Skip to main content

Inclusive Education

From
Date
30 October 2025
Link
inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/universal-design-for-learning/design-options-for-welcoming-interests

Design options for welcoming interests and identities

Engagement guideline

On this page:

On this page:

Current page section: Design options for welcoming interests

Go to top of current page: Design options for welcoming interests

Show list of page sections

Go to top of current page: Design options for welcoming interests

Go to top of current page: Design options for welcoming interests

Why this matters

Why this matters

This guideline helps us design learning opportunities that are engaging and affirm the identity of every learner.

This is a critical step to ensuring learners are able to access and engage with the learning process (CAST, 2024).

Design options for welcoming interests and identities prompts us to consider learner variability at the outset and offer options to:

The guideline also reminds us to consider:

  • How will these options support learners in reaching their goals?
  • Could any of these options create barriers or unnecessary challenges?
  • Will all learners have fair and equal access to high-quality choices?
  • How do these options reflect and respond to learner variability?

Source: Design options for welcoming interests and identities: UDL Guidelines 3.0 | CAST (2024) (opens in a new tab/window)

Optimise relevance, value, and authenticity

Optimise relevance, value, and authenticity

Learners will vary in what they find relevant or valuable.

Consider these ideas:

  • Offer flexibility within learning activities so they can be personalised to learners' identities and experiences.
  • Design activities so learning outcomes are authentic, communicate to real audiences, and reflect a clear purpose.
  • Provide tasks that enable active participation, exploration, and experimentation.
  • Include activities that foster the use of imagination to solve novel and relevant problems or make sense of complex ideas in creative ways.

Source: Optimise relevance, value, and authenticity, UDL Guidelines 3.0, CAST (2024). (opens in a new tab/window)

Nurture joy and play

Nurture joy and play

Embed options and flexibility to support exploration and play, and spark joy (CAST, 2024).

  • Nurture playfulness through outdoor play, sensory play, imaginative play, storytelling and play through the arts.
  • Incorporate opportunities for exploration, experimentation, and discovery across all learning areas.
  • Create space for learners to find joy through connections to their identities, sense of self, and communities.
  • Create space for learners to take pride in their progress.

Source: Nurture joy and play: UDL Guidelines 3.0 | CAST (2024) (opens in a new tab/window)

Useful resources

Useful resources

Website

Design options for welcoming interests and identities (UDL Guideline)

This UDL guideline invites educators to consider how to create learning environments that affirm the dignity of every learner and support access to learning for all.

This guideline supports the UDL Engagement principle.

Publisher: CAST (2024)

Visit website

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Design multiple means of Engagement”:

Return to the guide “Universal Design for Learning”

UDL Guide image

Universal Design for Learning

- Updated
- Popular

How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: Universal Design for Learning

Understand:

Strategies for action:

Key resources:

Top

This is a Ministry of Education initiative​​​​​​​. We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.

This information was downloaded/printed from the Ministry of Education's website "Inclusive Education". Except where otherwise noted it is Crown Copyright 2018.

Information on the Inclusive Education website is regularly updated so we recommend you check the website version of this information to ensure it remains current.