Successful launch of EUt+ staff development course on universal design for teaching and learning marks UN Zero Discrimination Day on 1st March.

Today EUt+ launched its inaugural staff development course on universal design for teaching and learning (UDL).  The course is launched as a pilot in EUt+ with the intention over the next couple of years of developing it into a state of the art course that is truly European in its focus and combines educational course design with accessible technologies. 

The UDL staff development course provides educators with a strong introduction to the universal design for learning framework and gives them the opportunity to implement UDL approaches within their teaching and learning activities.  This pilot UDL course is modelled on the digital badge developed in partnership with the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, AHEAD and UCD access & lifelong learning in Ireland.

It is really inspiring that this first launch of the course was heavily oversubscribed with 81 staff from across EUt+ partners signed up to complete it over the next two months.  The course facilitator, Dr Deirdre McQuillan of Technological University Dublin says that she is delighted with the level of interest to this pilot.  “It shows real commitment and interest to improving access and participation for underrepresented student groups in all our universities in EUt+.  We will keep improving this course through building a European dimension including accessible technology aspects to create something state of the art for the benefit of European Universities.  The launch day of the UDL pilot of 1^st March coincides with the United Nation’s Zero Discrimination Day. It is really nice that we can mark this day by demonstrating the level of our staff commitment to equity and inclusion for students through their engagement on this professional development initiative.”