Design, Redesign, and Continuous Refinement of an Online Graduate Course: A Case Study for Implementing Universal Design for Learning

Abstract

This paper explains how a graduate online course has been designed, redesigned and continuously refined in the last decade, applying the Quality Matters (QM) Framework and Universal Design for Learning Principles (UDL). To improve the course design, the course designers and instructors are engaged in a reflective process of examining relevant factors, including external contexts that demanded changes in the course, the course’s existing features, learner characteristics and needs, and the nature and requirements of the course content, activities, assessments. The paper provides detailed descriptions of the design process, as well as the modifications and changes made for the course over years and demonstrates how the design features adheres to the UDL principles.