Universal Design for Learning Principles and Guidelines
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational approach based on the learning sciences that provides a framework of principles for curriculum development, aiming to give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. It serves as a blueprint for creating instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone, focusing on flexible approaches that can be customized and adjusted for individual needs, rather than a single, one-size-fits-all solution. The UDL framework is built upon three primary principles derived from the three-network model of learning: multiple means of representation of information, multiple means of student action and expression, and multiple means of student engagement.
These principles guide the design of learning environments with a deep understanding and appreciation for individual variability. The UDL framework translates research and innovation into practice, offering guiding principles from which specific tools, methods, and practices can be derived depending on the context, such as learners’ developmental levels, communities, and teacher proclivities.
For more information on implementing UDL, please review CAST’s UDL on Campus website which is specific to UDL implementation in higher education.
Understanding UDL: Three Key Concepts
1. Variability is the rule not the exception
Students are incredibly diverse, possessing a wide range of strengths and weaknesses. UDL provides useful guidelines that account for this wide variability of learners in higher education environments. It moves beyond thinking of individuals with disabilities as being “at the margins” and instead recognizes them as part of the predictable spectrum of variation across all learners. By designing learning environments with a deep understanding and appreciation for this inherent individual variability, UDL aims to make the learning journey tractable for as many learners as possible.
2. Barriers are in the environment, not learners
A core tenet of UDL is that barriers to learning are inherent in the curriculum and learning environment, not in the learners themselves. UDL proactively introduces flexibility and options into the environment by design, enabling students to access and manage their learning. While we are obligated to provide accessible materials for students with disabilities, UDL extends beyond simple accessibility. Accessibility is fundamental and part of UDL yet it is insufficient on its own. Ultimately, the purpose of education, from a UDL perspective, is to teach learners how to transform accessible information into usable knowledge.
3. Inclusion by design rather than retrofit
UDL advocates for proactive design of learning experiences for all learners from the outset, rather than making retrofits after a curriculum has been created. It offers a systematic framework for better supporting all students in the classroom so they can persist in a course, earn a degree, and achieve their goals. It is not a prescriptive checklist or formula, but rather a set of guiding principles to reshape teaching and learning by designing systems with flexibility at their core.
Strategies/Examples for UDL Implementation in Course Design
- Instructor provided notes or outlines in Canvas.
- Lecture videos or class recordings that are available for students to review anytime.
- Providing quiz and exam study guides.
- Creating opportunities for practice and low stakes assessments and considering the feasibility of take home or self-paced assessments.
- Providing options for how students demonstrate their knowledge. Some examples may include video or audio recordings themselves in addition to accepting written responses.
- Incorporating a student feedback mechanism that can be used to inform course design.
The UDL Connection
Accessible materials open the door to meaningful learning opportunities for all students. When educational tools and content are designed with accessibility in mind from the start, they promote greater independence, active involvement, and steady progress for every learner.
1. Provide Multiple Means of Engagement
When students don’t face barriers to accessing materials, they’re more likely to stay engaged, motivated, and curious.
2. Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression
Give students a range of tools and modes to express what they’ve learned. Offering choice and flexibility encourages creativity and empowers them to communicate in ways that highlight their strengths.
3. Provide Multiple Means of Representation
Present learning content in multiple formats—text, visuals, audio, etc.—so that all students can grasp concepts in a way that works best for them.
