Universal Design for Learning

O Desenho Universal para a Aprendizagem (UDL) é uma abordagem holística da educação concebida para dar a todos os alunos o apoio necessário para serem bem sucedidos no seu percurso académico. Inclui três pilares com uma série de diretrizes para o ajudar a transformar a forma como interage com os seus alunos. Foi criado por um grupo de investigação em educação sem fins lucrativos chamado CAST e já foi validado e adotado por milhares de professores em todo o mundo. Fornece os passos necessários para transformar as suas salas de aula em ambientes inclusivos e equitativos.  

The UDL methodology is divided into 3 main pillars:  Engagement, Representation and Action&Expression

Three pillars of UDL

These pillars are directly linked to our brain neural networks as presented in the image below:

The 3 main pillars of the UDL

We present here a snapshot of this powerful methodology for inclusion.  A series of videos and recommendations are included here to help you get started in your UDL journey

Introduction to UDL resources

This suite of resources offers an introduction to the concept of Universal Design for Learning and one of the key tools educators across the globe use to translate this concept into practice.

Video 1 explores the concept, video 2 focuses on the UDL framework developed by CAST and video 3 looks at two strategies to apply UDL in practice. 

• Universal Design for Learning – An Introduction: Video 1 https://youtu.be/HRmUu9kBTQk
• Universal Design for Learning – The Framework: Video 2 https://youtu.be/NvYYfYRZODY
• Universal Design for Learning – Applying in Practice:  https://youtu.be/4ul-API2f1g

Further reading and examples  can be found in the following references: 

Resources

Links 

AHEAD (2024) AHEAD website UDL resources.
CAST (2018). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.2. 
Toland, M. (2020) UDL Implementation Rubric. Retrieved from
Universal Design for Learning: A Best Practice Guideline: Universal Design – License to
Learn. Funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union

Podcasts and Videos

Think UDL is a podcast about Universal Design for Learning where we hear from the people who are designing and implementing strategies in post-secondary settings with learner variability in mind.

The UDL Approach https://theudlapproach.com/podcasts/

(a) UDL in 15 Minutes – The Podcast is our original podcast where educators and UDL leaders share their experiences and thoughts on implementing and using UDL. 
(b) UDL Research in 15 Minutes – The Podcast is our newer Podcast where researchers share their findings about the implementation, the impact, and their investigations of the Universal Design for Learning framework.

O UDL @ UL YouTube channel includes videos from staff and University of Limerick, Ireland students discussing their UDL practice.
O DisabilityAwareness elearning channel includes videos from experts in the area of
inclusive education including discussion on UDL in practice.

UDL networks

INCLUDE: International Collaboratory for Leadership in Universally Designed Education: a global network of researchers, students, and practitioners committed to strengthening outcomes for all learners. INCLUDE aims to link colleagues for partnership and support in the research and design, implementation, innovation, and exploration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

O UDLHE Network is a special interest group of the UDL-IRN and a place to collaborate with others in higher education who are working towards the intentional development of UDL initiatives to increase the quality of learning for the predictable variability of students and faculty today.