Postsecondary Education and UDL

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an important educational framework to consider for postsecondary education. Thoughtful planning through the lens of UDL can offer important options for learners as they navigate a range of college or career postsecondary opportunites.

We know that students are incredibly diverse in their learning needs, preparation, and approaches. UDL offers a practical instructional method to anticipate this learner variability and provide every student with equal opportunities to learn.

UDL is also an effective means for shaping learning experiences outside the classroom, such as online instruction, hands-on learning, or work-study experiences.

Resources

UDL at Boston College

Boston College has a long tradition in the field of UDL. Several courses taught by Dr. Richard Jackson have adopted the UDL framework. In 2009, Boston College Lynch School of Education received a four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to establish a postdoctoral program in UDL leadership in collaboration with CAST. Each summer, the Lynch School hosts a UDL leadership colloquium for advanced graduate students. Boston College also has a university-wide taskforce to promote UDL implementation across the campus.

UDL and Alternatives to the Print-based Curriculum

Take a look at a traditional college text-based article used at Harvard University by Dr. Thomas M. Skrtic entitled "The Special Education Paradox: Equity as the Way to Excellence" that has been re-created with UDL features through CAST Bookbuilder. Dig deeper into the CAST UDL Book Builder collections.

College UDL Implementation through a Faculty Learning Community

Ensuring Access through Collaboration and Technology (EnACT) has developed a successful model of implementing UDL across several colleges throughout California. In its early development, these thoughtful planners organized a model of support through a UDL faculty learning community. Read more about how their model has expanded to a UDL Universe.

UDL as a University-Wide Initiative

Take a closer look at how UDL is being embraced by the entire community at the University of Vermont. Listen to conversations from the President, faculty and students who share their perspectives on how UDL is making a difference in how they consider, provide, and access education. Read more about UDL at UVM.

UDL in an Online Instructional Module 

In this example, Dr. Don Glass uses the software tool CAST UDL Book Builder to design an online course module to teach a series entitled Curriculum Design for Inclusive Arts Teaching and Learning. This course has been included in the growing collection at Open Educational Resources (OER) Commons.

Examples of UDL on College Campuses

Take a closer look at how several institutions of higher education are considering the UDL framework for their campuses:

• UDL Coursework at Harvard University
• Universal Design for Learning at San Francisco State University
• Universal Design for Learning at San Jose State University
• Universal Design for Learning at Colorado State University
• The George Washington University