Universal design for learning (UDL) beyond access in graduate online education

Abstract

Universal design for learning has become the most widely used framework for creating access to education for students of all abilities, especially in the kindergarten through 12th-grade school systems. Research and utilization have begun to get attention nationwide at the undergraduate level on higher education campuses. The current research on undergraduate education is promising, but there needs to be more examination of UDL at the graduate level, specifically in graduate online education. This case study will discuss revisions to a graduate online course that fit within the UDL guidelines. The author discusses teaching strategies implemented in their course and will support their effectiveness through confidential student evaluations and comments. One of the purposes of this case study is to provide a list of strategies that other instructors can quickly adopt in their courses. A second purpose is to provide support for more formal research into the utilization of UDL in graduate online education.