5: UDL-informed Communication Design

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How can we create inclusive learning communication in digital spaces? What are the ways to ensure equitable learning opportunities and quality communication for all people with different abilities?

Learning communication in digital space.

The purpose of learning communication is to share information – suggestions, ideas, results – to improve learning and develop skills. It is used in various settings, including traditional classrooms, workshops, and digital spaces. Learning communication needs to be inclusive: organized through thoughtful design, allowing all students with different abilities, to engage fully and demonstrate their knowledge and skills. The quality of learning communication design depends on how well learners can access and use the activities, resources, and tools provided. It should support differently-abled learners, include everyone, and create an environment where every learner feels valued and empowered.

What makes digital learning communication inclusive?

In a democratic education framework, which prioritizes equal opportunities and embraces diversity, it is crucial to ensure that all learners can actively participate and express their knowledge and skills, to participate fully and demonstrate their unique strengths. By applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, we can create a supportive and equitable educational experience where all learners feel included in meaningful learning.

Illustration attribution: People illustrations by Storyset

Practice:

Conceptual knowledge: interactive quiz.

Practical skills: design a discussion forum and publish it for open access.

Option 1:

1. Think about a digital educational setting you engage with, be it one you teach or one where you learn.
2. In your example identify a learning communication activity.
3. Review the activity and identify the factors that make this communication inclusive, as well as the factors that may create barriers to effective communication for people with different abilities.

Option 2:

Select a discussion topic.
Set up a digital space,and write the activity description. Consider the discussion time-frame and format (synchronous or asynchronous). Use standalone open-access discussion platforms like Piazza, Padlet, or Mattermost, or Google Suite (Google Classroom and Google Docs).
Using UDL principles provide the discussion participants with multiple options. Consider multiple means of
- Representation: provide discussion materials in various formats (e.g., text, video, audio) to cater to different learning needs.
- Engagement: offer different ways for participants to engage in the discussion, such as posting comments, creating multimedia responses, or participating in live chats.
- Action / Expression: allow participants to express their understanding and contributions through various formats, such as written posts, video responses, or visual mind maps.
Share the URL of your digital communication space. Include your reflections on how well your communication activity supports differently-abled learners. Add your message as a comment to this page.

Examples

Tips for designing inclusive learning communication in digital spaces.

Discussions, Peer-Reviews and Polls (in real-time and asynchronous) – the digital spaces, where instructors and students, share insights and digital objects. These can be facilitated by an instructor, or non-moderated. To design respectful and inclusive learning communication use the following tips:

write clear guidelines for respectful dialogue and encourage a diversity social and cultural viewpoints;
offer digital materials in various formats, provide alt descriptions for graphic objects, use accessible color pallets and readable fonts;
moderate discussions to keep a positive learning space by deleting rude comments, warning disruptive users, and setting clear rules for respectful behavior;
give differently-abled learners different ways to show what they know and give feedback, like using video presentations instead of written reports, having oral exams, and using visual aids like mind maps.

Collaborative Projects – the digital spaces, where the groups of learners can work collaboratively developing projects, and sharing ideas. To accommodate differently-abled collaborators use the following tips:

assign specific roles, encourage mutual assistance and monitor progress to ensure that all participants can contribute meaningfully, regardless of individual abilities;
offer various communication options (text, video, audio) to suit different preferences and needs, so everyone can pick the method that works best for them and the group;

Interactive Quizzes: offer participants ample practice opportunities before testing their knowledge. using interactive exercises with automated feedback.

Multimedia Presentations and Digital Storytelling: invite participants to use text, images, videos, and audio in their presentations to fit different abilities and creatively demonstrate what they’ve learned.

Using these design tips can help all students, regardless of their abilities, to fully participate and demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Resources:

Learn How To Build An Online Learning Community In 2025 | Disciple Disciple’s Guide to Building an Online Learning Community: a comprehensive guide on creating a thriving online learning community, collaboration, and interactive learning.
Communication Tools and Strategies | Communications Resources and Templates | Communication Tools – Knowledge Management and Communication eCampusOntario’s Communication Tools and Strategies: shares descriptions of communication tools, including collaborative documents and team communication platforms.
Toolkit for Trust: Strategies for Better Online Communication – MediaWell MediaWell’s Toolkit for Trust: Strategies for engaging in trust-building conversations online, especially on complex or contentious topics.