Digital Badge in Universal Design for Learning

Implementation of Universal Design principles in Learning and Teaching promotes inclusivity and equity while also ‘future-proofing’ your teaching. As our classrooms and lecture theatres become increasingly diverse, our practices must also adapt to reflect the changing landscape of higher education.  This CPD course will give you an introduction to the concept of Universal Design for Learning and invite you to review and update your own Teaching and Learning practice. 

Please note, the Digital Badge in Universal Design for Learning was redeveloped in 2023. The content of the badge is now UCC specific, with colleagues from across UCC contributing their experience of implementing Universal Design for Learning within their practice.

Participants in this course will earn a nationally recognised digital badge. Participants must complete the following:

• A 7-hour (approx.) self-paced Canvas course. The course introduces the concept of UDL, and provides examples of UCC colleagues who have implemented UDL within their practice.
• Meet for 2 hours with a small group of your fellow participants to work through how you will apply UDL to your practice. The meetings are flexibly organised by your small group, and exercises are provided for you to work through.
• A redesign activity where you will select a teaching/training activity (e.g. lecture/training session/assignment), evaluate it and redesign some element of it using UDL principles. You will then report on the process in the form of a brief case study.

In total, the Digital Badge requires approx. 25 hours of learner effort. Please note you must complete all three aspects described above (online content, small group meeting, and redesign activity) to obtain the Digital Badge.  

Audience

This badge is aimed at academic staff and any other higher education staff members who have a teaching remit e.g. those who deliver teaching/training programmes for staff and students. Again, please note you must be able complete all three aspects described as per the above instruction to obtain the Digital Badge.

Facilitators

This staff professional development activity will be facilitated by CIRTL's Dr Laura Lee and DS Advisor for Inclusive Learning & Teaching and CIRTL Fellow, Dr Brian Butler.

Badge registration

Registration for the UDL Digital Badge is currently closed but will open again in Semester 2 26/27.

Any queries should be directed to course facilitators Dr Brian Butler b.butler@ucc.ie or Dr Laura Lee l.lee@ucc.ie