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Universal Design: Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment in Higher Education Dr. Susan Asselin School of Education Virginia Tech Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy February 9, 2012 Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 1 Goal Provide research based strategies to improve accessibility of instruction and curriculum for increasingly diverse students Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 2 Objectives UD Understand challenges faced by students with diverse learning needs Provide an overview of universal design (UD) Apply universal design principles to instructional practices Evaluate accessibility of tests and course syllabi Universal Design Faculty Initiative Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 3 This week.. Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 4 Universal Design (UD) What is it?? Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 5 In this test DO NOT READ the words, say aloud the COLOR of each word. YELLOW BLUE ORANGE BLACK RED GREEN PURPLE YELLOW RED ORANGE GREEN BLACK BLUE RED PURPLE GREEN BLUE ORANGE Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 6 What do you see? Beauty Ugly Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 7 Can you “read” this ? A word cousistsfoa sericsto graqhicsyndolsin space that have neamimgwhema seniesof soubsare limkedotthem in the propcrorber. Whaisineebedotread a wrod? What tiall doilsbownto siorpauization— sortimgont…differertiatimg…renemderimg …integnating Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 8 Why can you “read” this ? A word consists of a series to graphic symbols in space that have meaning when a series of sounds are linked to them in the proper order. What is needed to read a word? What it all boils down to is organization, sorting out, differentiating, remembering, integrating and translating. Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 9 Diversity includes… Ethnic, racial & religious minorities International and non-native speakers Physical, sensory, psychiatric & cognitive abilities Religion, age, gender Different learning styles Non-traditional students Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 10 Learner Diversity vision emotions perception processing attention motivation motor organization verbal language physical listening writing hearing anxiety comprehension math culture listening Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 11 Cognition Information processing External and internal stimuli Long term memory ◦ Prior knowledge Short term memory ◦ declarative and procedural knowledge Executive memory or metacognition ◦ evaluation and action Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 12 Students with Disabilities Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 13 Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 14 Ethnic Growth Rate Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 15 Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 16 Need for a New Paradigm Provide equitable access to instruction in order to address: Increased diversity in the student population Faculty concerns about accommodations Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 17 UD in Architecture making products, built environment, communications, usable and accessible NCSU, 1997 Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 18 UD in Instruction The basic premise is that curriculum should include alternatives to make instruction accessible to all students regardless of background, learning style, or ability. Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 19 Architecture to Learning Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 20 Universal Design (UD) in Instruction An approach to teaching that: Anticipates and welcomes diversity Promotes the proactive design Uses inclusive instructional strategies Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 21 Universal Design for Learning Multiple and Flexible Recognition Strategic Engagement ◦ CAST Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 22 UD Principles 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Equitable use Flexibility in use Simple & intuitive Perceptible information Tolerance for error Low physical effort Size and space for use Community of learners Instructional climate Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 23 UD Guiding Principles 1. Equitable Use equivalent means 2. Flexibility in Use wide range of abilities 3. Simple & Intuitive straightforward and predictable 4. Perceptible Information communication received 5. Tolerance for Error accidental or unintended actions Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 24 UD Guiding Principles 6. Low Physical Effort Comfort and efficiently 7. Size and Space for Use reach, approach, manipulation 8. Community of Learners communication and the exchange of ideas 9. Instructional Climate welcoming and inclusive Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 25 Student Concerns : Learning Environment at VT Accessibility – physical access, accessibility of texts and materials, etc. Unclear expectations about coursework and learning Variety in teaching styles Stigma attached to a disability and self-disclosure Lack of faculty awareness of disabilities and accommodations Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 26 VT UD Initiative Workshop series One aspect Tests Presented specific strategies Assistance Interviewed students UD Universal Design Faculty Initiative Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 27 Challenges in Testing Comprehension of items or directions Processing auditory information Visual processing Environmental ambience Time constraints Anxiety Embarrassment Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 28 UD Application in Testing Meant to: Remove barriers Increase validity Not Meant to: Decrease rigor Change content Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 29 UD and Test Design Simple, Intuitive Design Consistency, arrangement, language, visuals, streamline, headings, symbols and numbers, concrete, clear directions Perceptible Information Contrast, legibility, clear graphics, soft colors, white space , font, font size, correct grammar and spelling Tolerance for Error Accessibility, warnings, fail safe, sticky keys, drafts, un-timed, pace, transfer answers, transfer to scratch paper Low Physical Effort Body position, repetitive or operating, distractions, desk size Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 30 Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 31 Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 32 Student Feedback “Questions easier to read and understand” “Easier to compare answers” “Faster completion of test” “Easier to understand and narrow down correct answer” “Test set up in a way so it was easy to take and understand” Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 33 Application to Syllabi Equitable use varied ways to contact instructor choices in assignments Flexibility in use hard copy and electronic documents available in 16 pt font or larger if needed Simple & intuitive objectives, assignments & assessment linked calendar for due dates and events avoid acronyms, abbreviations Perceptible information multiple formats – audio, font sizes, captioned, sans serif font Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 34 Syllabi Tolerance for error criteria and clarification, drafts and revisions Low physical effort multiple ways to submit assignments Size and space for use classroom setting, audio-visual features Community of learners peer groups, links to student services, value open exchange and respect Instructional climate accessible to students, accommodation statement Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 35 Sample Statement "If you need adaptations or accommodations because of a disability (learning disability, attention deficit disorder, psychological, physical, etc.), if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My office location and hours are….. " Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 36 “Learners will always need some accommodations, but through the application of universal design, diverse learners can be more successful and in the long run we can be more effective instructors” VT Faculty Member Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 37 UD Resources The National Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities www.heath.gwu.edu DO-IT: University of Washington www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/ Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) www.cast.org Center for Universal Design www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/ Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 38 Questions??? Universal Design - Asselin Virginia Tech 39