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Why UDL is valuable

An introduction to UDL and its value in an Aotearoa New Zealand context.

Enables equity in education

Providing high quality education is a matter of social justice.

A foundation principle of The New Zealand Curriculum is inclusion: that no-one will be left out or discriminated against. That everyone will have access to learning in a way that works for them.

As every student learns differently, schools must create flexible, barrier-free learning environments if all students are to become successful, lifelong learners.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can help schools and kura design learning environments that are flexible, and where there are no barriers in the way. It is a framework that enables equitable access and participation in education.

Supports a shift in practice

The UDL framework supports teachers to make the shift from traditional models of education to approaches that value and are prepared for the variability all learners bring.

Without a systematic way to interrupt current practice in the classroom the impact of these barriers is repeatedly faced by each generation without significant forward motion to break the cycle once & for all

Bae, S., Ofiesh, N. S., Blackorby, J. (2018)

Source: Schwab Learning Center, Stanford University (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:

Schwab Learning Center, Stanford University
https://slc.stanford.edu/

Values and plans for diversity

Understanding and planning for the variability of learners matters.

One-size-fits-all thinking can create barriers and the "myth of the average learner" has excluded many students from realising their potential.

When we design learning environments proactively for variability, we anticipate and value the incredible strengths and diversity of all our learners (CAST 2018). UDL can help us do this.

Video hosted on Youtube http://youtu.be/RYtUlU8MjlY

Shelley Moore uses a great analogy to describe why planning for diversity and learner variability is good for everyone.

Source: SSHRC-CRSH (Canada) (opens in a new tab/window)

Closed Captions

Source:

SSHRC-CRSH (Canada)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn4ISk-Vdb8Q30E9IJn9R2Q

Everyone benefits

When UDL is implemented intentionally across a school or Kāhui Ako it can bring coherence to teaching practices that are inclusive of all learners. This approach benefits everyone.

Students can be confident they will have:

equitable access to learning opportunities
the tools and supports they need to demonstrate their learning in ways that work for them across all classes
responsive teachers who welcome their self-advocacy and seek feedback on their teaching
knowledgeable teachers who value and have an understanding of learner variability.

Whānau can trust that:

their ideas and questions will be welcomed
the uniqueness of their child will be valued and seen as a source of strength for the community
the learning needs of their child will be met
their child will not be singled out or separated from their peers.

Teachers have a framework to guide decision-making. It supports them to:

identify and minimise barriers to learning and wellbeing hidden in their teaching
consider how to offer useful options and supports that can be built into the learning environment at the outset
problem solve with colleagues, students and whānau using the shared language of UDL.

Leaders have a framework that will:

support their growth and development as an inclusive school
support consistent, coherent inclusive teaching and learning practices across their school
guide the design of more inclusive systems and processes, community events and building projects
provide a shared language that can be used with all stakeholders, across all contexts.

Source: Chrissie Butler.

A culturally inclusive framework

Although UDL has been developed in the US, it resonates for us here in Aotearoa.

UDL takes a people-first approach to planning learning. It asks us to think about who we will teach and what those learners bring with them before we think about what we will teach.

UDL is focussed on ensuring all learners get a chance to learn in ways that work for them. It is about removing barriers and opening doors to learning. It is driven not only by the findings from neuroscience and educational research but by a vision for equity.

UDL has allowed people to see inequity in places and spaces where they hadn’t considered it before.

That has given us a doorway to talk about inequities for Māori.

Janelle Riki-Waaka

Source: CORE Education (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:

CORE Education
https://www.core-ed.org/

Summary

The UDL framework helps us:

build our understanding of learner variability and its implications for teaching and learning
identify and remove barriers to learning hidden in the way we routinely do things
move away from random well-intentioned acts of inclusion
collaborate and work together using a shared language and evidenced-based approaches
guides deliberate coherent innovation in inclusive design
realise our vision for The New Zealand Curriculum and inclusive schools.

Next steps

Return to the guide “Universal Design for Learning”

Universal Design for Learning

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Why UDL is valuable

On this page:

On this page:

Enables equity in education

Supports a shift in practice

Values and plans for diversity

Everyone benefits

A culturally inclusive framework

Summary

Next steps

How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: Universal Design for Learning

Understand:

Strategies for action:

Key resources: