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Incorporating Universal Design for Learning in Disciplinary Contexts in Higher Education

Engage and remove barriers for all learners

The three overarching principles of Universal Design for Learning (multiple means of engagement, multiple means of representation and multiple means of action), provide a framework for all academic staff and teaching assistants to improve student learning, and increase access and inclusion in a variety of contexts across disciplines.

About

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles that can be used to guide course design and delivery with the goal of enhancing the learning for the greatest number of students.

Incorporating UDL in higher education is complex, varied and nuanced work that instructors are doing to meet the learning needs of students in their classes. In this guide we illuminate different ways in which UDL principles have been implemented across disciplines and in different ways to enhance student learning. Each chapter offers a case of how UDL has been incorporated into learning experiences in higher education.

Our goal is to provide discipline-based examples of courses that illustrate how UDL can be incorporated
into a higher education context. Along the way, we hope you will be inspired by the work of others. We wish you great success in your journey to teach courses that are increasingly accessible and inclusive!

Sandra Abegglen, Msc, MA | Research Assistant, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary

Dr. Fabiola E. Aparicio-Ting, MPH, PhD | Director, Health & Society, Bachelor of Health Sciences Program, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Dr. Mayi Arcellana-Panlilio, PhD | Senior Instructor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Dr. Laleh Behjat, PhD | Professor, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary

Dr. Barbara Brown, PhD | Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary

Tracey L. Clancy, PhD (c) | Assistant Dean, Faculty Development, Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary

Patricia DesJardine, PhD (c) | Practicum Coordinator, Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Dr. Cari Din, PhD | Instructor, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary

Dr. Patti Dyjur, PhD | Educational Development Consultant, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, University of Calgary

Carla Ferreira, MN | Senior Instructor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary

Dr. E. Anne Hughson, PhD | Associate Professor, Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Dr. Anusha Kassan, PhD | Associate Professor, ECPS, Faculty of Education, The University of British Columbia

Chelsea Klinke, MA | Doctoral Student, Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary

Dr. Ebba Kurz, PhD | Associate Dean of Undergraduate Health & Science Education and Director, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Dr. Fabian Neuhaus, PhD | Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary

Dr. Ganna (Anna) Pletnyova, PhD | Sessional Instructor, School of Languages, Linguistics, Literature and Cultures, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary

Robyn Mae Paul, PhD (c) | Sessional Instructor, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary

Houston Peschl, MBA | Instructor, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary

Rosalynn Peschl, BComm | Instructor, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary

Dr. Rod T. Squance, DMA | Instructor, School of Creative and Performing Arts, University of Calgary

© 2021 Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning

Recommended Citation

Abegglen, S., Aparicio-Ting, F. E., Arcellana-Panlilio, M., Behjat, L., Brown, B., Clancy, T. L., DesJardine, P., Din, C., Dyjur, P., Ferreira, C., Hughson, E. A., Kassan, A., Klinke, C., Kurz, E., Neuhaus, F., Pletnyova, G., Paul, R. M., Peschl, H., Peschl, R., & Squance, R. T. (2021). Incorporating Universal Design for Learning in Disciplinary Contexts in Higher Education (M. Arcellana-Panlilio and P. Dyjur, Eds.). Calgary, AB: Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning Guide Series.