UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING &

INFORMATION LITERACY INSTRUCTION

New Identities: Adapting the Academic Library

#acrlmdmilex14

Claire Holmes, Research & Instruction Librarian

Towson University

November 14, 2014

SlideShare Link: http://tinyurl.com/UDL-ACRLmd-14

Learning Outcomes for Today• Introduce principles of Universal Design for

Learning (UDL) in order to provide a foundation for implementation of UDL-based IL instruction.

• Share techniques for facilitating active learning in order to brainstorm ways to shift IL instruction toward UDL practice.

The UDL Framework…

…offers flexible instructional materials, techniques, and strategies to help instructors to differentiate instruction to meet students’ varied needs.

UDL at a Glance

UDL helps us, as instructors, to:

modify the learning environment, not the learner

recognize “learner variability” as the norm

remove barriers through thoughtful, proactive design

carefully consider goals

Why UDL for Information Literacy Instruction?Most classrooms we enter as information literacy instructors

include students with diverse abilities and backgrounds.

Student engagement can be a challenge since most of us teach in other instructors’ classrooms.

UDL Guidelines align with the Information Literacy Framework.

UDL provides options for:• Presenting information and content in different ways (the "what" of learning)

• Differentiating the ways that students can express what they know (the "how" of learning)

• Stimulating interest and motivation for learning (the "why" of learning)

Networks of the Brain

(Link: http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/whatisudl)

(Link: http://www.udlcenter.org/sites/udlcenter.org/files/updateguidelines2_0.pdf)

Goals of UDL:Improving student access, engagement and achievement

Eliminating or reducing academic (and physical) barriers

Valuing diversity through proactive design

Selected Resources:• 14 Common Elements of UDL in a College Classroom

http://ctfd.sfsu.edu/sites/sites7.sfsu.edu.ctfd/files/14-Common-Elements-of-UDL-in-the-College-Classroom.pdf

• CAST Professional Learning http://castprofessionallearning.org/

• National Center on Universal Design for Learning http://www.UDLCenter.org

• UDL On Campus: UDL in Higher Education http://udloncampus.cast.org/

• UDL-Universe: A Comprehensive UDL Faculty Development Guidehttp://enact.sonoma.edu/content.php?pid=218878&sid=1818170

• Universal Design for Learning: Theory & Practice (Text)

• Universal Design in Higher Education: From Principles to Practice. (Text)

• What is Universal Design for Learning? (CAST) http://cast.org/udl/index.html