Implementing Universal Design for Learning in the Research Classroom

Background/Introduction: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach that aims to provide greater educational opportunities for all learners. While UDL is well-known and utilized by educators in K-12 and some areas of higher education, there are few publications on the use of this framework in academic nursing.

Purpose: This presentation describes the UDL framework and how UDL principles were applied in a Nursing Research / Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) course for BSN students.

Methods or Processes/Procedures: The activity "Tea Test Time in NURS 420" was designed for the face-to face Research / EBP course. The classroom was set up with a table serving iced tea and cookies. Students counted the number of chips in two types of cookies and entered this data into an internet program that calculated a t-test. This activity was linked to the use of t-tests in research studies, through review of journal articles and group discussion.

Results: Principles of the UDL framework were met in the following ways: --Principle 1: Provide learners with multiple means of engagement. Serving tea and cookies to students caught their interest. --Principle 2: Provide multiple means of representation. Information on the statistical t-test was provided through cognitive, kinesthetic, social and technological means. --Principle 3: Provide multiple means of expression. Students demonstrated their learning through participation in the data collection, review and analysis of journal articles, and participation in discussion.

Limitations: The described activity is just one example of utilizing UDL principles in the classroom.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice: These activities were engaging for students and gave students a variety of ways to give meaning to their learning. Activities met the criteria of the UDL framework, by using multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression.

Sherrilyn Coffman
PhD, RN, COI
Professor
Nevada State College

Biography

Sherrilyn Coffman, PhD, RN, COI, is a Professor and Pre-Licensure Director at Nevada State College, in Henderson Nevada. Her clinical background is in pediatric nursing, and she has worked as an educator, researcher, case-manager, administrator, clinical specialist and staff nurse. Her research interests focus around social support, caring science, simulation, and universal design for learning (UDL). Most recently she completed a concept analysis on UDL in higher education. In her teaching, she continues to try out new active learning approaches following UDL principles.

Phone: (702) 992-2045
Email: sherrilyn.coffman@nsc.edu