Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for teaching and learning that is proactive. It recommends designing backward for student variability, arguing that variability, i.e. differences in how we think, interact, learn, and respond, vary across learners. 

To understand what UDL is, it can help to understand what its' not. The word universal may be misleading, it does not mean one method to teaching universally to everyone. It means that finding multiple ways to support learning is universal as opposed to one-size-fits-all all approaches to learning. 

The goal of UDL is to use a variety of teaching methods, assessments, and activities to remove any barriers to learning. It’s about proactively building in flexibility that can be adjusted for every student's strengths, interests, background, and learning needs. That is the key to why UDL benefits all learners.

This approach to teaching isn't meant to only support the learning for people who learn and think differently. However it can be especially beneficial for students with barriers to their learning — including those who have not been formally diagnosed with a disability or those who have a language barrier.

A leader in the field of Universal Design for Learning is Cast.org. Visit Cast.org for current resources, guides, and research regarding UDL in higher education.