Course Design | Research

Information and Research Around Overall Course Design

Numerous research studies on course design have been conducted to help instructors create courses that are designed with an optimal learning experience in mind. Results from these studies have been tremendously helpful for instructors across the globe, including those who use Canvas.

Universal Design for Learning

Created by CAST, a nonprofit education research and development organization, The Universal Design was created to make student learning more inclusive. 

Universal Design for Learning is “a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insight into how humans learn,” and is often used by educators, instructional designers, and administrators. According to CAST, The Universal Design for Learning is designed to take novice learners and turn them into expert learners who are empowered by and navigate their own learning because they have a voice in how they learn. 

Additionally, The Universal Design for Learning is often used as “suggestions that can be applied to any discipline or domain to ensure that all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities”. They are guidelines that are suggested for educators to follow to help ensure that all learners have the opportunity to participate in a quality learning experience. 

Guidelines: 

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    • Provide multiple means of engagement- motivate learners and stimulate interest
    • Provide multiple means of representation- present information and content in different ways 
    • Provide multiple means of action and expression- differentiate the ways that students can express what they know

Why Does The Universal Design for Learning Matter in Canvas? 

Quality course design matters not only for students but for instructors as well. Keeping to The Universal Design for Learning guidelines ensures that instructors are differentiating learning, no matter the student, and provides students with a framework that is easy to navigate, understand, and thrive in.