Registration is still available for the interactive e-Learning course “A Practical Guide to Implementing UDL in Libraries,” to be offered August 2-22, 2021.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) has been around for some time and many librarians have heard of it. Yet, it remains challenging for librarians to implement UDL, as much of the available literature is focused on classroom faculty and often does not match our needs. It is one thing to understand the theory of UDL and have a desire to try it, but to move from theory to practice, librarians also need to have a tool kit of actual concrete techniques that will work in a library setting. The aim of this course is to do just that—provide specific UDL strategies that librarians can implement.
The course will be divided into three week-long modules.
- Week 1: Introduction to UD and UDL: This module will introduce both Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning. While the course will mostly focus on UDL, this module will also encourage participants to reflect on their library’s physical environment.
- Week 2: UDL face to face: This module will cover strategies that apply to both one-shot sessions and full courses, plus strategies for research help.
- Week 3: UDL online: This module will include strategies related to a number of online instructional formats: CMS, research guides, and videos/tutorials.
Each module will provide a library-focused overview of the topic, with links for further exploration. Participants are encouraged to apply what they have learned to their own library or personal practice through assignments, but sample scenarios will also be provided. Assignments will be turned in via discussion board, allowing for interaction between participants and instructors as well as peer interaction, supplemented by optional weekly Zoom chats. In keeping with UDL, the course instructors will implement UDL strategies throughout the course, offering multiple options for learning and providing participants with choices about the topic and format of their assignments.
Learning Outcomes:
After attending this class, participants will be able to:
- Participants will be able to analyze a physical library environment based on UD/UDL principles and will be able to suggest changes for modifying that environment
- Participants will be able to design/redesign an example of face-to-face instruction that incorporates multiple UDL techniques
- Participants will be able to design/redesign an example of online instruction that incorporates multiple UDL techniques
Presenters
Rachel McMullin, Ph.D., M.S.I.S., is the Humanities Librarian at West Chester University, where she teaches info lit sessions for everything from first-year writing classes up to graduate level. She became interested in Universal Design for Learning while researching how to better support college students with autism in library instruction.
Danielle Skaggs is Online and Distance Services Librarian at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She has an MSIS from the University of Texas at Austin and an MS in Instructional Technology from Bloomsburg University.
How to Register
Registration materials are online. Participants who complete the course requirements will receive a certificate of completion.