NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: ED517742
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 204
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1241-7918-6
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
A Case Study of Universal Design for Learning Applied in the College Classroom
Leichliter, Marie E.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, West Virginia University
As the landscape of education and the demographics of the postsecondary classroom continue to evolve, so too must the teaching practices at our nation's institutions of higher education. This study follows an instructor who has evolved to incorporate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) techniques into her classroom, even though prior to participation in this research study, she had not heard of UDL. UDL is a flexible framework used to design curricula that enable all learners to acquire knowledge, skills, and motivation to learn. This qualitative, descriptive case study addressed how and to what extent UDL techniques are being implemented in the college classroom and what student's perceptions of how these UDL techniques affect their learning. Data were collected over the course of a semester via field-based observations, semi-structured interviews, a survey, and a review of course materials. The case study participants included 38 students and an assistant professor at an institution of higher education in West Virginia. Results indicated that the instructor was implementing many UDL techniques in her classroom and that the majority of students both acknowledged and positively received these techniques. The data gathered during this study also revealed that the implementation of UDL in the college classroom is more than mere theory; the application of the UDL framework and principles are practical. Neuroscience suggests that no two students learn the same way or experience the same event with identical observations; responses are as unique as our fingerprints or DNA. As educators, our instruction must meet the needs of unique and diverse learners. UDL assists instructors to meet a diversity of needs through a single curriculum design. Research studies indicate that UDL is "best practice" teaching. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: West Virginia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A