Many factors affect how
students learn, e.g., disability, learning
style, cultural and racial heritage, age and
gender. Universal Design for Instruction (UDI)
is an inclusive teaching model that connects
with a diverse group of learners, including
students with disabilities. The instructional
delivery methods, activities and materials
are varied and offer alternatives to the traditional
formats, such as lectures. Students with disabilities
use accommodations to help compensate for the
functional limits of their disabilities. UDI
may allow them to use a delivery method that
compliments their abilities, rather than attempts
to circumvent their functional limits.
Using accommodations, rather than UDI methods, is
time consuming for students and faculty. Each semester
students must re-establish their accommodations in new
classes, which usually means faculty are also involved.
Providing disability accommodations takes time and can
be labor intensive.
The accommodations model also has the potential of
highlighting the student's disability-related limitations
or setting the student apart from the class. If all
students have access to online notes, students eligible
to receive class notes as an accommodation do not stand out as "different."
Universal Design for Instruction addresses the learning styles and
needs of a diverse group of learners. This model eliminates the need
for systems and procedures that isolate groups of learners. UDI relies
on four key principles:
- Information is presented in a variety of formats and media.
- Students can use a pathway that most accurately demonstrates their knowledge of the course material.
- Using various instructional methods reaches more students.
- Using UDI often eliminates the need for setting up disability accommodations.
For More Information on UDI see:
"Equal Access: Universal Design of Instruction" at
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/equal_access_udi.html
"Video explaining Universal Design of Instruction in the university
setting (13 minutes)"
at http://www.washington.edu/doit/Video/ea_udi.html "Teaching Students with Disabilities: Universal Instruction Design" at
http://ds.umn.edu/faculty/ |
