The project is concerned with opening the institutional dialogue about the benefits of adopting the principles of Universal Design for Learning in our practice.
Current Project News
The local MTU rollout of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (NFETLHE) Universal Design in Teaching and Learning Digital Badge, is currently underway with 20 colleagues from across MTU taking part.
Coming Soon - Tuesday, 11th January 2022, 13:30-16:30 - Please Join Us
Plotting your UDL Journey: getting started and moving forward: A Seminar Funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education |
Presented by:
Seminar Description In this online seminar, we will be joined by Dr Jo Rushworth, DMU Teacher Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry in the School of Allied Health Sciences, De Montfort University, and by Dr Amanda Bastoni, Educational Research Scientist at CAST. Dr Jo Rushworth will draw on her experience as a UDL champion for her School as she outlines a range of options and starting points for colleagues who are starting out on their Universal Design journey. This work focussed on providing students with flexible learning resources, flexible ways to engage with their learning and flexible ways to demonstrate knowledge and skills, that impacted both learning and teaching and institutional policy. In an interactive presentation, Jo will tell us about how the UDL guidelines were brought to life and implemented across DMU and will lead us in a discussion of early steps toward achieving UDL compliance in teaching practice and of options for continuing development and enhancement. Jo’s work on co-creation with students will be among the highlights from her case study. Expanding on some key themes from Jo’s presentation, Dr Amanda Bastoni’s workshop will introduce the concept of co-design and (using the UDL framework) will highlight how educators can increase creativity, collaboration, and learning in their classroom by designing learning with their students. In the workshop, we will cover the why and how of co-design, including stories from the field, resources, and strategies educators can use immediately - in any learning environment. Those who participate in this seminar will learn to:
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What are the project aims?
The core aims of the project are:
- To highlight the benefits to staff and learners of working within a UDL framework.
- To broaden engagement across campuses with UDL principles.
- To begin the process of embedding good UDL practice across the institution and its functions.
Why is this project important?
As we embark on becoming MTU, initiating a campus wide UDL initiative such as this is timely as new systems, processes, policies evolve and change. In addition, this project aligns with key local and national priorities, namely:
- CIT’s Strategic Plan 2018-2023, in which one of the four strategic priorities identified is Inclusive Access to Education Opportunities and a Diverse Student-Body
- CIT’s Academic Strategy 2019-2023, where one of the three academic pillars is Ambitious and Visionary Student Scholarship and Teaching
- Establishing the Munster Technological University Application for Designation as a Technological University, as Inclusive is one of the 4 key values of MTU and inclusivity features heavily throughout
National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (NFETLHE) strategic priority Student Success
How will this project be delivered?
This project will very much leverage the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (NFETLHE) Universal Design in Teaching and Learning Digital Badge and the wealth of UDL experience already available through our Disability Support Office.
We aim to deliver this project in four stages throughout the 2021/22 academic year, as follows:
- Semester 1, 2021/22:
- Facilitation of a local MTU iteration of NFETLHE’s Universal Design in Teaching and Learning Digital Badge.
- Conduct research on best practice in UDL in higher education institutions.
- Semester 2, 2021/22
- Formation of a UDL Learning Community at MTU, comprising but not limited to badge participants.
- Development of UDL related resources for staff and learner.
Who are the project team members?
The following are our team members - you can contact us collectively via email at udl@mtu.ie:
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Dr Marian Hurley Project Lead AnSEO – the Student Engagement Office, MTU Cork Email: marian.hurley@mtu.ie Twitter: @MarianHurley19
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Linda O’Sullivan AnSEO – the Student Engagement Office | Teaching & Learning Unit, MTU Cork Email:linda.osullivan@mtu.ie Twitter: @OSullivanLinda |
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Ruth Murphy Disability Support Service, MTU Cork Email: Ruth.murphy@mtu.ie |
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Dr Sheila Walsh Marketing and International Business, MTU Cork Email: sheila.walsh@mtu.ie
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Thomas Broderick Sport, Leisure and Childhood Studies, MTU Cork Email:thomas.broderick@mtu.ie Twitter:@tommybrod2
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