Universal design in online education: A systematic review

Abstract

As online learners are increasingly diverse, making online learning more inclusive becomes an urgent need. Universal design has been perceived as a viable framework to reach the widest possible range of learners. However, applying universal design to online education has been a challenge to instructors due to different barriers. It is also unclear what evidence-based strategies can be infused into online education. In this systematic review, we selected and analyzed relevant studies and synthesized their designs and findings to explore the trends, strategies, impacts, challenges, and instructors’ and students’ attitudes toward applying universal design in online environments. We discuss implications for research and practice.

Keywords:

• universal design
• universal design for learning (UDL)
• universal instructional design (UID)
• universal design for instruction (UDI)
• online learning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was declared by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mohan Yang

Mohan Yang is an assistant professor in the Workforce and Organizational Development program at Old Dominion University. His research interests include integrating emerging technologies into training and teaching, transfer of training, authentic learning, universal and accessible design, and online learning.

Mohammad Shams Ud Duha

Mohammad Shams Ud Duha is a doctoral candidate in learning design and technology at Purdue University. His research interests are online learning environments, social media in education, microlearning, and universal design for learning. He is the president of the Graduate Student Assembly of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.

Breanne A. Kirsch

Breanne A. Kirsch is the associate provost for the Library and Information Technology at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. She is a PhD candidate in instructional design and technology at Old Dominion University. Her research focus is on universal design for learning in higher education.

Noah Glaser

Noah Glaser is an assistant professor at University of Missouri’s School of Information Science & Learning Technologies. He is the director of the Information Experience Lab. Noah primarily conducts design research to create learning interventions that use innovative technologies such as virtual reality, video games, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence.

Helen Crompton

Helen Crompton is the executive director of the Research Institute of Digital Innovation in Learning at ODUGlobal and professor of instructional technology at Old Dominion University

Tian Luo

Tian Luo is an associate professor of instructional design and technology at Old Dominion University. She currently serves as an editor-in-chief for Journal of Information Technology Education: Research. Her research interests center on designing and integrating social media and various forms of emerging technologies to support teaching and learning.