Session Overview

Inspired by BCCampus’ UDL Explorer Challenge, faculty at Saskatchewan Polytechnic piloted a 4-month project to engage participants with Universal Design for Learning. A new challenge was launched each month between January and April that urged faculty and staff to incorporate an easily achievable UDL   strategy into their classes or daily work. Our monthly themes included: Be Flexible, Provide Access, Help People Prepare, and finally in April, Reflect and Plan.
Our goal was to educate faculty and staff about UDL, and to also model UDL practices such as:

•    Offering flexibility by providing many different options to complete the challenge.
•    Using accessible language – no jargon!
•    Offering various methods to seek assistance including text, audio, or video recordings, along with a coffee break chat with Learning Technology Trainers.

In this session you will learn about our pilot project, both successes and lessons learned. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a bespoke UDL mini challenge.

Accessible & Barrier-Free Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a 3-principle framework, informed by neuroscience, that promotes barrier-free learning – an inclusive learning opportunity that both values diversity and engages all learners. UDL reduces the need for individual accommodations by offering flexibility and choice in how learners receive information (Representation), how they interact with the content (Engagement) and how they demonstrate their learning (Action/Expression).