IDRAC 2019: November 1 @ 11:30 am SLT, UDL in Higher Ed

Dr. Frederic Fovet

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a research-based education approach that uses flexible teaching, learning and evaluation to accommodate differences in learners’ capabilities.

Starting at 11:30 am SLT (Pacific time) on Friday, Nov. 1,  Dr. Frederic Fovet will examine the current use of UDL in Higher Education and the future potential it offers campuses in managing access in a more sustainable way.  The presentation will examine three questions: why? how? when?

Why?  Higher education practitioners can be overwhelmed by the vast amount of variables, frameworks and priorities they constantly juggle.  It is essential to offer a concise, clear and immediately pertinent explanation as to why UDL is relevant in the current landscape if we hope the field to start paying attention.

How?  Even once campuses have become convinced of the benefits of UDL, many fail to push its implementation successfully. The presentation will examine the common pitfalls and attempt to draw a blueprint for sustainable cross-campus implementation.

When?  Timing is crucial for successful UDL implementation.  How do we prepare the various stakeholders for the roles they are to play? How do we support management of change and a shift in mindset?  When is a campus ripe for genuine and sustainable UDL implementation?

Frederic Fovet is an Associate Professor in the School of Education and Technology at Royal Roads.  His research and his practice both focus on the inclusion of students with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.  Over the period of his Ph.D. Frederic held the position of Director of the Office for Students with Disabilities at McGill University; his work has, as a result, become considerably informed by Disability Studies.  Over a period of 4 years he led a cross campus push for Universal Design for Learning implementation.  He was the instigator and Program Chair of all three Pan-Canadian Conferences on UDL.

This event will be live-streamed via Virtual Ability Inc.'s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCecFbqrNpnAbfaEohz8HIhQ/live.