When I was first introduced to the UDL guidelines I was really interested by the concept but was terribly confused by the table. I struggled to make heads or tales of all the different rows and columns and how I could apply them to my discipline of Graphic and Web Design (GWD).
​
For my second journal I wanted to explore UDL further and figure out how GWD teachers in an intensive AEC program could apply the guidelines in their online classrooms. To fully understand UDL I recreated that daunting table with specific examples for each of the nine categories. I was sceptical at first but in the end I finally felt like I understood the framework and most importantly, how to apply it to my discipline.
I chose to use the examples that I collected to create a web page that introduces UDL to GWD teachers and gives them examples of how to apply the guidelines in their online classrooms. I wanted the information on this page not only to be fun to look at but easy to understand and navigate as well. Creating the content in a concise way that was accessible to the viewer even if they are not familiar with UDL was challenging but I had my original table to refer to which helped keep my ideas on track.
​
If I were to make any improvements to the site I would start by adding a downloadable PDF that could be printed. I would also like to recreate this as a video with audio (an example of multiple means of representation!). I would also like to consult with other teachers in my department to get some ideas for examples that would apply to the courses that I am less familiar with
​
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this. I have a hard time expressing myself in writing so I loved be able to present my ideas in a medium that comes more naturally to me.
​
Notes about the design
​
The illustrations were inspired by the analogy exercise that we did in our last class. My group worked on the gardening analogy.
Fun fact: green, purple and blue are my least favourite colours to design with so this was an interesting challenge!
Flanagan, S., & Morgan, J. J. (2021). Ensuring access to online learning for all students through universal design for
learning. Teaching Exceptional Children, 53(6), 459–462.
Houston, L. (2018). Efficient strategies for integrating universal design for learning in the online classroom. Journal of
Educators Online, 15(3).
Jeffery, K. (2021). Appreciative assessment in graphic design education using UDL Strategies. Handbook of Research on
Applying Universal Design for Learning Across Disciplines, 265–278. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-7106-4.ch014
Kieran, L., & Anderson, C. (2019). Connecting universal design for learning with culturally responsive teaching. Education and Urban
Society, 51(9), 1202–1216. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013124518785012
Rapp, W. H. (2014). Universal design for learning in action : 100 ways to teach all learners. Brookes Publishing.
The UDL guidelines. UDL. (2022, September 2). https://udlguidelines.cast.org/