Implementation Research
The ACCESS Project has been working closely with instructors at Colorado State University (CSU) who teach some of our large (n≥250 students per section) “gateway” courses that are required of most students. In these targeted courses, student retention and/or numbers of D or F grades are troubling. We have gathered preliminary data during the ’07 spring semester via instructor and student questionnaires as to the level of UDL implementation that is currently occurring in these courses. Based on analysis of these data, instructors of these courses will be implementing UDL in their sections in the 07-08 fall and spring semesters.
During the UDL implementation phase, further pre and post data will be collected from students and instructors to measure perceptions of increased access to course content, as well as increased opportunities for engagement and representation. At the end of each semester, data will be reviewed regarding student outcomes, demographics of enrolled students to determine numbers of students with and without disabilities, and comparisons of final student grades and course perceptions before and after UDL implementation. Research results will drive further UDL implementation efforts at CSU, as well as at universities across the nation through publication and dissemination efforts.