Learning Communities

UDL @ Dawson

Dawson College, Montreal, QC

About

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.

The UDL model goes well beyond the application of sound pedagogical practices; it is a new way of thinking about inclusion …

Read More +

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.

The UDL 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.

Read Less -

The Latest from UDL

Resources Produced

Putting The “You” in Education: Using Self-Reflections in the College Classroom

JEFF GANDELL’S PORTFOLIO: For my UDL project, I implemented a system of self-assessments. I aimed to make these self-assessments part of the fabric of the course. I wanted to put the students goals, needs, feelings, and attitudes at the forefront of what they’re doing.

See More

Universal Design for Learning: An Opportunity for Radical Change

DIANE SHEA’S PORTFOLIO: My introduction to Universal Design for Learning was in a Ped Day UDL workshop. The idea that barriers to learning could be broken down was interesting and pertinent to my interest in addressing the concerns of students who find the Dawson journey complicated or difficult.

See More

A Physiotherapy UDL Journey

CATHY ROY’S PORTFOLIO: 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.

See More

UDL: Pedagogical Portfolios

Check out more UDL pedagogical portfolios @ Dawson College

See More

Mission, Objectives & Procedures

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).

Objectives of fellows

  • Work with colleagues in a safe and collaborative environment
  • Receive training and support throughout the process of discovering UDL
  • Reflect and apply a more inclusive pedagogy in at least one course
  • Produce a portfolio describing individual UDL journey to share with others

Procedures of the Community: it’s a yearly commitment!

  • Participation during the Winter Semester is on a volunteer basis. It is a session for training and reflection.
  • During the following Fall Semester, participation requires release time for the implementation of the UDL model in the course of one’s choice, and on-going reflection.