Universal design for learning and its benefits to society.

Growing up, our education journey begins at an early age, whether that be preschool or kindergarten it counts as “education” one way or the other. We’ve been taught by the school system that after elementary school, we would go on to middle school and high school. Then after that, we would pursue “higher education” and be released into the real world where we will work for the next while of our lives.

Historically, education has been a linear journey, with the end goal of securing employment in the workforce. With a growing disconnect between academic qualifications and the realities of the job market, education is no longer a guaranteed ticket to employment.

Our traditional education journey often focuses on standardized systems and achievement metrics (GPA) rather than empowering diverse learners. Yet the world we are preparing students for is rapidly changing.

A survey conducted by Resumebuilder.com,

found that nearly 1/3 of recent college graduates are working jobs that don’t require a college education.

Why might that be?

Rethinking education also means asking, what does it mean to each unique user? A user-centric approach, grounded in principles like Universal Design for Learning (UDL), prioritizes flexibility and inclusion tailored to different needs. It provides multiple means of engagement to intrinsically motivate learners, not force them down rigid paths.

How might we design education so that it is an enjoyable and beneficial experience?

This article will explore how implementing UDL in schools can create more inclusive, effective educational systems, and examine its potential societal…