What is UDL?
The UDL means Universal Design for Learning. It is an educational approach that provides quality teaching and learning to all students, regardless of their disabilities or social and economic background. In addition, it should be noted that there is a strong link between UDL and pedagogy, as teachers explain and illustrate the subject matter in both technological and pedagogical ways that facilitate perception and understanding for all learners.
UDL is very helpful for the following reasons:
- It dramatically helps students with disabilities or special educational needs to be part of the class.
- It incites studentsʹ motivation and self-esteem and
- It promotes studentsʹ active participation and contribution.
The Relevance of UDL in Educational Environments
UDL is also considered leverage of learning accessibility for all students, irrespective of their learning differences and educational needs. That is to say, when every student, regardless of financial, ethnic and linguistic background, amongst others, is given appropriate tools to access learning and make rapid progress, we are talking about the advantages of UDL.
In the meantime, UDL is very significant and valuable because it is not restricted only to students with disabilities but also to those without them. The development and implementation of UDL usually imply the use of information and communication technology (ICT), as it facilitates educators to adopt an appropriate model of instruction which can benefit and help all students at the same time and level.
In other words, UDL enables the designing and structuring of the educational framework to accommodate a wider variety of student needs. It also plays a fundamental role in eliminating potential learning barriers or unnecessary learning obstacles.
The Three Important Principles of UDL
- Multiple means of representation focused on what teachers want their students to learn, know and do, are also highlighted as content.
- For apparent reasons, multiple means of engagement are how students are motivated and engaged in learning, which is also distinguished as a process.
- Multiple means of expression – it has to do with how students relate what they learnt to their daily activities, also named a product.
UDL is an approach that provides instruction in such a way that all learners can have access to and participate in the general education curriculum. It creates opportunities for inclusion by using diverse activities that convey multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement. More importantly, engagement, as one of the main principles of UDL, can be considered the most crucial element in the effective teaching and learning process, as it keeps students excited to learn and motivated to express their feelings, ideas, and thoughts, and therefore, avoiding situations where students are disengaged and uninterested in learning. Therefore, UDL has a significant role in educational environments because it promotes engagement and inclusion for all students, regardless of their needs and abilities.