A team’s approach to promoting and integrating UDL in teaching, learning and

The Learning, Teaching & Assessment team’s role in promoting universal and inclusive design is part of a broader landscape at Technological University Dublin, where many staff members already embrace UDL to support their own practice.

The wider organisational environment includes TU Dublin's strategic goals and University Educational Model.

Author: Dr Trish O'Connell -

Lecturer in Biopharmaceutical & Medical Statistics - Atlantic Technological University

Contact Details: trish.oconnell@atu.ie

Theme: Furthering UDL in the classroom: An academic perspective on overcoming obstacles

Title of Poster: Universal Design for (Assessment As) Learning

Abstract:

Statistical Methods for Manufacturing is a module on the 4th year syllabus for the BSc(Hons) in Applied Biology & Biopharmaceutical Science. The overall module aim is to give students the statistical tools, knowledge and skills to enable them to be valuable contributors when they are employed or on placement in a manufacturing company.

Carless (2007) introduced the concept of Learning Oriented Assessment (LOA) which seeks to enhance the students learning by reconciling both formative and summative assessments. The framework consists of three intersecting dimensions encompassing Assessment for Learning (AfL), Assessment as Learning (AaL) both of which are formative and Assessment of Learning (AoL) which is summative. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is used to motivate students to want to engage with the various module topics, to present material in a way that caters to all learning modalities and allows students a degree of autonomy in how they present their learning. Using this last UDL guideline in conjunction with the Learning Oriented framework for assessment (LOA) resulted in students completing a group project that proved to be both highly enjoyable and moreover valuable in terms of their experience of working in teams.