Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
What is UDL?
The UDL Framework, developed by the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), is built around effective, evidence-based teaching and learning strategies, accessibility, and architectural principles of Universal Design (UD) that enable learners to reach their educational goals efficiently and effectively.
The framework proposes that we provide students with multiple means of Engagement, Representation, and Action & Expression. Each of these UDL Principles corresponds to an area of the brain as identified by CAST’s cognitive neuroscientists in UDL and the Learning Brain.
The guidelines within the framework present specific teaching and learning strategies that activate those parts of the brain to foster deep learning. Implementing these strategies advances the goal of UDL, which "aims to develop successful and inclusive learning experiences for learners of all levels, abilities, and backgrounds." (CAST 2025).
Why UDL?
Students encounter a variety of barriers to achieving their educational goals. UDL enables us to reduce many of those barriers, including challenges resulting from physical, emotional, intellectual, and socio-economic status, as well as athletics or work schedules, family obligations, distance, learning a new language, lack of technology, or unreliable internet access. By proactively addressing the variability of our students’ diverse abilities, cultural expectations, and prior knowledge, UDL makes learning more accessible, thus creating a more equitable environment that is highly engaging and inherently inclusive.
Learn about UDL
The Schreyer Institute partners with World Campus Online Faculty Development (WCOFD) to offer the following ways to learn about UDL for Penn State faculty, graduate students, staff, and administrators.
OL 3600 Universal Design for Learning is an asynchronous, introductory self-guided online course, in which participants explore the rationale and research that supports designing learning experiences with UDL, read scenarios about UDL applications, and reflect on ways to apply UDL to their own instructional practices. OL 3600 is available throughout the calendar year through WCOFD.
Teach to Reach with Universal Design for Learning is a four-week, asynchronous, instructor-led online course where participants draw upon their own teaching or learning design experience and their existing understanding of UDL to generate and respond to discussions, create a UDL-inspired instructional activity, and provide feedback on their peers’ activities. Teach to Reach is offered by the Schreyer Institute in spring and fall semesters.
Universal Design for Learning Provost Endorsement is available to Penn State faculty and postdocs who complete both OL 3600 and Teach to Reach within one calendar year.
Custom workshops and presentations are available upon request.
Contact Us
To learn more about our UDL courses or to schedule a custom event on the topic, contact Mary Ann Tobin at matobin@psu.edu.
