Universal Design for Learning

1. Universal Design for Learning Bryon Kluesner Adaptive Technology Coordinator UTC – Disability Resource Center

2. Universal Design • Defined as … “The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for special accommodations.” -Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University

3. Why think about Universal Design? • In line with the UTC mission to embrace diversity • Ensures equal access to the educational environment for all learners • Celebrates human differences and promotes an inclusion based approach to our culture • Research has shown that this approach helps increase GPA and increase retention of all students

4. Microsoft Word, Universally Designed • Purpose • This module outlines the benefits—to you and your readers—of using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to create Word documents that are more understandable, usable, and flexible. Many of these benefits can be achieved using Word’s built-in tools and features, such organizing content in outline view, formatting with styles, employing best practices for page elements like images and tables, and saving your final work in multiple formats.

5. Presenting Information in Multiple Ways • One of the hallmarks of UDL is its insistence on multiple forms of presentation—visual, oral, and textual. Providing information in a variety of modalities can help you reach a wider and more diverse audience. When this inclusive principle is applied to the preparation of Word documents, the need for supplementing visual elements, like images and tables, with text descriptions becomes clear.

6. Images • An image can convey information quickly and powerfully—assuming it can been seen and understood. However, some readers may not understand the context of the image; others may not be able to see the image due to visual impairment, personal viewing preferences (especially on the web), or technological limitations. • Whether the image is a photograph, a clip art illustration, or an Excel chart, make sure the information it contains is available textually as well as visually. This can be achieved by describing the image in the text of the document, by adding a picture caption, or by adding an alternative text description.

7. How to add alternative text to an image • Select the picture and right-click (or press Shift-F10) to bring up the context menu, then choose “Format Picture...” In the dialog box, select the tab labeled “Web” and enter the alternative text description.

8. Tables • Tables provide a clear and succinct format for presenting information. But like images, tables can pose a barrier to users who cannot see them. To ensure that tabular information is useful to all readers, do the following: • Keep tables as simple as possible. Use the simplest construction that will adequately convey the data. Use two tables rather than one very complicated table, whenever possible. • Design tables so that they make sense when linearized (i.e., when read strictly from left to right). • Use logical naming conventions, and describe the function of the table clearly in its title. • Make use of table headings. • Describe the table’s significant aspects. For example, “Steve’s office hours are 10-11, Tuesday through Thursday,” rather than “The table shows Steve’s office hours.”

9. Outline View • Using Word’s outline view helps focus attention on the structure of a document by creating a hierarchical outline of headings and subheadings. Like a table of contents, outline view makes even the most complex document easier to follow. • Outline view also provides an easy way to take notes. You can rough out the basic outline of a lecture or book chapter, then go back and add details under each heading. • Outline view can help you to: • highlight main topics • navigate more quickly • move large sections quickly and efficiently

10. How to view a Word document as an outline • Choose View > Outline. Assign headings, then collapse and expand them to ensure that the document has the desired organizational structure.

11. Outline View and PowerPoint • Outline view and styles can also help you create a basic PowerPoint presentation. A Word document, styled only with headings, can quickly lay down the text for a presentation. Each paragraph formatted with the Heading 1 style becomes the title of a new slide, and each Heading 2 becomes a bulleted list item. Further heading levels become indented bullet items.

12. How to transfer a Word outline to PowerPoint in Office 2003 • Choose File > Send To > Microsoft Office PowerPoint. View the text in PowerPoint’s outline tab to make use of further outline advantages.

13. General Tips to Improve Readability • Make sure the fonts you use are legible and not overly ornate. For body text especially, avoid fonts that look like handwriting, calligraphy, or fancy headlines. • Use a font size that is large enough for easy reading. • Pick a text color and background combination that offers high contrast. • Define acronyms upon first usage, and avoid using slang, jargon, or ambiguous terms that limit universal understanding. • Explain any background context that might be crucial to understanding. • Hyperlinks to websites should clearly convey where they will send the user and, ideally, what the user will find there.

14. Saving Documents in Multiple Formats • As the popularity of electronic file distribution grows, so does the importance of saving documents in formats that everyone can access. By default, Word documents are saved in a proprietary format (.doc) that cannot be opened by other software. Fortunately, it’s easy to save Word documents in alternate formats. Some, like Adobe PDF, require additional software; others, like HTML and Rich Text Format (RTF) can be created by Word directly. • The RTF format is considered “universal” because it is so widely supported by software applications on all computer platforms.

15. How to save in the RTF format • Choose File > Save As. In the dialog box, select “Rich Text Format” from the “Save as Type” pull-down list.

16. UDL Key Elements • Curriculum • Instruction • Assessment • Environment

17. Curriculum • Determine specific content to be learned and strategies for ensuring access to that information • Develop a clear syllabus with a course outline and expectations • Post syllabus online for access for all learners • Provide flexible media and materials throughout

18. Instruction • Incorporate multiple methods of presenting materials. • Allow for multiple methods of presentation of knowledge • Allow for flexibility in learning pace

19. Assessment • Provide ongoing evaluations to determine what is working and what needs to be changed. • Provide frequent and flexible possibilities for assessments. • Acknowledge whether time limits are needed for the test. • Take home tests are the most “universal” in design

20. Environment • Campus climate that is safe and embraces all students. • Arrange physical space to enhance the participation of all learners • Ensure access in physical space

21. UDL Resources • http://www.washington.edu/doit/Resources/udesign.html • http://www.facultyware.uconn.edu/files/udi2_fact_sheet.pdf • http://www.universaldesign.net/ • http://at.unh.edu/fitsi/2004/handouts/instruction.pdf • http://www.lanecc.edu/disability/UDI.htm • http://accessproject.colostate.edu/