Previously in our series on Universal Design for Learning, we talked about the UDL principles in general and how UDL is a way of thinking. We also gave an overview of common accessibility needs for students with disabilities. This article takes a closer look at the first principle of Engagement and provides some simple strategies for incorporating it into Canvas and the classroom without drastically altering how you do things or sacrificing the level of challenge you want to set for your students.
In the context of UDL, engagement is defined as active involvement in learning that is relevant, valuable, and interesting. There are three key guidelines that help teachers achieve a level of engagement that helps all students be successful, regardless of their circumstances. The emphasis here is on providing options:
- Providing options for self-regulation
- Providing options for sustaining effort and persistence
- Providing options for recruiting interest
Let’s break down these guidelines one by one.
Self-regulation allows students to get into a “groove” with their learning. It’s how they determine what to prioritize and what they should be aiming for in their studies. So, it’s important to set the tone and provide resources for their success in this regard early in the course. Creating a structured means of self-regulation can make both students and teachers more keenly aware of how the semester is going.
Every course syllabus has a syllabus that lists the learning objectives and outcomes of the course. These are important in their own right. However, engaging students more directly by also having them set their own goals can make them feel more connected to the content and better understand their own learning. Personal goals can be set for the overall course as well as for individual assignments. Revisiting these goals and monitoring progress throughout the course also gives as sense of momentum and can help students pinpoint their weakness and develop strategies to overcome them. These goals can be a central basis for any 1-on-1 meetings with students to address their questions or concerns.
Sustaining effort and persistence requires that students feel motivated and empowered with the tools to get them where they need to be. One of the greatest resources and motivating factors in a classroom is the community within it. Developing opportunities for students to interact and learn from each other in meaningful ways creates a sense of inclusiveness, keeps students on the same page, and provides a built-in support structure. Small group discussions, short group projects and presentations, and peer review foster collaboration and allow for peer learning.
Recruiting interest is a guideline that addresses the fact that not every student will love the subject matter as much as you do. They signed up for the class, but that’s no barometer of interest. Yes, they are obliged to do their best even in subjects they don’t feel passionate about. If each student could better connect with the material, though—even just a little bit more—it could make for a more interesting class for all (including the instructor) and boost te quality of student output.
Two core concepts for recruiting interest are student choice and student voice. Giving students choices in assignments empowers them with a sense of agency that they can do some things their way. This doesn’t mean they get to choose everything, and the expectations and standards you want to set for your classroom still stand. If an assignment offers more than one acceptable format or style, or allows for a broad range of topics, it provides the motivating factor of being able to showcase their unique talents and relevant interests. Opportunities to share opinions, insights, and perspectives, whether in discussions or as a peer-review exercise, are important for student voice. Hearing from their classmates—people of their own generation whose opinions —can be reinvorgating. The diverse perspectives students bring to the table are part of what makes learning interesting.
When integrated, the three principles of engagement can transform how students experience their learning, making it richer and ultimately more valuable when they take it with them past graduation. Providing continous feedback throughout the learning process reinforces these principles, helps instructors stay attuned to their students’ experience, and is yet another way to keep students engaged by sharing actionable information about their progress.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash