A Best Practice Approach to Flexible and Inclusive

Teaching

Applying the Universal Design for Learning Framework

Workshop Objectives

understanding of UDL and inclusive and flexible teaching

understanding of benefits of UDLknowledge to design and deliver

a course using UDL principlesawareness of key resources

Defining Concepts

Flexible: the provision of a variety of learning environments for students, that provide a range of different access opportunities and a range of different teaching modes through which students may exercise their choice.

Defining Concepts

Inclusivity: facilitating the best educational outcomes for all students, regardless of characteristics such as gender, race, ability, age, sexuality, socio-economic status and cultural background.

Defining Concepts

Universal Design: The design of products, environments, communications and services to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialised design.

Diversity 1

If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.

John F. KennedyBuilding a more inclusive university, which promotes diversity, has significant benefits for not only for students from diverse backgrounds, but also for all students, staff and the community at large.

Deryck M. Schreuder

Diversity 2

• Diversity is a primary trait of healthy communities

• Diversity creates quality

• Diversity generates creative change

• Celebration and promotion of diversity produces benefits for the whole community

Learning Styles

Learning Style SurveyFind your learning style

•Learning styles differ•Teaching styles differ•Design the t & l environment to maximise educational opportunities

The Four Learning Styles

The Visual/ Verbal Learning Style

The Visual/ Nonverbal Learning Style

The Tactile/ Kinesthetic Learning Style

The Auditory/ Verbal Learning Style

A typical lecture

Participants experience a typical lecture Consider how this limits the learning experience for those with different learning styles

Consider the effect a limitation of vision, hearing or dexterity impacts on the learning style

Current Situation

Support model assumes barriers are within the student is reactive and after the fact ineffective in duplicating information requires individuals to disclose their

disabilities/difficulties must be continually re-established each

unit

Universal Design (UD)

Definition Universal Design: The design of products,

environments, communications and services to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialised design

Anticipates and accommodates diversity

Universal Design and Education

Definition as it relates to education

‘the design and delivery of instructional

materials and activities that makes

learning goals achievable by individuals

with a wide range of differences in their

abilities and characteristics’

UD and Education cont...

Provides a framework for the design and

delivery of good quality education in a

flexible and inclusive format

Removes barriers within the environment

Anticipates diversity in the student

population as ‘normal’ (removes stigma)

UD and Education cont...

Provides material in a flexible and

inclusive means

Eliminates the need to disclose

personal information to a large extent

7 Principles of UD

1. Equitable access to educational experience

2. Flexible material and instruction

3. Predictable structure and format of material

4. Perceptible information

5. Curricula tolerates error

6. Eliminate unnecessary physical effort

7. Physical accessibility

Summary of Universally Designed Curriculum

Information presented in multiple ways

Allow students to interact and respond to curricula and material in multiple ways

Make multiple ways for students to find

meaning and thus motivate themselves

Make all materials such as Web Pages

accessible to all

Benefits

Time effective

Cost effective

Equitable learning opportunities to

all students

Interactive lectures

Best Practice approach

What is UD in Education?

Represents a shift in current thinking

from support model to one that considers

students with disability as part of the

normal diversity of students

provides a framework for providing

equitable learning opportunities to all

students

The How To of UD

Accessible LecturesDesigning Accessible Web Sites (4 hours) Accessible Conferences (2 hours)Buying Accessible E & IT (Requiring Officials

and Contracting Officers) (1.25 hours) Section 508 Coordinators (1.5 hours) Additional Accessibility & Usability Concerns:

Electronic Forms & E-mail (1.25 hours) Accessible Video and Multimedia (2.5 hours)

Accessible Lectures

Go through the lessons for conference material and presentation methods

Lecture on Spinach Pasta

Design in an accessible lecture format

Design features for accessible notesDesign accessible overheadsDesign it as a laboratory/practical

teaching session

Accessible Web Design

http://www.webaim.org http://www.webct.com/hottopics/viewpage?

name=hottopics_access

Bad Web Design Example from RNIB http://www.hgu.mrc.ac.uk/Bad/splash.htm

Low vision simulator

http://www.webaim.org/simulations/lowvision

Resources

New Website in development - Universal Design in Learning (contact Jaye Johnson)

IMS Guidelines for Developing Accessible Learning Applications

Designing Web Usability - The Practice of Simplicity

WebAim resources on teaching