Focusing Faculty Development in Higher Education on Universal Design for Learning

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Division K Roundtable Session 5

Abstract

This study investigated faculty responses to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) workshops as
professional development in a higher education setting. UDL is a teaching and
course-development framework with rich research evidence, providing all individuals equal opportunities to learn. To uncover understanding about the use of UDL in courses design and development, researchers developed UDL workshops for faculty development in a liberal arts university in the United States. The case study
design of this research drew on phenomenological principles and strategies: (1) surveys, (2) focus
groups, and (3) documents developed for and collected from the professional development event.
Findings focused on faculty concern about improving student engagement as covering the
content as rationale for investing time and effort to learn about UDL.

Authors

• Jingrong Xie, University of Missouri System

• Mary F. Rice, The University of New Mexico