Universal Design for Learning
“Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn.”
—CAST
Get Started with the "Plus-One Approach"
In their book, Reach Everyone, Teach Everyone: Universal Deisgn for Learning in Higher Education, Thomas Tobin and Kirsten Behling discuss the Plus-One Approach for implementing UDL:
Having taught your exsisting courses repreatedly offers you one big advantage when it comes to adopting UDL methods: historical data. Think back and identify the places where your exsisting students bog down.
- Where do they always have questions?
- Where do they always get things wrong on tests or assignments?
- Where do they always ask for explanations in a different way from the one you provided?
Select these exsisting pinch points and adopt the plus-one approach at each point.
(Tobin and Behling, 2018)
The plus-one approach can be added to any interaction between the student and the learning environment, either with the instructor, other students or the materials.
- In addition to providing a recording of your lecture allow students to download a transcipt of the recording.
- In addition to student submitting a written response to requried reading allow them to submit an audio recording.
- In addition to providing student written feedback on assignment ask if they would prefer to have feedback in the form of audio or video.
- In addition to fielding student questions in class allow students to submit questions in a digital space such as your LMS.
Watch Thomas Tobin describe the Plus-One Approach
Next Steps
Consider meeting with a member of the UDL team to discuss ways to integrate UDL principles into your current teacing practices or develop new strategies to account for learner variability. For more information please contact Zachary Adams at adams@hope.edu.
Additional Resources
- Reach Everyone & Teach Everyone with Universal Design for Learning
Summer 2021 virtual workshop through Hope College - Creating Accessible Digital Content
Summer 2020 virtual workshop through Hope College - Create multiple ways to reach all learners – UDL and Moodle
Moodle UDL Blog Series - Creating Accesible Learning Environments
Vanderbilt Center for Teaching - Desiging your course with learner variability in mind
UMass Amherst Center for Teaching & Learning - Developing Guided Notes
The K. Patricia Cross Academy
Virtual Center for Teaching & Learning
Van Wylen Library
53 Graves Place
Floor 2
Holland, MI 49423
P. 616.395.7883
Join the UDL Community of Practice
The UDL Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of Hope College faculty and staff committed to expanding the use of UDL principles across campus. Contact Zachary Adams if you have questions or if your intersted in joining the team.