Ideas

IDEA #2: Agency & Universal Design for Learning

Learning Intention

Using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines to design multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression in a course creates the environment and opportunity necessary for students to exercise their agency.

UDL Goals for Agency

Environments intentionally designed to reduce barriers help every learner to engage in rigorous, meaningful learning that is:

• Purposeful — personally and socially meaningful
• Reflective — self-awareness and metacognition
• Resourceful — assets, strengths, resources, and linguistic and cultural capital
• Authentic — genuine understanding
• Strategic — intentionality and planfulness
• Action-oriented — self-directed and collective action in pursuit of learning goals

Engagement

• Incorporate simulations, debates, or student experiences.
• Balance challenge with support with scaffolding, checklists, and flexible due dates.
• Require interdependence in group work and discussions.
• Adjust activities based on regular student reflections.

Representation

• Provide accessible readings, slides, and media in formats students can adjust.
• Use multiple modes to deliver key concepts (diagrams, guided questions, media).
• Select examples, authors, and case studies that reflect varied identities, cultures, and viewpoints.

Action & Expression

• Have students select topics, formats, or partners.
• Create assignments with multiple options for deliverables.
• Support the process of learning with goal setting, checklists, and scaffolded projects.
• Recognize and assess varied communication styles fairly while challenging norms that privilege only one way to show learning.

Resources