Universal design for learning as a framework for designing instruction that assumes the diversity of all students and provides flexible and intentional means for ensuring learning has been around for close to twenty years. Over the years, the framework and its understanding have considerably evolved. In this research project, we interviewed 19 experts in UDL. The group of participants consisted of experts conducting current research on UDL as well as those with historical background in UDL. The findings focus on experts’ perspectives on UDL’s definition, measurement, relationship to policy, and other issues.

The UDL core principles, multiple means of engagement, representation and expression, are the cornerstones of UDL. In this module, you will learn how to apply these guidelines during the design of lessons, materials and instruction. You will discover that many classroom strategies you already use are compatible with UDL, and you will add new strategies to your UDL toolkit. Some of these strategies will require the use of technology and others will not. You don’t need to embrace technology to begin applying the UDL Guidelines.

Each core principle is divided into 3 guidelines and each guideline is further divided into checkpoints.Collectively, these are known as the UDL Guidelines. Please print a copy of the UDL: Theory and Practice version of the Guidelines (2014)(link is external) from the National Center on Universal Design for Learning(link is external) to use while exploring this module. In the UDL 2.0 version of the UDL Guidelines (2008), the core principles appeared in a different order: Representation, Expression and Engagement. Both versions are currently in use.