Universal Design for Learning: The Best #EdTech Strategy You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) might just be one of the most powerful strategies in education today yet, it remains relatively under the radar for many.

This week, to help draw a spotlight on it, I’ve been sharing ??#UDL tips as part of my daily #TopTips series, so let’s take a closer look at UDL: what it is, where it came from, and why it deserves a place at the heart of every school’s strategy.

What is UDL?

Universal Design for Learning is a framework designed to ensure all learners can succeed, regardless of their abilities, needs, or backgrounds. It is about making learning accessible to everyone by proactively considering barriers and designing resources, tools, and approaches that meet diverse needs. Importantly, it shifts the focus from remediation (fixing issues as they arise) to one which is proactive, ensuring accessibility is embedded in the fabric of everything we do.

The UDL framework is built on three guiding principles:

1. Multiple Means of Engagement: Providing options to engage learners based on their interests, motivations, and preferences.
2. Multiple Means of Representation: Presenting information in various formats so that all learners can access and understand it.
3. Multiple Means of Action and Expression: Allowing students to demonstrate their understanding in ways that work best for them, such as writing, speaking, creating, or collaborating.

The beauty of UDL lies in its flexibility. It is not about creating entirely separate resources for every learner but rather designing materials and teaching strategies that are universally accessible while still challenging and inspiring for all. This is NOT about VAK or Learning Styles, this is about when it best suits a learner who has a given need to engage, represent or express themselves, they can do so in a way which best fits their specific needs; think 'Essential for some, useful for all'.

Where Did UDL Come From?

The concept of UDL has its roots in the architectural movement of Universal Design. Think of ramps for wheelchair users: while essential for some, they also benefit others, like parents pushing prams. UDL applies this philosophy to education, ensuring materials, environments, and experiences are designed with inclusion in mind from the outset.

The framework itself was developed by the Centre for Applied Special Technology (CAST) in the United States and is grounded in neuroscience, cognitive science, and best practices from inclusive education. Over the years, it has gained traction globally, particularly in schools and institutions that recognise the importance of equity in education.

Why Does UDL Matter?

UDL is about inclusion in that it benefits every student by ensuring that barriers to learning are removed proactively. While UDL strategies are essential for some learners, they are useful for all and this idea lies at the heart of this week’s ??#UDL posts, offering ideas on how #EdTech can support #UDL principles.

Take, for example, adding captions to videos. While critical for students with hearing impairments, captions also benefit learners in noisy environments or those who find it easier to process written information. Similarly, tools like Texthelp’s Read&Write toolbar provide accessibility features that can support literacy for all learners, not just those with specific needs.

UDL’s approach aligns perfectly with the principles of effective #EdTech use. It is about embedding thoughtful design that reduces barriers, fosters engagement, and enhances outcomes—not just for some learners, but for everyone.

Learning from Experts and Leaders

If you’re keen to explore UDL further, there are plenty of inspiring educators and resources to guide you. Woodland Academy Trust and colleagues there such as Julie Carson and Daniel Davies are doing brilliant work on inclusive learning with UDL, and they continue to champion the importance of accessibility in education. Patrick McGrath from Texthelp is another great source of information on UDL and inclusive EdTech; his insights are well worth following.

UDL in Practice

This week’s ??#UDL tips have focused on practical ways to implement UDL using EdTech tools. From creating choice boards and enabling text-to-speech features to providing captioned videos and chunking information into manageable parts, these tips offer actionable ways to embed UDL in everyday teaching.

What makes UDL so impactful is that it doesn't require huge overhauls of your teaching practice. Instead, it is about small, thoughtful changes and/or pivots that make a big difference; something I talk about often with #MarginalGains.

The Challenge for Educators

"Oh no, another strategy", you might say, but embedding UDL is not about extra workload; it is a shift in mindset. By thinking about accessibility and inclusion from the start, we create better learning experiences for all, reduce barriers, and set all students up for success. #InclusionByDesign shouldn't be an extra, should it?

Have you used UDL in your school or classroom? I would love to hear your experiences and ideas. Let’s keep the conversation going.

You can follow my ??#UDL week tips, right across my socials here on LinkedIn and on BlueSky.

#EdTech #MarginalGains #TopTips ??#UDL #Inclusion #TeachingForAll

Evan Abramson Kathi Kersznowski, M.Ed. Al Kingsley MBE Nic Ponsford FRSA FIESE ?? Bukky Yusuf Darren Neethling Daren White Emma Darcy Carrie-Ann Gibson Leisa Grace Wilson Olly Lewis Alex Gray Caroline Keep Kat Cauchi Wolfgang Soeldner Ashley Bryant Jon Neale