October 2021
Meet Colleagues from the Learning and Teaching Subgroup Dr Niamh Plunkett, Head of Teaching and Learning at IT Sligo
We are currently devising a roadmap to outline where each of the three institutes are with UDL practice and the next steps for each so that we are continually striving forward with the same agreed agenda and process. We have established a CUA UDL working group for that purpose. Our aim is to establish a Higher Education Centre of Excellence in Inclusive Practice which would be the first of its kind in Ireland. Niamh represents IT Sligo on the CUA Learning and Teaching subgroup. In IT Sligo Niamh manages and develops the strategic planning of, and delivery of the academic support programmes offered by the institute to their students. She is passionate about giving all students equal opportunites to learn. She and her colleagues have worked hard on increasing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) awareness among staff across the CUA. Niamh says: “Strong buy-in was achieved through seminars, workshops, UDL digital badge attainment, and active engagement with UDL related projects and research demonstrating the benefits of UDL for all learners, rather than focusing solely on disability.
What is UDL?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn, including Students with Disabilities. UDL aims to improve the educational experience of all students by introducing more flexible methods of teaching, assessment and service provision to cater for the diversity of learners in our classrooms. This approach is underpinned by research in the field of neuroscience and is designed to improve the learning experience and outcomes for all students. www.ahead.ie/udl
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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