Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that provides all students with equal opportunities to learn by offering flexible ways to engage with material, represent knowledge, and demonstrate understanding. Whether or not you have a disability, UDL principles can help you learn more effectively by matching your preferred learning approach.
Three UDL Principles
Multiple Means of Engagement: Different ways to motivate and engage with learning (why we learn).
Multiple Means of Representation: Different ways to present and access information (what we learn).
Multiple Means of Action and Expression: Different ways to demonstrate knowledge (how we show learning).
As a Student: Using UDL Principles
- Multi-format studying: Combine reading, listening, watching, and discussing the same material
- Choice in assignments: When given options for how to complete work, choose formats that play to your strengths
- Self-regulation: Monitor your own understanding and seek help proactively when confused
- Diverse resources: Supplement lectures with videos, podcasts, study groups, and online tutorials
Advocating for UDL in Your Courses
- Request materials early: Ask for slides and readings before class so you can preview
- Suggest alternatives: If a rigid assignment format does not work, propose an alternative that meets the same learning objectives
- Course feedback: Provide constructive feedback on course evaluations about accessibility
- Student government: Advocate for UDL adoption at the institutional level
UDL Benefits Everyone
Captions help deaf students but also students in noisy environments, non-native speakers, and auditory processors. Clear organization helps ADHD students but benefits everyone managing heavy course loads. Flexible deadlines help students with health conditions but also reduce stress and improve work quality for all students.
Creating Your Own UDL Study System
- Input variety: Use at least three different formats (read, listen, watch) for important material
- Output variety: Practice through multiple methods (writing, speaking, teaching, drawing)
- Pacing flexibility: Speed up or slow down based on difficulty and your energy level
- Environment variety: Study in different locations to strengthen memory through context variety
Pro Strategy: The most powerful learning happens when you translate information across modalities. Read about a concept, then explain it aloud, then draw a diagram, then teach it to someone else. Each translation forces deeper processing and creates multiple memory pathways, making retrieval during exams much easier.