Implementation of Universal Design principles in Learning & 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.  Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework based on research in the learning sciences, including cognitive neuroscience, which guides the development of flexible learning environments that can accommodate individual learning differences and cater for the wide range of diversity in our lecture rooms. 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 Learning & Teaching practice. 

Participants in this online programme will earn a nationally recognised digital badge. The online component of the Digital Badge involved engaging with a 6 hour (approx.) online learning resource. Participants must also attend a 2 hour online workshop. Finally, participants must complete a redesign activity where you will select a teaching/training activity (e.g. lecture/training session/assignment), evaluate it and redesign some elements of it using UDL principles you’ve learned about. You will then report on the process in the form of a 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, workshop, 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.

Facilitators

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

Badge issuers

The badge is a part of the National Forum’s digital badge initiative which seeks to recognise the work which goes in to unaccredited professional development currently occurring across the higher education sector in Ireland.

Registration

The course will next be advertised across staff email in Spring 2022.

Any queries should be directed to Dr Laura Lee: l.lee@ucc.ie