Universal and Inclusive Design:
Engaging Diverse Students
in the Classroom
Coconino community
College
Employee Development
Day
April 3, 2009
Chris Lanterman
Northern Arizona
University
What We Will Explore
• What is universal design in education?
• What are key universal design strategies
used in the classroom?
• In what ways can we enhance the learning
experience of our diverse students?
• In what ways can you implement
universal design into your own content
area teaching?
The many faces of Universal
Design in Education
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Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design of Instruction
Universal Instructional Design
Meaningful Access
What Is Universal Design?
• “Universal design is not a design style, but
an orientation to any design process that
starts with a responsibility to the
experience of the user.”
• (Institute for Human-Centered Design,
2008)
What Universal Design Is Not…
Universal Design for Learning
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Multiple means of engagement
(Physical, cognitive, and emotional)
Tap into learners' interests
Challenge them appropriately
Motivate them to learn
Multiple means of representation
(Information, materials, and instructional delivery)
give learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge
Multiple means of expression
(Assessment and student activities)
provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know
The Scope of Universal Design
Universal design is not just about physical
function. Understanding signs, finding
one's way, learning how to operate
products and understanding alarms and
warnings are all mental, not physical,
tasks.
Questions to Guide Curricular
Design
Questions to ask when designing curriculum
What are the goals or objectives of the lesson, unit, or
curriculum?
What do students need to do to demonstrate mastery?
Where are there barriers for the students?
What tools, materials, and supports might help?
How can I adjust goals, methods, and assessments so that
every one of my students can progress?
(Rose & Meyer, 2002)
The UPSIDE Project
The UPSIDE Project
Universal Design in the Biology Classroom
Dr. Dawn Tamarkin
Springfield Technical Community College
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Tactile Cell Models
Animal Cell
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Cheek Cell
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Elodea Cell
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Onion Cell
From Theory to Practice
Given what you have seen with the universal
design checklist and Dr. Dawn Tamarkin’s
presentation on her biology class, use the
case scenarios to brainstorm where
universal design for learning appears to be
used well, and areas where it is not.
Identify some possible solutions.
Evaluating Your Instruction
• What are some elements of your own
instruction that might lend themselves to
enhancement through the application of
universal design for learning principles?
A Commitment
• Will you commit to making at least one change
in the design or implementation of your course
which will take the college one step closer
toward universal design?
If you are, I am committed to supporting you in
making such a change.
928-523-3575
Chris.Lanterman@nau.edu