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What Is Universal Design for Learning? | Understood.org Article.

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Description:  The article provides an explanation of Universal Design for Learning and its 3 main principles:  Engagement, Representation, and Action and Expression.
Relevancy:  It helped reinforce my understanding of Universal Design for Learning and its 3 main principles.

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At a glance

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) gives all students an equal opportunity to succeed.

This approach to teaching and learning offers flexibility in the ways students access material and show what they know.

UDL also looks for different ways to keep students motivated.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to teaching and learning that gives all students equal opportunity to succeed.

To understand what UDL is, it helps to understand what it's not. The word universal may throw you off. It may sound like UDL is about finding one way to teach all students. But UDL actually takes the opposite approach.

The goal of UDL is to use a variety of teaching methods to remove any barriers to learning. It's about building in flexibility that can be adjusted for every person's strengths and needs. That's why UDL benefits all learners.

This approach to teaching or to workplace training doesn't specifically target people who learn and think differently. But it can be especially helpful for kids with these challenges - including those who have not been formally diagnosed. It can also be very helpful for English language learners.

Watch this video to see what UDL looks like in a fifth-grade classroom.

Dive deeper

Bringing universal design to the classroom

How UDL helps students who learn and think differently

About the author

About the author

Amanda Morin is the author of "The Everything Parent's Guide to Special Education" and the former director of thought leadership at Understood. As an expert and writer, she helped build Understood from its earliest days.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Ace Parsi, MPP served as the personalized learning partnership manager at NCLD.

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What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a teaching approach to help all learners be successful. Read about UDL principals and the benefits of UDL for students.

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Universal Design for Learning: UDL YouTube Video.

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Description:  This YouTube video provides a general overview of UDL and examples of how to implement it into the classroom.
Relevancy:  It provides a practical understanding of how to apply UDL principles.  In addition, the video reinforced the need for planning and flexibility when incorporating UDL into a classroom.
Video Transcripts in Posts Below.

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 3): Engagement Strategies YouTube Video.

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Universal Design for Learning:  Engagement

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Universal Design for Learning:  Engagement

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Description:  This video provides a look at how to implement Engagement strategies.  It does a really good job of providing many diverse options that allows for the learner to be involved with course content, other students, and the instructor during the learning process.
Relevancy:  The video allowed me to see how those three components work together in the Engagement process.
Video Transcripts in Posts Below.

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Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at OU

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 3): Engagement Strategies

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 4): Representation Strategies YouTube Video.

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Universal Design for Learning:  Representation

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Universal Design for Learning:  Representation

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Description:  This video demonstrates Representation strategies which allow key course content to be presented in different ways to learners.
Relevancy:  Each of the mentioned strategies allows the learner to control how and when they will process course content based on what is best for them.  It reinforced the importance of having the learner take a proactive approach in the learning process.
Video Transcripts in Posts Below.

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Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at OU

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 4): Representation Strategies

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 5): Action and Expression Strategies YouTube Video.

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Universal Design for Learning:  Action & Expression Strategies

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Universal Design for Learning:  Action & Expression Strategies

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Description:  The video provides ideas on how to integrate Action & Expression strategies in the learning process.  These strategies offer learners multiple ways to demonstrate how they understand course content.
Relevancy:  The video did a nice job of showing how beneficial this strategy can be for broad and specific learning groups.  Specific targeting in particular allowed me to see how one strategy could benefit multiple targeted learning groups.
Video Transcripts in Posts Below.

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Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at OU

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 5): Action and Expression Strategies

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What Is Universal Design for Learning? A Guide for Teachers - UMass Global.EDU Article.

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Description:  This article highlights advantages of implementing UDL in the classroom for both students and educators.  It also provides a helpful comparison between traditional lesson plans and UDL lesson plans.
Relevancy:  This comparison allowed me to clearly see the contrast between the learning approach of each method.

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When people think of a teacher at work, they envision someone speaking in front of a room full of students. What they don't see are the hundreds of hours of lesson planning that happened before the first day of school.

Crafting a year-long curriculum that adheres to testing standards while also being relevant, age-appropriate and engaging for every learner can feel overwhelming. Incorporating universal design for learning (UDL) into the classroom has a lot of benefits for teachers and students alike.

But what is universal design for learning, and how can teachers apply UDL principles in their classrooms? We're covering the basics of UDL principles, the science behind them and examples of how UDL differs from traditional lesson planning.

What is universal design for learning?

UDL is a framework designed specifically for educators. It is based on the principles of universal design (UD) that are used in architecture, space planning and product development. Students in every classroom face a variety of barriers that they must overcome to fully engage in a lesson. UD and UDL address factors such as physical, emotional, behavioral, neurological and cultural issues that impact education by promoting equity and inclusion.

In an education setting, UDL requires teachers to optimize their lessons for a variety of learning styles or "modalities" based on scientific brain research about how students learn. The goal is to create an inclusive, flexible lesson from the start, thus proactively eliminating issues.

In a traditional classroom - what most American adults will recognize from childhood - teachers make all the decisions. Any accommodations or changes to the lesson plan are made ad hoc and added in at the end. In UDL, the accommodations are organic and built in from the beginning.

Universal design for learning is unique because it requires teachers to think about the brain in a new way. A UDL-based curriculum would include lessons designed for all eight intelligences, based on Howard Gardner's research on multiple intelligences:

Dr. Paulette Koss, adjunct instructor for University of Massachusetts Global's School of Education, calls UDL "a revolutionary way of lesson planning." She believes UDL is more effective and equitable because the needs of all students are accounted for in the planning stage - not tacked onto an existing lesson.

"In the past, traditional lessons were predominantly favoring the linguistic and the logical-mathematical areas of the brain," Dr. Koss explains. "This only represents two sections of the brain. The other six modalities are traditionally not addressed in lessons."

This is where UDL methods come into play, incorporating all intelligences instead of just a few.

How universal design for learning hacks the brain

The UDL principles are powerful tools for educators looking to create equitable, meaningful and challenging learning environments. The framework is based on scientific insights from a variety of fields, including neuroscience, learning sciences and cognitive psychology.

UDL's core principle are based on the most widely replicated finding in educational : that students are highly variable in their response to instruction. Or in plain speak, everybody learns differently.

To address this, UDL guidelines recommend that educators intentionally build out multiple options for students in each of the following brain networks:

Affective networks : This is the "WHY" of learning. Scholars differ in the ways in which they are engaged or motivated to learn. Providing multiple options for engagement can help stimulate interest and motivation for learning.

Recognition networks : This is the "WHAT" of learning. Students differ in the ways that they perceive and comprehend information that is presented to them. Presenting information and content in different formats can help students make connections within and between concepts.

Strategic networks : This is the "HOW" of learning. Learners differ in the ways they can navigate their learning environments and express what they know. Providing multiple means of action and expression enables all learners to demonstrate their understanding in the most optimal way for them.

Benefits of using universal design for learning in your classroom

UDL principles lead to growth and new skills for teachers and students alike. Teachers are human, which means they tend to instruct using the methods that come most naturally to them. Likewise, students learn best in the styles they are most comfortable with. UDL lesson plans encourage growth and development through new ways of teaching and learning.

Additionally, UDL benefits the classroom by:

Allowing students to use their strengths while also working on deficiencies

Helping teachers recognize the variability and diversity of individual brains

Emphasizing the need to proactively plan for a variety of learning styles, thus reducing barriers to education

Fixing the curriculum and not the student

Treating each learner as uniquely capable

Shaping young students into Expert Learners

Including accommodations for students with disabilities and second language to help them fully access the curriculum

"When we talk about Expert Learners, the ultimate goal of UDL is to have students utilizing all aspects of their neural pathways, being engaged on all neural levels and being in charge and empowered for their own learning," explains Dr. Koss.

Traditional lesson planning vs. universal design for learning

UDL is the inverse of the traditional lesson plan. It might take longer to plan UDL courses, but it is a proactive investment in your classroom. Building inclusivity and flexibility into your curriculum gives you more time to focus on engaging with students instead of removing barriers you hadn't considered.

If you've never created a UDL lesson plan, it can be difficult to imagine what it looks like. To help illustrate how this compares to traditional lesson planning, consider the following UDL examples:

Students are assigned to write a report on a given topic.

Students are assigned to choose from one of several formats on a given topic (i.e., report, video, slideshow, poster, song, etc.).

Teacher designs the lesson for an "average" student and focuses on what subject is taught.

Teacher designs the lesson for multiple types of learners and focuses on what subject is taught while allowing student input on how it is taught.

The classroom has desks lined up facing the front, and everyone is taught at once.

The classroom setup is flexible, allowing the teacher to move among multiple spaces dedicated to individual, small or large group work.

Students receive scores and feedback on tests, quizzes and assignments, checking grades or discussing goals periodically.

Students collaborate with the teacher to identify what their learning goals are and are encouraged to reflect on what they're learning. Grades are only one part of the conversation, and feedback is ongoing.

It is important to note that you don't need to do everything perfectly on every lesson to incorporate UDL into your classroom. Shifting your mindset is an ongoing endeavor that will happen over time.

Encourage growth among all learners

As a teacher, you work hard to create an inclusive learning environment where all students can come as they are and thrive. Being open to fresh ideas and willing to learn new skills is essential to being an effective educator.

Universal design for learning is an effective way to improve equity and access for all students. Learn more about how you can further increase your influence within your classroom and beyond in our article, " Teacher leadership: Ways to make an impact in education ."

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teachers guide to universal design for learning

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universal design for learning lesson plans

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What Is Universal Design for Learning? A Guide for Teachers - UMass Global

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A teacher's guide to universal design for learning. Learn how to enhance your lesson plans using UDL principles.

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UDL A How to Read the UDL Guidelines YouTube Video.

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Description:  This video provides an overview of UDL Guidelines for the 3 main principles of Engagement, Representation, and Action & Expression.
Relevancy:  The video provides great examples of how the principles, guidelines, and checkpoints can be used in implementing UDL.  The video creator demonstrated how the 3 principles are laid out in the typical progression of a lesson:  Engaging students, introducing content (Representation), and students demonstrating understanding (Action & Expression).
Video Transcripts in Posts Below.

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UDL On Campus: UDL Examples Udloncampus.org Article.

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Description:  This webpage provides examples of how faculty from the College STAR project implemented UDL in their Education, Music, Construction Management, and Criminal Justice courses. Each example provided the challenges being faced, UDL strategy used, and the strategy outcome.
Relevancy:  UDL offers strategies that can benefit educators at any grade level from kindergarten to a Masters level course.

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 3) Engagement Strategies YouTube Video Transcript.

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Universal Design for Learning:  Engagement Strategies Video Transcript

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Universal Design for Learning:  Engagement Strategies Video Transcript

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 3) Engagement Strategies Video Transcript

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Seeing UDL in Action in the Classroom YouTube Video.

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Description:  This video provides a real life example of a teacher who had learning challenges as a student and how he implements UDL in his classroom.
Relevancy:  The experiences he had as a child helps with understanding the challenges and frustrations students face when in a learning environment that is not suited to their needs.  His perspective on how he implements UDL, and why, helps with understanding the greater benefits of the strategy.
Video Transcripts in Posts Below.

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5 Examples of Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom Readingrockets.org Article.

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5 Examples of Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom

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5 Examples of Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom

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Description:  This article provides 5 examples of how to use UDL in a classroom:  Posted Lesson Goals, Assignment Options, Flexible Work Spaces, Regular Feedback, and Digital & Audio Text.
Relevancy:  Each example reinforced the importance of flexibility in the learning environment and in providing students with multiple learning options.

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Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)

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5 Examples of Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to teaching aimed at meeting the needs of every student in a classroom. It can be helpful for all kids, including kids with learning and attention issues. But UDL takes careful planning by teachers. Here are just a few examples of how UDL can work in a classroom.

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Universal Design for Learning UDL YouTube Video Transcript.

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Universal Design for Learning: UDL Video Transcript

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Universal Design for Learning: UDL Video Transcript

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Universal Design for Learning UDL Video Transcript

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 5) Action and Expression Strategies YouTube Video Transcript.

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Universal Design for Learning:  Action & Expression Strategies Video Transcript

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Universal Design for Learning:  Action & Expression Strategies Video Transcript

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 5) Action and Expression Strategies Video Transcript

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How to Read the UDL Guidelines YouTube Video Transcript.

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How to Read the UDL Guidelines Video Transcript

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How to Read the UDL Guidelines Video Transcript

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How to Read the UDL Guidelines Video Transcript

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Seeing UDL in Action in the Classroom YouTube Video Transcript.

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Seeing UDL in Action in the Classroom Video Transcript

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Seeing UDL in Action in the Classroom Video Transcript

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Seeing UDL in Action in the Classroom Video Transcript

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 4) Representation Strategies YouTube Video Transcript.

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Universal Design for Learning: Representation Strategies Video Transcript

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Universal Design for Learning: Representation Strategies Video Transcript

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Universal Design for Learning (Part 4) Representation Strategies Video Transcript