Universal Design for Learning
The Three Principles
Developed by the Technology & Learning Connections Team, a part of the Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project.
Overview
Student differ from each other in the ways they think and learn. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework based on three principles designed to guide curriculum and lesson development to ensure that all individuals have equal opportunities to learn and can quickly engage with the instruction. Digital technologies, online resources, and mobile devices can be used to design flexible instruction with options to support all students in achieving grade level standards.
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Activities
Engagement
Representation
Expression
UDL Principle: Provide Multiple Means of Engagement (The Why of Learning)
Discover how to help students value learning, increasing interest and active participation.
UDL Principle: Provide Multiple Means of Representation (The What of Learning)
Discover how to help students comprehend information and curriculum content.
UDL Principle: Provide Multiple Means of Expression (The How of Learning)
Discover how to help students set goals and share what they have learned.
Classroom Implementation
Complete this simple interactive activity where you match skills to the different UDL principles. Then return to this page.
You need to have choices available in the classroom and in your instructional materials before you can give students options and flexibility in engagement, representation, and expression. Download this survey and do a self-assessment on your instructional materials to see what options you have available as well as how much choice students have in choosing those options.
Next, download this UDL Look For survey and use it to review the choices your students have and the choices in how you present information to your students.
Exploration
For more exploration, look through the UDL Guidelines Graphic Organizer. Then check out the on-line UDL Ideas, an interactive tool to help explore more instructional options. Finally, there is a UDL poster with some of the information from this tutorial.
This resource was funded through the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services with IDEA Part B dollars. The information and resources are provided as a free awareness service to the educational community and do not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties involved.
Technology & Learning Connections Team