
Strategically aligned to UCT’s Vision 2030, the Redesigning Blended Courses Project aims to assist the Teaching and Learning community at UCT to develop learning pathways that effectively integrate on-campus and online modes (Blended Learning).
Applying the three principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the approach focuses on designing inclusive digitally-enabled education that:
- Provide multiple means of Representation: present information and content in different ways
- Provide multiple means for Action and Expression: differentiate the ways that students can express what they know
- Provide multiple means of Engagement: stimulate interest and motivation for learning
This approach enables students with diverse learning needs to become expert learners that are able to differentiate ways to express the knowledge they’ve gained, as well as deepen their engagement and interest in the world around them.
Acknowledgement/Funding Support
The promotion of inclusive digitally-enabled education through the redesign of blended courses project is a UCT Project supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) through University Capacity Development Grants (2021-2023)
The project is led by the Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CILT) and draws on expertise locally and internationally through partnering with the Including Disability in Education in Africa research unit (IDEA) for assisting with the development of flexible and locally appropriate course models.
IDEA is generating materials for advocacy promoting asset-based pedagogies and focusing on developing students as expert learners.
The Disability Services Unit also sits on the project committee and offers advice and resources on the accessibility considerations in technology for students with disabilities.
The project aims to make use of existing resources, to develop support for teaching staff in redesigning courses and promoting the use of UDL principles in a variety of blended course designs.
Project Team
Project Lead: Janet Small (Janet.Small@uct.ac.za )
UDL Training and Advocacy Coordinator: Thula Vilakati (Thula.Vilakati@uct.ac.za)
Project Manager: Tess Cartmill (Tess.Cartmill@uct.ac.za)
CILT: Lauren Butler, Widad Sirkhotte, Thomas King, Nawaal Deane
IDEA: Judith McKenzie, Chantal Samuels, Amani Karisa, Ike Nkwane
Disability Services: Denise Oldham
Meet our Ed Tech Advisors
Our Education Technology Advisors (EdTech Advisors) are a group of forward-thinking senior postgraduate students. They have been trained by CILT Learning Designers to support teaching staff to create inclusive, accessible and multi-media rich learning materials and activities, based on UDL principles, aimed at enhancing student access and inclusion.
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Abduraoaf Sandan
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Ayesha Hargey
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Kristin van Tonder
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Nthabiseng Magamola
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Kevin Abuka
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Joseph Mugauri
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Sibusiso Maneli
Resources
ENABLE framework for UDL in learning design
INCLUDE Webinar recording: UCT: Promoting UDL principles and strategies for inclusive learning
Course design quality checklist is organised into six areas: orientation, content and organisation, accessibility, engagement and community, assessment and feedback and evaluation. The checklist is underpinned by various educational frameworks, including Universal Design for Learning, constructive alignment, and UCT’s teaching and learning frameworks and policies. The purpose of this checklist is to identify elements in your course that can be included or improved upon in order to enhance students’ learning experiences.
CILT webinar recording: Emeritus Professor Vivienne Bozalek - Attuning to difference for a justice- to-come
CILT webinar recording: Dr Taskeen Adam - Approaches to designing justice orientated MOOCs
CILT webinar recording: Dr Benita Moolman - Student Engagement at the Nexus of Learning, Education and Justice Visibility and Voice
CILT webinar recording: Panel discussion lead by Benedict Leteane - The potential of UDL in dismantling academic ableism for accessibility and inclusion
UCT Teaching and Learning Conference 2022 recording: Blending with Purpose What works in Redesigning Blended Courses for Active Student Engagement
UCT Teaching and Learning Conference 2022 recording: Redesigning an inclusive education course to promote access, participation and success for all