Engaging Learners with Universal Design for Learning and Antiracism

Thursday, January 5, 2023
10:40 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom

Presenters: Jessica Schomberg, Library and Learning, and Elizabeth Harsma, Ph.d., Information Technology Solutions

The presenters will share ideas for applying both the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and antiracist teaching methods to courses in higher education. Neuroscience and education research suggest that all students can be skilled learners if barriers are removed. Antiracist UDL helps instructors address barriers to learning through curriculum, course design, and instructional methods. 

This workshop is for every subject matter and discipline. Educational research suggests that antiracist teaching can be applied in disciplines where race is not a central subject including biology, engineering, languages, nursing, math/statistics, social work, and many other disciplines.

Definitions of key concepts related to antiracist UDL will be followed by teaching strategies. As part of presenting information about how to use antiracist UDL in the classroom, the presenters will provide ideas of how to get started as well as suggest technologies that might support teaching and learning.

The presenters have developed a guide for attendees to use following the workshop. The guide is not meant to be a checklist or a prescription. Information will be presented in a way that encourages instructors to adapt these practices to meet their students’ needs, their course topic, and address issues of power and privilege afforded by the identities they and their students bring into the classroom - including race, gender, disability, class, sexual orientation, etc. "