Universal Design for Learning @ Dawson

About

The UDL (Universal Design for Learning) model goes well beyond the application of sound pedagogical practices; it is a new way of thinking about inclusion as a whole and applying it systematically to teaching. Certainly, the development of a new mindset requires effort, discussion, thinking with a long-term perspective, and questioning one’s own values and beliefs, but it allows for building a solid, lasting, inclusive educational approach. From our experience in applying UDL and assisting other teachers to adopt this approach, UDL provides considerable satisfaction and recognition of effort to both learners and teachers.

What is Universal Design for Learning?

A UDL journey – Check out our journey with UDL @ Dawson. This pedagogical model has empowered our teaching, and our feeling of doing something good in our classes, for almost five years now.
Variability is the norm ! – We have to teach the same content but to a new and very diverse student population.
Remove the barriers – We need to rethink our classrooms.
UDL principles – Review the table below representing three areas of the UDL model

UDL@Dawson is more than a concept! It’s also a research team and a lively learning community.

Our Mission

UDL@Dawson CoP fosters and supports a shift in pedagogical paradigm aimed at implementing inclusive instruction through the Universal Design for Learning model (UDL).

Our History

The UDL@Dawson team, previously known as Équipe CLÉ, is a team made up of two teachers in the French department (Catherine Soleil and Laure Galipeau) and a professional in the Student AccessAbility Centre (Effie Konstantinopoulos). This team was created in Winter 2011, thanks to institutional funding, in an effort to create an inclusive learning environment at the college level.

Since 2015, UDL@Dawson Community of Practice has welcomed and offered support to faculty and professionals of the Dawson community who wish to be more inclusive in their pedagogy. Every Winter semester, a new UDL@Dawson group is formed. Members meet on a regular basis throughout the term to further their understanding of the UDL model and to reflect on inclusive pedagogy.

Resources

UDL to Change the World (1:03)

Hear from UDL practitioners from across the world about how they use the Universal Design to empower all learners.

Universal Design for Learning Principles in Action (2:41)

Listen to Dr. Elizabeth Berquist – Innovation in Teaching Award Winner discuss UDL Principles in Action: Examples in Practice

UDL model in Higher Education

Site provides: Information on course design and accessibility practices with videos, resources and materials

References/Médiagraphie

Faculty Pedagogical Portfolios

Ahmad Banki Portfolio (Economics)

In the light of my training in the UDL community of practice, I developed a number of practical observations and methods to enhance my course designs pedagogically.

Cathy Roy’s Portfolio (Physiotherapy)

I was introduced to the idea of universal design for learning purely by accident, while looking for guidelines for how to integrate a physically disabled student into a physically demanding course.

Chantale Giguère Portfolio (e-learning)

Developing the most inclusive distance French course possible from the start seemed important to me, despite the scale of the challenge.

Portfolio de Laetitia Desanti (Français)

Loin d’être séparées, ces expériences sont inextricablement liées et elles expliquent mon souhait de recourir à la CUA/UDL.

Maria Dikeakos’s Portfolio (Physics)

As a teacher in the sciences, I am always trying to reach all of the students in the class. A variety of learning styles accordingly means a variety of teaching styles.

More Pedagogical Faculty Portfolios

Check out our cohort portfolios on Economics, E-Learning, English, Français, History, Humanities, Physical ed, Philosophy, Physics, Physiotherapy, Sociology – Click here.

For our gathering picture (left)

From top left to bottom left :

Effie Konstantinopoulos (SAAC/UDL coordinator), Jessica Lim (Philosophy/Humanities)
Cathy Roy (Physiotherapy Technology), Chantale Giguère (French/E-Learning coordinator)
Jeff Gandell (English), Laura Niculae (French ContEd), Maria Dikeakos (Physics)
Laetitia Desanti (French), Laure Galipeau (French/UDL coordinator)
Catherine Soleil (French/UDL coordinator)

UDL Coordinators

Laure Galipeau

SALTISE Contributor, Dawson College, Montreal

Effie Konstantinopoulos

SALTISE Contributor, Dawson College, Montreal

Catherine Soleil

French Department, Dawson College, Montreal

Cathy Roy

SALTISE Contributor, Dawson College, Montreal

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