Universal Design Beyond the Classroom
Looking to increase your understanding and upskill in Universal Design? The Digital Badge in Universal Design provides colleagues with a framework to embed inclusion into their work, to learn from their peers and to redesign their practice. The Badge is a free introductory course on Universal Design for Learning for all those working in Higher and Further Education in the Republic of Ireland and a nationally recognised micro-credential.
Sign up for the national rollout starting 6 October.
The Digital Badge consists of:
- a 10-week programme; roughly 2.5 hrs of work per week
- 5 self-directed online modules and 3 recorded webinars
- 4 peer group meetings online
- a Redesign Activity which is submitted and reviewed before the Digital Badge is awarded
- an optional 5 hour additional Facilitator activity for those who wish to support future rollouts of the Badge.
The programme and content is work based, very practical and flexible.
Participants will meet other colleagues from across the sector, learn about different contexts and disciplines, and share ideas and resources. Case studies from around the country provide innovative and creative ways to enhance services & supports, communications & interactions, and systems & processes for all users.
This Digital Badge for Universal Design Beyond the Classroom:
- Is for those colleagues who work in student support and engagement or support or engage with staff and colleagues - this can be directly or indirectly.
- For example: careers support, communications and marketing, IT services, libraries, programme administration, staff training, finance, estates & facilities services, and quality assurance.
- Is for professionals who interact either directly or indirectly with students beyond the reaches of the classroom setting who wish to utilise the Universal Design framework to provide an inclusive educational experience for all.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the current context in relation to Universal Design in tertiary education, reflecting on the diversity of your own student/learner populations.
- Explain and demonstrate understanding of the key areas of accessibility legislation which must be adhered to in an educational setting.
- Evaluate the diverse needs of learners, identifying how learners’ circumstances can impact their experience.
- Reflect on how you can remove barriers to access through Universal Design of student/learner supports and services.
- Apply the principles of Universal Design to your own practice.
Time Commitment - Breakdown of Learning Activities
Over the 10 weeks of the course, you'll be doing the following:
- Live Webinars 3 hours total
- Peer Group Meeting 1.5 - 3 hours total
- Independent Learning 7 hours
- Redesign Activity 12 hours
Total time commitment over 10 weeks is 25 hours (roughly 2.5 hours a week)
UDL Digital Badge Course
This introduction to UDL course is for educators in the tertiary sector in Ireland. It takes 10 weeks, and at the end you'll receive a Digital Badge from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in recognition of your achievement.
