Exploring UDL Principles
Exploring UDL Principles
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is organized around three core principles that support flexible and inclusive learning environments. These principles recognize that learners engage with learning, access information, and demonstrate understanding in different ways.
The UDL principles encourage instructors to design learning experiences that provide multiple ways for learners to engage with content, access materials, participate in learning activities, and demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.
The sections below provide an overview of the three UDL principles and the guidelines associated with each principle, along with examples of how they can be applied within teaching and learning environments.
Multiple Means of Engagement
The “Why” of Learning
Engagement focuses on how learners become motivated, interested, and involved in learning. Learners differ in what captures their attention, sustains their effort, and supports their participation.
Providing multiple means of engagement can help support learner motivation, belonging, autonomy, and persistence.
Guidelines
Welcoming Interests and Identities
Support learner choice, relevance, authenticity, and inclusion.
- Optimize choice and autonomy
- Support relevance and authenticity
- Foster welcoming and inclusive learning environments
- Address distractions, threats, and barriers to participation
Sustaining Effort and Persistence
Support learners as they work toward goals and navigate challenges.
- Clarify goals and expectations
- Foster collaboration and community
- Optimize challenge and support
- Provide timely and actionable feedback
Emotional Capacity
Support reflection, self-awareness, empathy, and emotional well-being within learning environments.
- Encourage reflection and self-assessment
- Support awareness of self and others
- Foster restorative and empathetic practices
- Recognize learner beliefs, motivations, and expectations
Multiple Means of Representation
The “What” of Learning
Representation focuses on how information and content are presented to learners. Learners differ in how they perceive, process, and understand information.
Providing multiple means of representation can help improve access to information and support deeper understanding.
Guidelines
Perception
Support learners in accessing and perceiving information in different ways.
- Customize the display of information
- Provide multiple ways to perceive information
- Represent diverse identities and perspectives
- Support accessibility across formats and devices
Language and Symbols
Clarify language, symbols, terminology, and meaning.
- Clarify vocabulary and terminology
- Support understanding of symbols and notation
- Support multilingual learners
- Use multiple media to support understanding
Building Knowledge
Help learners connect, organize, and apply knowledge.
- Connect prior knowledge to new learning
- Highlight patterns and big ideas
- Support meaning-making
- Encourage transfer and application of knowledge
Multiple Means of Action and Expression
The “How” of Learning
Action and Expression focuses on how learners interact with learning environments and demonstrate understanding. Learners differ in how they communicate, organize information, and express knowledge.
Providing multiple means of action and expression can help learners demonstrate learning in flexible and meaningful ways.
Guidelines
Interaction
Support different ways for learners to interact with materials, tools, and learning environments.
- Provide flexible navigation and response options
- Support assistive technologies and accessible tools
- Reduce unnecessary physical or technological barriers
Expression and Communication
Provide multiple ways for learners to communicate and express understanding.
- Use multiple media for communication
- Support creativity and composition
- Provide scaffolding and practice opportunities
- Reduce bias related to modes of expression
Strategy Development
Support learners in planning, organizing, monitoring, and reflecting on their learning.
- Support goal-setting and planning
- Encourage organization and resource management
- Support self-monitoring and progress tracking
- Help learners anticipate and navigate challenges
References
CAST (2024). CAST Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 3.0. Retrieved from https://udlguidelines.cast.org
Continue Exploring the UDL Resource Centre!
Now that you have explored the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), continue to the next section to learn how you can apply UDL in Canvas.
APPLY UDL IN CANVAS