Course designs should aim to progress the learner on the continuum from novice to expert and allow participants to engage with the content in ways that support lifelong learning. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to assist curriculum developers in designing curricula to reduce barriers, as well as optimize levels of challenge and support, to meet the needs of all learners.

UDL focuses on three main principles: content representation, content engagement, and learning expression. The following is a brief description of each principle followed by suggestions on how to address each principle in content designs.

• Multiple means of representation provides learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge.
  • Replace slide text with graphics – where appropriate create graphics that display content when presented in audio files
  • Integrate images to support slide text
  • Insert multimedia such as audio or video where possible

• Multiple means of engagement aims to tap into learners’ interests, challenge them appropriately, and motivate them to learn.
  

• Branch content based on a learners understanding of a concept(s) where appropriate.
• Insert case studies to provoke critical thinking and applied reasoning.
• Multiple means of expression provides learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know.
  • Integrate questions throughout content that assess understanding of concepts presented — possibly after each new concept. Use a variety of question types to engage the learners:
    • multiple answer
    • multiple choice
    • drag and drop
    • ordering
    • true/false
    • hot spots

• Provide feedback/explanation of why an answer is right or wrong at the question and/or distractor/answer level. Feedback can include:
  • text
  • web resources*
  • articles*
  • videos*
  • annotated graphs and charts

* Adding this type of feedback to knowledge checks and quizzes require that custom feedback be added to questions. There are a number of tutorials available in the community demonstrating how to create custom feedback.