Putting Students First: A Look at Universal Design for Learning
On November 1, 2024, Arapahoe Community College hosted its second annual Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium. Held in the Summit Room from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event brought together staff, faculty, and students to delve into the importance of creating inclusive learning environments for all.
Embracing Inclusivity through Universal Design
Vicki Aycock, Dean of Educational Partnerships at ACC, spearheaded the symposium alongside a diverse team from departments like the Center for Innovation and Learning (CITL) and Student Affairs. She emphasized that UDL aligns perfectly with the core values of community colleges often characterized as “open-access.”
“I think UDL is the modern iteration of the same conversation community colleges have been having for a long time,” stated Scott Guenthner, English Department Chair at ACC. He emphasized that community colleges have “always” tried to center their curriculum around inclusivity due to their open-access nature, even before the term “UDL” existed.
Lisa Matye Edwards, Vice President of Student Affairs, drew a compelling parallel between a community college instructor and a kindergarten teacher. Because community colleges welcome students from diverse backgrounds with varying levels of experience,
inclusivity in the classroom is essential.
“They’re coming from all these different places and levels of experiences,” Edwards said.
Making UDL Accessible
Implemention of UDL, while guided by established set of principles, can seem overwhelming. The symposium addressed this challenge directly. Presenters encouraged attendees to start small by incorporating one simple UDL principle into their classrooms. This could involve something as straightforward as “considering perceptions of people, cultures, and languages.” A methodical approach, like the one advocated by symposium attendee Donald Walker, a renowned expert on UDL, allows faculty and staff to make meaningful evidence-based improvements, one step at a time.
“What was one simple thing you can do, taking these practices… and how can we start adding on just one more thing as you go?” shared Aycock.
The symposium aimed to empower educators to create learning environments where all students, regardless of their background or experience, feel seen, heard, and supported. It underlined a profound truth about education: inclusivity benefits everyone.
What are the key principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as described in the interview?
## Putting Students First: A Conversation with Vicki Aycock on Universal Design for Learning
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into the world of Universal Design for Learning, or UDL, with Vicki Aycock, Dean of Educational Partnerships at Arapahoe Community College. Vicki, thanks for joining us.
**Vicki:** It’s my pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is Universal Design for Learning, and why is it so important, especially in a community college setting?
**Vicki:** UDL is all about creating flexible learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of every student. It’s about offering multiple ways to engage with information, demonstrate learning, and access resources. Think about it this way: just like a physical space needs to be accessible for everybody, learning environments should be too.
**Host:** That makes a lot of sense. You recently organized ACC’s second annual UDL Symposium. What were some of the key takeaways from that event?
**Vicki:** It was a fantastic day of learning and sharing! We had passionate faculty, staff, and even students joining the conversation. One key takeaway was that UDL isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s essential for ensuring all students have the opportunity to thrive. It also creates a more equitable and inclusive learning environment for everyone.
**Host:** And we know community colleges often pride themselves on being open-access institutions. How does UDL align with that core value?
**Vicki:** They go hand-in-hand. Community colleges are all about providing opportunities for diverse learners, from traditional students right out of high school to adults returning to education. UDL helps us remove barriers and make sure everyone has an equal chance to succeed.
**Host:** So, for anyone listening who wants to learn more about UDL or implement its principles in their own teaching or learning, where should they start?
**Vicki:** There are some fantastic resources available online, including the CAST website [CAST website], which is a leading organization in UDL. And of course, keep an eye out for future events and workshops like the UDL Symposium here at ACC.
**Host:** Vicki Aycock, Dean of Educational Partnerships at Arapahoe Community College, thank you so much for shedding light on this important topic.
**Vicki:** Thank you for having me!
