ELI Course: Implementing Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education

Implementing Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education

Course Overview

In a contemporary climate of exploding diversity in higher education, the notion of Universal Design for Learning is gaining momentum.  With its focus on design for diversity, it is applauded by students for its ability to shift perspectives and trigger a change in traditional pedagogy and mindset.  At the same time, however, it is often a notion sprung on instructors who do not always fully understand what has made it such an attractive model, how the paradigm is implemented, and what this shift might represent for them in terms of professional development and reflection.  This three part course addresses these preoccupations with a dynamically paced progression through ‘The why?’, ‘The how?’, ‘And now?’

Learning Objectives

During this ELI course, participants will:

  • Gauge the need for Universal Design for Learning implementation in Higher Ed
  • Identify the need for widened access in their practice
  • Gain understanding and ease with the three Universal Design for Learning principles
  • Identify some of the challenges in Universal Design for Learning implementation in a Higher Ed context
  • Devise sustainable means to develop Universal Design for Learning implementation momentum in their professional context

NOTE: Participants will be asked to complete assignments in between the course segments that support the learning objectives stated above and will receive feedback and constructive critique from course instructors on how to improve and shape their work.

Course Instructor

Frederic Fovet

Frédéric Fovet, Lecturer in Education, University of Prince Edward Island; Former Director, Office for Students with Disabilities, McGill University

Frédéric Fovet is an academic, researcher, consultant, and Universal Design for Learning & Inclusion specialist. Over the period of his doctorate, Frédéric held the position of Director of the Office for Students with Disabilities at McGill. During close to four years he was responsible for triggering and sustaining a campus-wide move towards UDL implementation. He was instigator, and program chair, of the Universal Design for Learning: Canadian Perspectives Conference which took place in Montreal in May 2015.


Guest Instructors

 

Resources