDL will provide ALL students
the opportunity to learn.
 Incorporating the principles of UDL will help us meet the needs
of ALL of our diverse learners.
 Incorporating the principles of UDL will keep ALL students
engaged and motivated in their learning.

15. CAST Online Tools and Resources
 Book Builder—Create and edit books so students can be reading
books about a particular content at their instructional level.
 UDL Lesson Builder—Create and edit lessons which incorporate
UDL principles. Search for other lessons already created by
educators.
 Strategy Tutor—Planning on doing a research project with your
students? Strategy tutor will provide support when students
research via the internet. ―Strategy Tutor helps students read,
research, collect and understand information better and more
efficiently.‖
http://cst.cast.org/cst/guest/SPAGE,whatis

16. Additional Resources
 Center for Applied Special Technology
 CAST Lesson Builder
 National Center on Universal Design for Learning
 Technology Toolkit Wiki for UDL in the Classroom
 National Center for Learning Disabilities
 Search for UDL for related articles, commonly asked
questions, other online tools

17. References
CAST, Inc. (2007–2011). UDL curriculum self-check: Learn about
Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Retrieved from
http://udlselfcheck.cast.org/learn.php
CAST (2011). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version
2.0. Wakefield, MA: Author.
Howard, K. L. (2004). Universal design for learning: Meeting the needs
of all students. Learning & Leading with Technology, 31(5), 26–29.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Reaching an
engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.