Becoming an Expert Learner with Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

How to Apply UDL to Your Learning

1. Engage with Learning in Ways That Work for You

💡 What it means: Find ways to stay motivated, focused, and interested in your studies.

✅ Practical Examples:

• Make it relevant – If you’re studying a subject that feels disconnected from your interests, find ways to relate it to your life. For example, if you're learning statistics but prefer creative subjects, analyze data from your favorite TV shows or social media trends.
• Use study techniques that suit your brain – If you struggle with long reading sessions, try Pomodoro sessions (25 minutes of study, 5-minute break) or turn key points into flashcards.
• Change your environment – If you focus better with background noise, use an app like Noisli to create custom soundscapes. If you need silence, use noise-canceling headphones.
• Join a study group – Talking through concepts with others can boost motivation and help solidify understanding.

2. Use Multiple Ways to Access Information

💡 What it means: You don’t have to learn everything by reading—use different formats to absorb information.

✅ Practical Examples:

• Use text-to-speech apps – If you struggle with reading dense materials, tools like Speechify or Microsoft’s Immersive Reader can read texts aloud to you.
• Watch videos – Websites like Khan Academy, CrashCourse, and TED-Ed provide visual explanations of complex topics. If you're studying history, watching a documentary may help more than reading a textbook.
• Listen to podcasts – If you find it hard to read for long periods, try listening to subject-related podcasts while commuting or exercising.
• Create mind maps – Instead of linear notes, use a tool like MindMeister to visualize connections between concepts.
• Use interactive tools – If you’re learning a new language, apps like Duolingo or Anki can make the process more engaging. If you’re studying anatomy, use 3D models like Complete Anatomy instead of just memorizing diagrams.

3. Show What You Know in Different Ways

💡 What it means: Traditional essays and exams aren’t the only ways to prove you understand a topic—find methods that work best for you.

✅ Practical Examples:

• Use voice recordings – If you struggle to start writing assignments, record yourself explaining the key ideas first, then transcribe them. Apps like Otter.ai or your phone’s voice recorder can help.
• Make a video presentation – If public speaking makes you anxious but you’re good at visual storytelling, suggest recording a video or making an infographic instead of a traditional slide presentation.
• Try open-book or oral exams – If you have difficulty with timed tests, see if your instructor offers open-book exams, project-based assessments, or oral discussions instead.
• Use digital tools for organization – If structuring essays is difficult, try using Scrivener, OneNote, or Google Docs’ outline feature to organize ideas before writing.
• Advocate for flexibility – If a specific assessment format is a barrier, talk to your lecturer about alternative ways to demonstrate your learning.

Why Should You Use UDL?

Applying UDL strategies helps you:
✅ Learn more efficiently – Find methods that work best for you.
✅ Stay motivated – Keep engagement high by making learning personal.
✅ Adapt to different challenges – Develop skills to overcome obstacles.
✅ Improve performance – By using multiple approaches, you retain more information and perform better in assessments.

Start Applying UDL Today!

💡 Pick one UDL strategy to try this week:

• Try a text-to-speech app for one of your readings.
• Join or start a study group to stay engaged.
• Organize your notes into a mind map instead of bullet points.
• Ask if you can submit an alternative project instead of a traditional essay.

UDL isn’t about changing what you learn—it’s about how you learn. The more strategies you explore, the closer you get to becoming an expert learner!