8 Core Session 4: Is There Really Only One Way? Rethinking Assessments with UDL in Mind
Jim Stachowiak and Veronica Womack
Introduction
This session will focus on the implementation of the UDL principle of multiple means of expression. Offering diverse ways of expressing what students have learned promotes equitable outcomes. We will unpack the assumptions underlying participants’ current static assignments and assessments, identify and discuss practices that reduce student anxiety around exams and deadlines, and discuss rethinking assessments to integrate options using a plus one thinking approach. Utilizing interactive discussion and a case study approach, this session will offer you ideas for implementing ‘multiple means of expression’ to reduce barriers for all both immediately and while planning your next course
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- Identify assumptions that serve as the basis for the design of current assignments and assessments
- Apply at least one UDL-based approach to your class to reduce student anxiety around exams and deadlines while maintaining rigor
- Critically examine course learning objectives to eliminate unnecessary components that restrict offering assignment options
- Apply the UDL principle of multiple means of expression by redesigning one assignment to offer at least two options of delivery
Pre-Work
- Watch the “Centering Critical Multiculturalism in UDL” video (4 minutes) below:
2. Take 15-30 minutes to reflect on your assignments and assessments by completing the Multiple Means of Expression Worksheet
3. Review each of the following case studies. If you are completing this session with a group, the case studies can be used to form groups for discussion after watching the session recording. In the live session, each participant chose one case study they wanted to discuss with a group.
Case Study #1 – Large Humanities_Social Science Class
Case Study #2 – Small Humanities_Social Science Class
Case Study #3 – Large STEM Class
Case Study #4 – STEM Lab Class
Session Recording
Presentation Slides and Resources
- Presentation Slides: Is There Really Only One Way?
- Presentation Transcript: Is There Really Only One Way? (Word document)
Websites
- Alternative Final Assignment Formats (Clipperton, 2019)
- Multiple Means of Expression (Coy, 2017)
- Sample Assignment Using UDL Guideline Multiple Means of Representation
- Offering Assessment Options: Motivating Learners through Multiple Means of Action and Expression (University of Central Florida)
- UDL on Campus: UDL and Assessment (Center for Applied Special Technology)
Podcasts
- Making UDL Work for Everyone with Thomas J. Tobin (Think UDL)
- See What Your Students Know through Multiple Means of Action and Expression (Skrabut, 2019)
- UDL Conversation Cafe: Action and Expression (Centennial College)
Videos:
- Differentiated Means of Action and Expression in Higher Education Classes (Center for Applied Special Technology, 2021)
- UDL Examples: Examples of Multiple Means of Action and Expression (College STAR, 2016)
Articles
- Connecting universal design for learning with culturally responsive teaching (Kieran & Anderson, 2018)
- Cross-pollinating culturally sustaining pedagogy and universal design for learning: Toward an inclusive pedagogy that accounts for dis/ability (Waitoller & King Thorius, 2016)
- Developing Pedagogies: Learning the Teaching of English (Sternberg & Lee, 2002)
