Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a proactive educational framework designed to make learning accessible for all students, especially students with disabilities, by providing multiple ways for students to engage with course content, access information, and demonstrate what they have learned. In this workshop, we will explore the first principle of Universal Design for Learning: Engagement, which focuses on the affective aspects of student motivation, emotion, and belonging. Participants will be introduced to strategies to recruit and sustain student interest, foster an inclusive classroom environment, and support student emotional capacity. These strategies are relevant across a wide range of TA roles. You do not need to be an independent instructor or have complete control over course design for UDL to make a meaningful difference. Even small choices in how you facilitate activities, communicate expectations and feedback, and present content can improve access for all students.
After this workshop participants will be able to:
- Understand the first principle of the Universal Design for Learning framework: Engagement
- Articulate what an inclusive classroom environment means in their specific teaching context
- Identify techniques for sustaining student interest
If you have registered for this event, or are on the waitlist and require an accommodation such as live captioning or interpretation to participate, please contact drakeinstitute@osu.edu. Requests should be made at least two weeks prior to the event, but the university will make every effort to meet requests made after this date.