Universal Design for Learning: Guidelines and Strategies

An in-depth look at each of the UDL principles and their application in the classroom

This course is offered free to Co-op members. Click here to request an access code.

Not a Co-op member? Membership is open to DC Charter Schools. Join now!

This course was designed to provide teachers and school leaders with an in-depth understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, guidelines, and strategies. UDL is an inclusive framework that applies pedagogical approaches that maximize learning opportunities for all, supporting the development of students who are strategic, engaged, and motivated. This course is a companion to our Introduction to UDL mini-course and will dive into each of the three principles and how they can be applied to instructional planning.

The course introduces each of the three UDL principles, Multiple Means of Engagement, Multiple Means of Representation, and Multiple Means of Action and Expression, along with accompanying guidelines and strategies that can be implemented in classrooms and virtual settings. The last session of the course includes practical tools and resources that teachers and school leaders can use to begin on their UDL journey, toward the goal of continuous improvement in making learning more engaging and accessible for all students, regardless of their learning differences.

This course is self-paced and takes approximately 2.5 - 3 hours to complete.


Your Instructor


Golnar Abedin, Ph.D.
Golnar Abedin, Ph.D.

Golnar Abedin completed her doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership and Education Policy at the University of Maryland, her master’s degree in special education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Rutgers University.

Dr. Abedin began her professional career as a special education teacher in New York City public schools. In 2011, she founded Creative Minds International PCS, with the goal of providing a high-quality, inclusive, international, and arts-based public school option for students in Washington, D.C. She designed the School program and curriculum based on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, in order to support all students, including those with disabilities, maximize their learning potential. As the Head of School, she led Creative Minds PCS from 2012-2019, growing the program to serve students from preschool through middle school.

Dr. Abedin currently works as an inclusive education consultant and clinical faculty member at Johns Hopkins University, School of Education/Urban Teachers program. She applies her expertise to support teachers, school leaders, and organizations that are improving educational opportunities for underserved students.



Course Curriculum


  Review: Universal Design for Learning
Available in days
days after you enroll
  What's Next? Resources and Tools for Implementation
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course is completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish, unless your LEA has set a deadline for completion.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for the school year.
This course is supposed to be free for my LEA. How do I get a coupon code?
Our online courses are free for Co-op member schools. If you would like to access the course, contact your special education director or other school administrator. They can request coupon codes for staff.
How is this course different from the Co-op's intro to UDL course?
This course builds on the content from our intro course by looking at each of the UDL guidelines in-depth and breaking them down to explain how they can be applied in the classroom. Taught by different instructors, both with years of experience in education, these two courses compliment each other. If you're brand new to UDL, we suggest starting with the intro course.

This course is closed for enrollment.