Universal Design for Learning in higher education: mapping awareness initiatives
Main Article Content
Abstract
In response to the increasing diversity of students in Higher Education, there have been some advances in promoting environments where everyone can learn. One of the emerging approaches is Universal Design for Learning - a framework that improves and maximizes the teaching and learning process by designing accessible, inclusive and flexible learning experiences, regardless of students' individual attributes. Originating from Universal Design and based on evidence from research in neurosciences and learning sciences, this approach requires a set of concerted awareness initiatives for its understanding and implementation. This article aims to understand how awareness of Universal Design for Learning, aimed at teaching staff, is being promoted by Higher Education Institutions. This qualitative study, through bibliographical research and e-research, maps initiatives to raise awareness of Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education. For this study 48 Higher Education Institutions were located, in eight countries, with initiatives to raise awareness of this approach. Through content analysis, the initiatives identified consisted of: information; publications; resources; examples; events; training; Community of Practice; and other initiatives. The data generated indicates that the provision of information and online resources were the awareness initiatives identified with the highest incidence. Perhaps, knowledge of the identified initiatives can contribute to their transferability to other Higher Education Institutions, as well as increasing and facilitating the adoption of the Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Alba Pastor, C. (2019). Diseño universal para el aprendizaje: Un modelo teórico-práctico para una educación inclusiva de calidad. Participación Educativa, 6(9), 55-68.
Balta, J. Y., Supple, B., & O’Keeffe, G. W. (2021). The universal design for learning framework in anatomical sciences education. Anatomical Sciences Education, 14, 71–78. DOI 10.1002/ase.1992
Bañuelos, A. M. (2021). Aplicación del Diseño Universal para el Aprendizaje (DUA) en el diseño de cursos en línea: Evaluación de una experiencia en educación superior. SIGNOS EAD, 1-25. https://p3.usal.edu.ar/index.php/ead/article/view/5307/7107
Baroni, F., & Lazzari, M. (2022). Universal Design for Learning at University: Technologies, blended learning and teaching methods. Studies in health technology and informatics, 297, 541–548. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI220885
Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (2013). Investigação qualitativa em educação. Porto Editora.
Bracken, S., & Novak, K. (2019). Transforming higher education through universal design for learning. An International Perspective. Routledge, London.
CAST. (2018). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.2. http://udlguidelines.cast.org
CAST. (2023). About CAST. https://www.cast.org/about/about-cast
Connell, B. R., Jones, M., Mace, R., Mueller, J., Mullick, A., Ostroff, E., Sanford, J., Steinfeld, E., Story, M., & Vanderheiden, G. (1997). The principles of universal design. Version 2.0. The Center for Universal Design, N.C. State University. https://web.stanford.edu/class/engr110/2007/PUD.pdf
Currie-Rubin, R. (2015). The data Inquiry- UDL Cycle. How data inquiry and UDL implementation work together to improve teaching and learning. CAST. https://www.cast.org/binaries/content/assets/cast/downloads/data-inquiry-and-universal-design-for-learning_edits211.pdf
Dalton, E. M., Lyner-Cleophas, M., Ferguson, B. T., & McKenzie, J. (2019). Inclusion, universal design and universal design for learning in higher education: South Africa and the United States. African Journal of Disability, 8, 519. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v8i0.519
Fovet, F. (2020). Universal design for learning as a tool for inclusion in the higher education classroom: Tips for the next decade of implementation. Education Journal, 9(6), 163−172.
Fovet, F. (2021). Developing an ecological approach to strategic UDL Implementation in higher education. Journal of Education and Teaching, 10(4). doi:10.5539/jel.v10n4p27
Galvin, T., & Geron, M. (2021). Building a community of practice across an institution: How to embed UDL through the Plus One Approach between an academic and academic developer. In handbook of research on applying universal design for learning across disciplines: Concepts, case studies, and practical implementation (pp. 323-344). IGI Global.
Garrad, TA., & Nolan, H. (2023). Rethinking higher education unit design: Embedding universal design for learning in online studies. Student Success, 14(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.2300
Gidden, E., & Jones, D. (2021). Examining the impact of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) on minimizing academic accommodations in post-secondary: A literature review. PRISM Home. https://prism.ucalgary.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/8b3a3348-ffe3-4392-839d-0dd0a170199f/content
Gottschalk, F., & Weise, C. (2023). Digital equity and inclusion in education: An overview of practice and policy in OECD countries. OECD Education Working Papers 299. OECD Publishing.
Hills, M., Overend, A., & Hildebrandt, S. (2022). Faculty perspectives on UDL: Exploring bridges and barriers for broader adoption in higher education. The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2022.1.13588
Houghton, J. (2022). New to universal design for learning? Start here. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 11–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/tl.20525
Jawad J., O’Donovan M., Leif E., Knight E., Ford E., & Buhne J. (2022). Universal design for learning in tertiary education: A scoping review and recommendations for implementation in Australia. https://www.adcet.edu.au/resource/10814/universal-design-for-learning-in-tertiary-education-a-scoping-review-and-recommendations
La, H., Dyjur, P., & Bair, H. (2018). Universal design for learning in higher education. Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. University of Calgary.
Leung, L. M., & Ata, M. (2023). Teaching economics in higher education with universal design for learning. International Review of Economics Education, 44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iree.2023.100273
Lima Rodrigues, L. M. (2021). “Basta das asas que eles voam!”: O desenho universal para a aprendizagem no ensino superior, durante a pandemia de COVID-19. In A. M. Boavida, A. M. Pessoa, A. Vasconcelos, C. C. Figueiredo, F. Santos, M. J. Freire, M. L. Saraiva, M. Figueiredo, O. César, P. Felício, & S. Figueira (Orgs.), Atas do Seminário: Dar asas ao saber: Investigação, construção de conhecimento e práticas profissionais (pp. 172-178). Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal.
Maguire, F., & Hall, R. (2018). A literature review of universal design for learning. De Montfort University. https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/server/api/core/bitstreams/74caef5a-b16c-4d90-ac35-129320d49585/content
Martin, N. (2021). Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Higher Education: A UK, USA Comparison. Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education, 13(1).
McMahon, D., & Smith, C. S. (2012). Universal design for learning: Implications and applications in UT Knoxville FUTURE Program. Think College Insight Brief, Issue No. 14. University of Massachusetts Boston, Institute for Community Inclusion.
McKenzie, J., Karisa, A., & Kahonde, C. (2023). Implementation of Universal Design for Learning in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: ‘I Thought These Principles Could Have Been Written by Me’. Disabilities, 3,666–679. https:// doi.org/10.3390/disabilities3040043
Meyer, A., Rose, D., & Gordon, D. (2014). Universal Design for Learning: Theory and practice. CAST Professional Publishing.
Nseibo, K., Samuels, C., McKenzie, J., & Small, J. (2023). Redesigning blended courses for learning framework: a case of disability studies in an education short course at the University of Cape Town. In Developing Inclusive Environments in Education: Global Practices and Curricula (pp. 34-52). DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-0664-2.ch003
Padden, L., O’Connor, J., & Barrett, T. (Eds). (2017). Universal design for curriculum design: Case studies from University College Dublin. Access and Lifelong Learning University College Dublin.
Quirke, M., & McCarthy, P. (2020). A conceptual framework of universal design for learning (UDL) for the Irish further education and training sector: Where inclusion is everybody’s business. SOLAS & AHEAD Ireland, 49, 55-57. https://www.solas.ie/f/70398/x/b1aa8a51b6/a-conceptual-framework-of-universal-design-for-learning-udl-for-the-ir.pdf
Reardon, K., Bromley, K. W., & Unruh, D. (2021). The promise of universal design in postsecondary education: A literature review. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 34(3), 209-221. https://teaching.uoregon.edu/sites/teaching2.uoregon.edu/files/2023-03/reardon-bromely-unruh-2021.pdf
Rose, D. H., Harbour, W. A., Johnston, C. S., Daley, S. G., & Abarbanell, L. (2006). Universal design for learning in postsecondary education: Reflections on principles and their applications. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 19(2), 135-151.
Takacs, S. & Zhang, J (2020). Universal design for learning: A practical guide. Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation. Justice Institute of British Columbia. https://ctli.jibc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/UDL_A_Practical_Guide.pdf
Takacs, S., Zhang, J., & Lee, H. (2020). Universal Design for Learning: Strategies for Blended and Online Learning. Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation. Justice Institute of British Columbia. https://sswd.jibc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Universal-Design-for-Learning_Strategies-for-Blended-and-Online-Learning.pdf
Timuș, N., Bartlett, M., Bartlett, J., Ehrlich, S., & Babutsidze, Z. (2023). Fostering inclusive higher education through universal design for learning and inclusive pedagogy – EU and US faculty perceptions. Higher Education Research & Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2023.2234314
Torres, J. P., & Marciano, R., H., R. (2022). Formação de professores: Desenhando uma disciplina inclusiva a partir do Desenho Universal para a Aprendizagem. Revista Docência do Ensino Superior, Belo Horizonte, 12, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.35699/2237- 5864.2022.39412.
Villoria, E. D., & Fuentes, S. S. (2015). Diseño universal para el aprendizaje como metodología docente para atender a la diversidad en la universidade. Aula Abierta, 43, 87–93.
Zhang, J., Takacs, S., Truong L., Smulders, D., & Lee, H. (2021). Assessment design: Perspectives and examples informed by universal design for learning. Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation. Justice Institute of British Columbia https://sswd.jibc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Assessment-Design-Pespective-and-Examples-Informed-by-UDL.pdf