Universal Design for Information Literacy

Ted Chodock & Elizabeth DolingerResearch Services Librarians

Landmark CollegePutney, VT

Presented at New England Library Instruction Group Annual Conference

Western New England CollegeJune 6, 2008

Universal Design for Information Literacy

Learning Disabilities / Learning Differences

Universal Design

Our experiences applying UDI at Landmark

How do you apply UDI principles in your classrooms?

What is a Learning Disability?

A “disorder that affects people’s ability to either interpret what they see and hear or to link information from different parts of the brain.”

Matthews, D. D. (Ed.). (2003). Learning disabilities: The basics. In Learning disabilities sourceboook (2nd ed., p. 5). Detroit: Omnigraphics.

Dyslexia

“is characterized by problems in coping with written symbols, despite normal intelligences.”

“common characteristics are difficulty

with phonological processing and/or rapid visual-verbal responding.”

Turkington, C., Harris, J. R., & American Bookworks (Eds.). (2006). Dyslexia. In The encyclopedia of learning disabilities (2nd ed., pp. 81-83). New York: Facts on File.

Matthews, D. D. (Ed.). (2003). Learning disabilities: The basics. In Learning disabilities soureboook (2nd ed., p. 151). Detroit: Omnigraphics.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)

Is a “persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyper-activity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development.”

American Psychiatric Association (Ed.). (2000). Attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV-TR (4th ed., text revision, p. 85). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

How many?

1999-2000 9.3% of undergraduates reported some type of disability

2003-2004 11.3% of undergraduates reported some type of disability

5 6.4

17

7.511

21.9

0

5

10

15

20

25

1999-2000 2003-2004

specifc LD

ADD

mentalillness/depression

See Horn, 2002 & 2006.

Students with Dyslexia

Handwriting

Trouble with rapid visual-verbal responding

Find concept maps helpful Note-taking is problematic Slower than average reading and

reading comprehension

Farmer, M., Riddick, B., & Sterling, C. (2002). Table 7.1 Frequency and percentages of staff responding to question on problems of students with dyslexia. In Dyslexia and inclusion: Assessment and support in higher education (p. 119). Philadelphia: Whurr Publishers.

Behaviors of students with AD/HD

Disinterested

Disorganized

Procrastination

Misjudging available time

Impulsivity

Conners, C. K. (2006). What are typical characteristics of those with AD/HD? In Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: The latest assessment and treatment strategies (pp. 8-15). Kansas City, MO: Compact Clinicals.

Behaviors of students with AD/HD

Executive Function Dysfunction

Working memory & problem solving processes

Control of emotions & impulses

Internalized speech

Reconstitution

Conners, C. K. (2006). What are typical characteristics of those with AD/HD? In Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: The latest assessment and treatment strategies (pp. 8-15).

Kansas City, MO: Compact Clinicals.

Universal Design (UD)

The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.Connell, B. R., Jones, M., Mace, R., Mueller, J., Mullick, A., Ostroff, E., et al. (1997, April 1). The principles of universal design: Version 2.0. Retrieved May 23, 2008, from NC State University, The Center for Universal Design Web site: http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/udprinciplestext.htm

Doylesaylor. (2007, September 17). Afternoon sun raking curb cut. In Flickr [Photograph]. Retrieved June 4, 2008, from http://flickr.com/photos/doyle_saylor/1399859064/

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

The burden of adaptation should be first placed on the curriculum, not the learner. Because most curricula are unable to adapt to individual differences, we have come to recognize that our curricula, rather than our students, are disabled.

CAST (2008). Universal design for learning guidelines version 1.0 (p. 4). Wakefield, MA: Author.

UDL Principles

1) Provide Multiple Means of Representation (the "what" of learning).

2) Provide Multiple Means of Expression (the "how" of learning).

3) Provide Multiple Means of Engagement (the "why" of learning).

CAST (2008). Universal design for learning guidelines version 1.0 (pp.3-4). Wakefield, MA: Author.

Universal Design for Instruction (UDI)

With an absence of legal mandates relating to planning individualized instruction for students with disabilities at the postsecondary level, change will be fueled by thoughtful approaches that are responsive to the culture of faculty and features of their work that are distinctly different from those of their colleagues in elementary and secondary settings.

McGuire, J. M. & Scott, S. S. (2007). Universal design for instruction: Extending the universal design paradigm to college instruction. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability (19)2, 126.

UDI Principles

1) Equitable UseInstruction is designed to be useful to and accessible by people with diverse abilities.

2) Flexibility in UseInstruction is designed to accommodate a wide range of individual abilities.

3) Simple and Intuitive InstructionInstruction is designed in a straightforward and predictable manner, regardless of the student's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

UDI Principles

4) Perceptible InformationInstruction is designed so that necessary information is communicated effectively, regardless of ambient conditions or the student's sensory abilities.

5) Tolerance for ErrorInstruction anticipates variation in individual student learning pace and requisite skills.

6) Low Physical EffortInstruction is designed to minimize nonessential physical effort.

UDI Principles

7) Size and Space for Approach and Use

Instruction is designed with consideration for appropriate size and space.

8) A Community of LearnersThe instructional environment promotes interaction and communication.

9) Instructional ClimateInstruction is designed to be welcoming and inclusive. High expectations are espoused for all students.Shaw, S. F., Scott, S. S., & McGuire, J. M. (2001, November). Teaching college students

with learning disabilities. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED459548) Retrieved from ERIC database.

In traditional postsecondary education…the capacity of enrolled students to master the content and achieve the outcomes is essentially assumed, often within the range defined by a bell curve. A certain amount of failure and sub-par performance is expected and even required to validate other successes.

How many students are we willing to accept that we won’t

reach?

Gander, M., & Shmulsky, S. (2008). Universal Design for Instruction: Current theory and practice. Unpublished manuscript, Landmark College, Putney, VT.

UDI & the ACRL Standards

ACRL Standards for Proficiencies for Instruction Librarians & Coordinators

6.6 Designs instruction to best meet the common learning characteristics of learners, including prior knowledge and experience, motivation to learn, cognitive abilities, and circumstances under which they will be learning.

6.7 Integrates appropriate technology into instruction to support experiential and collaborative learning as well as to improve student receptiveness, comprehension, and retention of information.

UDI & the ACRL Standards

9.2 Presents instructional content in diverse ways (written, oral, visual, online, or using presentation software) and selects appropriate delivery methods according to class needs.

12.2 Modifies teaching methods and delivery to address different learning styles, language abilities, developmental skills, age groups, and the diverse needs of student learners.

UDI & Active Learning

Universal Design for Instruction does not replace Active Learning methods of teaching.

Active Learning methods of teaching become even more essential in the framework of UDI.

Applying Universal Design to Information Literacy (UDIL)

Barriers exist in the instruction, not in the user, and thus it is the instruction that must change. This change in mindset alone improves interactions between the non-disabled and people with disabilities, as they become potential partners in addressing the common problem of shortcomings in instructional design rather than exhibiting an inequitable power relationship where one person is the problem and the other the problem solver.

Creamer, D. (2007). Universal instructional design for libraries. Colorado Libraries, 33(4), 14.

How we apply UDIL Principles

1) Equitable Use Create web-based course guides Spell vocally and write out search words Print words (avoid cursive) Use a sans-serif font

2) Flexibility in Use Preview & review lesson plan with a vocalized &

written agenda Use of active learning methods that use multiple

senses Repeat back questions Focus attention internally by asking many

questions of the students

How we apply UDIL Principles

3) Simple and Intuitive Instruction Eliminate library lingo & library-centered concepts Teach only skills directly related to completing the

assignment Use student topics

4) Perceptible Information Stress usability features in databases & websites Shorten task instructions by using few words in

giving directions Presenting information in multiple formats

How we apply UDIL Principles

5) Tolerance for Error Allocate 1/3 to 1/2 of each class for individual

work time

6) Low Physical Effort Use of citation making software, print icons, and

other built-in time-saving shortcuts Decrease repetitiveness of tasks

How we apply UDIL Principles

7) Size and space for approach and use Redesign library instruction space to maximize

collaboration and minimize irrelevant cues

8) A Community of Learners Bring a sign-up sheet to class to make follow up

appointments Check in on research progress by e-mail Encourage collaboration among the students during

class

How we applyUDIL Principles

9) Instructional Climate Have a goal that provides motivation

Work with faculty to have a specific goal, such as finding at least one research article on the topic

For more see: Zentall, S. S. (2005). Theory and evidence based strategies for children with attentional problems. Psychology in Schools, 42(8), 821-836.

How we apply UDIL Principles

Applying UDI principles in your classrooms

What are your experiences with learning differences in your classrooms?

What techniques can you recommend?

How will you/do you apply UDI in your classrooms?