Overview
Have you completed the Universal Design in Teaching and Learning or Universal Design Beyond the Classroom digital badge? Are you looking to deepen your knowledge and measure the impact of your Universal Design practice?
The Universal Design: Research and Impact digital badge builds on your existing knowledge of the Universal Design for Learning framework. It supports you in developing the skills and expertise needed to measure the impact of Universal Design on learner engagement and success.
This free course is designed for people working in Higher Education and Further Education and Training in the Republic of Ireland who have completed either the Universal Design in Teaching and Learning or Universal Design Beyond the Classroom digital badge.
The course leads to a nationally recognised micro-credential.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Embed Universal Design for Learning principles at a deeper level within your teaching, programme, or organisational context, aligning inclusive design with learning outcomes, assessment practices, or your professional responsibilities;
- Apply validated tools and frameworks to measure the impact of Universal Design for Learning on learner engagement, satisfaction, and attainment within your context;
- Critically reflect on and evaluate your Universal Design practice, identifying successes, challenges, and next steps for sustainable inclusive design;
- Lead and advocate for Universal Design within your organisation or discipline by sharing evidence-based examples of impact and building support for inclusive tertiary education environments.
Eligibility
Participants must have completed at least one of the following:
- Universal Design in Teaching and Learning;
- Universal Design Beyond the Classroom.
This is a pilot rollout with limited places. Submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee participation.
Professional Development Recognition
On earning the open badge for this course, you will have achieved further recognition across the following domains of the National Professional Development Framework for Staff Who Teach:
- Domain 1: The Self — focuses on personal reflection and the evaluation of teaching practices;
- Domain 2: Professional Identity, Values and Development — supports an understanding of professional roles and continuous professional growth;
- Domain 4: Professional Knowledge and Skills — supports the application of current, evidence-based teaching and assessment practices.
Course Developers
This open course was developed by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in partnership with UCD Access and Lifelong Learning.
The development framework involved extensive consultation and support from the Further Education and Training and Higher Education sectors.
Dr Bairbre Fleming
Director
UCD Access and Lifelong Learning
Dr Lisa Padden
Deputy Director
UCD Access and Lifelong Learning
Daniel Elliott
Programme Manager, University for All
UCD Access and Lifelong Learning
Kathie Orr
Research and Policy Officer, University for All
UCD Access and Lifelong Learning
Dr Claire Mullen
Data and Project Officer, University for All
UCD Access and Lifelong Learning
