Lillian Nave, coordinator at Appalachian State University, discusses her implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in a first-year seminar course. Topics covered include the importance of accessibility, global collaboration, stepping out of comfort zones to create a diverse learning environment, the ThinkUDL podcast, and the opening of a new campus at Appalachian State University.
UDL focuses on designing equitable learning experiences by engaging students and providing accessible materials.
Implementing UDL involves considering diverse backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and preparedness levels in higher education, and offering multiple forms of representation and expression.
Deep dives
Universal Design for Learning Framework
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that focuses on designing equitable learning experiences by engaging students, providing accessible materials, and allowing multiple means of demonstrating knowledge. This approach is based on neuroscience and research that recognizes the variability among students. UDL emphasizes the importance of considering diverse backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and preparedness levels in higher education. The framework consists of three main categories: engagement, representation, and expression. Engagement involves making learning activities interesting and meaningful for students. Representation involves providing multiple forms of information and materials that are accessible to all learners. Expression emphasizes offering various ways for students to demonstrate their understanding. Implementing UDL can benefit both students and instructors by promoting inclusivity, learner-centeredness, and effective teaching strategies.
Difference Between UDL and Accessibility
Accessibility is a crucial component of universal design for learning, but UDL encompasses more than just accessibility. While accessibility focuses on ensuring that all students can access course materials, UDL goes beyond this by also emphasizing engagement and multiple means of expression. UDL encourages instructors to provide various forms of representation, such as different types of texts and audio files, making sure materials are readable and accommodate diverse learners. In addition, UDL promotes offering multiple options for students to express their knowledge, like concept maps, visual representations, poems, or storytelling. The goal is to address student variability comprehensively and create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
Implementing UDL in a First-Year Seminar Course
In this podcast episode, Lillian Naive, a coordinator of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success at the Appalachian State University Hickory campus, discusses her experience implementing a UDL approach in a first-year seminar course. The course, called Intercultural Dialogues, aims to develop students' intercultural competence and understanding of different cultures. Lillian explains that she has integrated UDL principles gradually over the years, offering multiple ways for students to access information, such as providing accessible or recorded readings, interactive videos, and voice threads. She also emphasizes the importance of multiple means of expression, encouraging students to demonstrate their understanding through concept maps, visual representations, poems, and storytelling. Additionally, she focuses on engaging students through authentic assignments, such as collaborating and conversing with students from other countries, allowing them to gain intercultural perspectives and skills. Lillian highlights the benefits of UDL in creating an inclusive and engaging learning experience for students in her first-year seminar course.
Persuading Students to Try New Learning Approaches
Encouraging students to be open to new learning approaches can be challenging, especially when some students prefer traditional lecture-based methods. Lillian emphasizes the importance of explaining the purpose and benefits of different learning approaches to students. By highlighting that discomfort and taking risks are part of the learning process, students can understand that trying new approaches can lead to deeper learning and greater self-efficacy. Lillian recommends communicating with students about the intentions behind diverse assignments and assessments, ensuring they understand why and how each activity contributes to their learning. By creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment, instructors can encourage students to step out of their comfort zones and engage in meaningful and varied learning experiences.
Universal design for learning, or UDL, is a framework to help us design more equitable learning experiences. In this episode, Lillian Nave joins us to discuss how she has implemented a UDL approach in her first-year seminar course. Lillian is the Coordinator of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success at the Appalachian State University Hickory Campus and a senior lecturer in a first-year seminar course at Appalachian State University. She is also the host of the ThinkUDL podcast. She is the recipient of several teaching awards and often serves as an invited speaker on UDL issues.
