Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Why it matters

UDL plays a central role in the University’s commitment to inclusive learning and teaching. It supports the goals of the Curriculum Framework Transformation and is reflected across the Canvas Baseline Practices (CBP), especially in areas like:

• Clarity and structure of content
• Accessibility of resources
• Flexibility in assessments and engagement

The Canvas Baseline Plus recommendations also build on UDL principles—encouraging student agency, multiple modes of assessment, and relational approaches to learning.

UDL provides the pedagogical rationale; CBP puts it into action.

Support student motivation and persistence

For example:

• Include real-world case studies and let students choose which one to discuss in a breakout session.
• Embed an optional weekly 2-question survey where students reflect on progress and set next-week goals.
• Allow students to choose the type of activity to explore a concept—journalling, a video diary, or designing an infographic.
• Organise small peer-review groups where students give each other structured feedback.

In Canvas:

• Include a ‘getting started’ module with short videos, readings, and a student poll.

Help students understand your content

For example:

• Pair each core reading with a 2-minute captioned video summary and infographic of key ideas.
• Provide a one-page concept map or bulleted advance organiser at the top of every module.
• Add alt text to images, use structured headings in documents, and supply captions and/or transcripts for videos.
• Include a glossary of key terms with simple definitions and side-by-side translations.

In Canvas:

• Provide weekly pages that include visuals, videos, and simplified text summaries.

Offer choice in how students demonstrate learning

For example:

• Let students choose how to demonstrate their understanding—an essay, a 3-minute podcast, or a slide deck.
• Share a step-by-step project checklist and a completed exemplar to model expectations.
• Set up structured peer-review sessions with clear feedback prompts.
• Replace in-class quizzes with untimed, open-book take-home assessments.

In Canvas:

• Accompany assignments with clear marking rubrics and allow for multiple submission formats.

Here are some small, actionable ideas to help you integrate UDL into your teaching—whether in Canvas or the classroom. Choose one element of your course to revise.

For example:

• Add a short video summary alongside a written reading.
• Provide a visual checklist for a complex assignment.
• Allow students to submit either a video or a written reflection.

These small changes can significantly improve clarity, flexibility, and accessibility for all learners.