For the digital badge for Universal Design in Teaching & Learning course, we've taken a blended approach. The course has three key elements:

1. Online module introducing the concept of Universal Design for Learning

• Examining diversity on campus
• Student views on teaching & Learning
• Intro to UDL – framework and guidelines
• Self reflection on current practice
• Additional Recommended Reading – 3 Hours

2. Group workshop examining current barriers for students and how UDL principles can address them

• Recap on UDL
• Explore academic demands we place on students and how different types of students may struggle
• Explore current teaching & learning practice
• Examine How UDL can Help

3. Assignment: Evaluation and redesign of current practice and reporting on their redesign experiences in a case study format (written or video)

• Select Module
• Review past student evaluations
• Redesign at least one aspect of the module using UDL principles (e.g. assessment, teaching materials, classroom resources, student activities etc.)
• Implement and deliver
• Undertake new student evaluation to determine success
• Produce a Case Study Report (written or video) on the process of the redesign and implementation

As a course facilitator, we provide you all the elements you need to deliver the course including:

1. Online Course

• LMS eLearning package compatible with Blackboard/Moodle etc.
• Template welcome emails
• Recommended Reading Materials
• Course Facilitator Instructions

​2. Group Workshop

• Detailed workshop plan
• All required learning materials (e.g. slides) and associated notes
• Course Facilitator Instructions

​3. Final Assignment

• Assignment briefs
• Course Facilitator instructions

As a Course Facilitator, your key tasks include:

1. Online Course

• Organising Upload to LMS (moodle blackboard) in conjunction with your eLearning department
• Signing up students to course on your LMS in conjunction with your eLearning department
• Sending Welcome Emails etc.

2. Group Workshop

• Organising a room and notifying participants
• Printing/distributing materials
• Facilitating the session/organising another facilitator

​3. Final Assignment

• Disseminating briefs and collecting/assessing finished assignments
• Sharing completed case studies on campus (see UCD book)
• Distributing digital badges

Other Key Tasks

• Fixing course schedule (recommended plan provided)
• Recruiting participants on campus
• Course administration and communications

Any organisation can issue digital badges as a recognition for work achieved or skills acquired – think of them as the certificate of the future. Unlike ordinary certificates however, digital badges come with a weight of other useful information such as a descriptor of the badge, a set of criteria met in order to receive the badge and in some cases, links to evidence of how the criteria has been met (e.g. an actual course assignment). Digital badges are collected by individuals in a personal digital backpack, which acts as a visual record of the person’s learning journey. Watch the video below for more detailed info on what a digital badge is!

No. You need to have some base knowledge around UDL but we've designed the course so that really all you need to be a course facilitator is enthusiasm, commitment and some time for the administrative side of it! We recommend that the Disability/Access service and the Teaching and Learning department partner up to deliver this course - there's strength in numbers and it will give your course greater reach. All facilitators should go through all aspects of the course thoroughly before delivering it. 

The full course facilitators package is available from the website of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. Just download it from there and start to sift through the materials and instructions we've provided. To be in a position to issue the Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching and Learning to your participants, you must liaise with the Forum and you will have to submit a ‘Declaration of Eligibility’ form provided by them.