Universal Design for Instruction: A Paradigm for Increasing Accessibility for Diverse Learners Manju Banerjee, Ph.D. Associate Director, Center for Students with Disabilities University of Connecticut 1Banerjee, March 2011

Presentation Objectives Changing postsecondary landscape The appeal of “Universal Design” and Universal Design for Instruction © (UDI) Areas of challenge for diverse learners Application of Universal Design for Instruction through technology (e-Tools) Tech demo sampler Changing postsecondary landscape The appeal of “Universal Design” and Universal Design for Instruction © (UDI) Areas of challenge for diverse learners Application of Universal Design for Instruction through technology (e-Tools) Tech demo sampler 2Banerjee, March 2011

Changing Postsecondary Landscape No such thing as a “typical college student” anymore (Pope, 2009, USA Today) Vast majority of college students are “non- traditional” - part-time; working adults; dependents (A National Dialogue: The Secretary of Education’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education, 2008) Increasing diversity among the student population - students of color; low income students; students who face significant barriers to success (National Association for Developmental Education Resolution, 2010) 3Banerjee, March 2011

Changing Postsecondary Landscape College students are by far the largest group of Internet users in the general population (Allen & Seaman, 2007) Tremendous increase in online enrollment – (U.S. News and World Report, 2010; Sloan C-2010 Report on Online Education) Fall 2001 – 1.6 million students taking at least 1 online course Fall million students taking at least 1 online course Increase in online and hybrid course offerings Technology is fueling the demand for postsecondary education 4Banerjee, March 2011

Changing Postsecondary Landscape “The recession is accelerating the shift to jobs requiring postsecondary education.” “Postsecondary education will not be able to meet the demand for workers with postsecondary education and training.” (Carnavale, Smith, & Strohl, 2010) Technology is driving changes in postsecondary education 5Banerjee, March 2011

Changing Postsecondary Landscape Institutions are using Course Management Systems such as Black Board and Moodle to deliver online and hybrid courses 6Banerjee, March 2011

New Thinking Around Diversity Traditional approach – Focus on the individual or cohort differences - Disability addressed through remediation and/or accommodations New thinking - Focus on learning/instructional environment - Design of inclusive instructional materials, products, and approaches to address diverse needs 7Banerjee, March 2011

Universal Design Universal Design “means simply designing all products, buildings and exterior spaces to be usable by all people to the greatest extent” (p.2). (Center for Universal Design, Mace,) Source: Center for Universal Design, North Carolina State University 8Banerjee, March 2011

Universal Design for Instruction© Universal Design for Instruction © (UDI) is defined as “an approach to teaching that consists of the proactive design and use of inclusive instructional strategies that benefit a broad range of learners including students with learning disabilities” (Scott, McGuire, & Embry, 2002). 9Banerjee, March 2011

Principles of UDI© UDI is guided by 9 Principles Principle #5. Tolerance for Error: Instruction anticipates variation in individual students learning pace and prerequisite skills. 10Banerjee, March 2011

Areas of Challenge for Diverse Learners 1. Access to information 2. Engagement/Comprehension 3. Application/Generalization 4. Performance /Production 5. Organization 11Banerjee, March 2011

Areas of Challenge for Diverse Learners 1. Access - Reading - Recording of information 2. Engagement -Content mastery - Strategy deployment 3. Application - Problem solving 4. Performance -Expression (oral/written) - Communication; Test taking 5. Organization- Time and self management 12Banerjee, March 2011

Application of UDI: Traditional to New Thinking Traditional approach to students with disabilities has been through Tutoring, Remediation, and Accommodations UDI proposes anticipating diverse learning needs and proactively designing instruction to address these student needs Technology (e-Tools) can facilitate the design of inclusive instruction. For students, UDI means studying “smarter not harder” 13Banerjee, March 2011

Application of UDI Through e-Tools e-Tools are defined as digitally presented materials, instructional techniques, and/or strategies that can be used or manipulated by a course instructor to proactively create a learning environment that benefits a broad range of learners. (Source: http// 14Banerjee, March 2011

UDI – Dispelling Some Myths 1.UDI is a pedagogical approach; it is not a checklist of activities 2.UDI does not mean lower of academic or technical standards 3.UDI will not address EVERY need of diverse learners 4.UDI can be implemented through technology, but it is not only about technology 15Banerjee, March 2011

Implementing UDI -Tech Demo Sampler 1.Access to information (reading digital print) Text-to-Speech software Word TalkWord Talk– Text-to-speech for Microsoft Word (Free download) ReadPlease /ReadPlease Plus 2003 (Free and 30 day trial version - $ 49.95) Balabolka a.com/balabolka.htmhttp:// a.com/balabolka.htm 16Banerjee, March 2011

Implementing UDI -Tech Demo Sampler 1.Access to information (Recording) Smart Pen – Records and links audio to written notes; Mac and PC compatible; Cost - $ Smart Pen Audacity Software for recording and editing sound/speech; free Audacity Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard Speech-to-text for Windows; Cost - $ Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard Dragon Dictate for Mac cost - $ Dragon Dictate for Mac Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac – built-in audio recorder 17Banerjee, March 2011

Implementing UDI -Tech Demo Sampler 2. Engagement/Comprehension (Scaffolds/strategy) Adobe Acrobat Standard/Pro – PDF reader/writer Adobe Acrobat Standard/Pro Hyperlinks – Document with embedded links Microsoft Word suite – native features such as auto summary; audio insert into PowerPoint; commenting feature; research; outline. Inspiration – flowchart and mind maps Inspiration 18Banerjee, March 2011

Implementing UDI -Tech Demo Sampler 3. Application (Problem solving) WebAssign - WebAssign is a homework assignment service which was initially developed at North Carolina State University. Study Blue 19Banerjee, March 2011

Implementing UDI -Tech Demo Sampler 4. Production/Communication/Collaboration Wiki Spaces Twitter Facebook 20Banerjee, March 2011

Implementing UDI -Tech Demo Sampler 5. Organization (time/self management) Google calendar sionid=8-azutrLT0pjTy8wnzMbWg Microsoft Outlook 21Banerjee, March 2011

Anticipated Technology Trends What are the key trends in technology that are having an impact on teaching, learning and creative inquiry (Horizon report, 2011). Availability of resources and opportunities for networking via the Internet is an invitation to re- think traditional roles as educators and service providers. People expect to learn, work, study, any place any time 22Banerjee, March 2011

A New Formula UDI + Trends in Technology = Innovative Solutions for Inclusion in Postsecondary Education 23Banerjee, March 2011

Concluding Thoughts  Tech solutions have their limitations – individual profiles and circumstances must be considered  All students, particularly students with disabilities, need to develop competencies with mainstream technologies such as course authoring platforms, digital literacy, Internet, and social media  Focus on a core bundle of technologies rather than every new innovation; mix and match approach  Strategies and skills that are enhanced or supported by technology rather than the technology itself, is key 24Banerjee, March 2011