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Universal Design for Learning principles provides a framework for responding to learner diversity.

As we've learned so far, UDL is rooted in the fundamental concept of inclusion—designing learning experiences that can extend beyond barriers to increase access and engagement in learning for all students.

So, what are some of the most common barriers to learning?

Planning with UDL in mind allows teachers to remove potential barriers in the goals, materials, methods, and assessments that are part of a unit of study and individual lessons.

Designing instruction that includes multiple means of representation, multiple means of action and expression of learning, and multiple means of engagement reduces these barriers to learning.

_Watch

_Reflect

This video provides an overview of why common learning barriers exist and suggests various ways of overcoming those barriers using UDL principles.

Take a few moments to reflect on the following questions before moving forward:

Why do you think some teaching methods work for some students and don't work for others?
What are some other ways that educators prevent failing to support flexible development of skills in the design of their teaching materials?

_Read

Below, you'll find a link to read an overview of how UDL removes barriers and provides all students equal opportunities to learn. As you read, think about the connections between the principles of UDL and the components of a UDL curriculum.

READ: Removing Systemic Barriers in Education

_Listen

"We are unintentionally putting barriers in place for certain students ."

~Jennifer Pusateri, Universal Design Consultant

This quote, from Jennifer Pusateri, a University Design Consultant for the University of Kentucky's center for the enhancement for learning and teaching. She works with faculty to infuse UDL into face to face and online courses.

Let's explore the topic of using UDL to remove learning barriers further. This podcast episode in which Jennifer discusses how building a classroom around one specific way of teaching ends up leaving students behind.

NOTE! Only listen to the following segments:

00:00 - 11:02: The definition of UDL and what it does for educators
12:59 - 18:30: Hidden disabilities and unintended learning barriers

LISTEN: Removing Learning Barriers with Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

_Discuss

After completing this lesson (watching the video above, reading the text and listening to those podcast segments), head over to the discussion board. Follow the instructions there to share your thoughts with your peers:

DISCUSS: Removing Learning Barriers Discussion

_Assignment

Once you have completed these elements of this lesson:

Watching the Learning Barriers video above.
Taking a moment to reflect on the video with the listed questions.
Reading the text Removing Barriers in Education.
Listening to segments of the podcast Removing Learning Barriers with UDL.
Contributing your thoughts to the discussion board.

Head to the summary assignment to complete your final task in learning about UDL Principles:

ASSIGNMENT: Summary Assignment: Applying UDL Scenario

_Discuss

Once you complete the assignment above, Applying UDL Scenario, head to the final discussion board linked below to share your thoughts with your peers:

DISCUSS: Applying UDL Scenario Discussion