Enhancing Student Engagement: Universal Design Learning Strategies

To enhance student engagement the Curricular Design and Professional Learning (CAST) organization created the Universal Design for Learning Program. Referred to as UDL, “the program guides the design of learning experiences to proactively meet the needs of all learners. The goal is for all learners to become “expert learners.” Expert learners are purposeful and motivated, resourceful, knowledgeable, strategic, and goal-directed about learning.

When implementing UDL, the teacher assumes that barriers to learning are in the design of the environment, not in the student. Based on brain science and evidence-based educational practices, UDL leverages the power of digital technology. The goal is to help create learning experiences that improve a student’s access to classroom resources, opportunities, and their outcomes.

UDL targets ways to improve how students learn and how teachers teach. It’s based on what we know about how people learn. Therefore, it aims to make sure that all students can learn well by removing barriers in teaching and considering each student’s unique needs and strengths.

Principles of UDL in Enhancing Student Engagement

Universal Design for Learning, ensures all students can succeed, no matter their needs. This means creating lessons, activities, and tests for everyone. UDL also includes students with disabilities and those learning English, too. It’s all about enhancing student engagement. (CAST, 2023)

Using the Principles of UDL, learning is made more exciting for students. Information can be shared in diverse ways, through pictures, sounds, or interactive games. In fact, enhancing student engagement in UDL activities ensures everyone feels included. Let’s look at the three UDL principles.

Increasing Methods of Presenting Information

Utilizing digital tools educators present information through diverse means, such as videos, interactive simulations, infographics, and audio recordings. These techniques help enhance student engagement with content presented in formats that align with their preferences.

Heightening Classroom Interaction

Digital tools also offer diverse options for students to highlight their understanding of learning concepts. These alternatives encompass written assignments, audio or video presentations like podcasts, screencasts, movies, e-books, mind maps, and digital drawing tools. The use of technology grants students’ greater flexibility in alternative learning settings.

Enhancing Student Involvement

Digital tools provide diverse interactive learning opportunities, enhancing student engagement, and catering to individual motivations. Educational professionals know that student success is influenced by factors like neurology and culture. Using multimedia tools that incorporate these factors promotes student participation. In addition, teamwork, and mutual learning among students through platforms like discussion boards and virtual classrooms also produce positive results.

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References

1. Universal Design for Learning (UDL): A teacher’s guide. Allison Posey, MEd
2. About Universal Design for Learning. CAST. Retrieved August 15, 2023, from https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl
3. http://ecocentricnow.com/stem-project-based-learning-educational-merchandise/