Universal design for learning as a basis for curriculum development: A multi-level approach by the research project "Barrierfree dEsign foR Teaching and Learning" (BERTL)

• Published in: Current directions in biomedical engineering 2023-12, Vol.9 (2), p.9-11
• Main Authors: Nemec, Iris, Langer, Sarah, Balz, Andrea
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2364-5504; 2364-5504
• DOI: 10.1515/cdbme-2023-1203

The project "Barrierfree dEsign foR Teaching and Learning" (BERTL) aims to identify and reduce barriers in teaching, with a focus on Universal Design or Design for All. BERTL includes an analysis of the situation at the University, to identify barriers faced by people with disabilities, chronic diseases, and in different life situations The BERTL Simulation Lab and Toolbox will be developed based on the analysis to help identify and eliminate barriers in their courses, and the continuing education program. In the different phases of the project, pilot courses with different didactic concepts are analyzed, checked for barriers in teaching materials and course procedures also peer feedbacks are conducted. These results will be used to improve and expand the courses of the University Applied Science and the used didactic principles. Establishing a handbook and a training series at the University is also aim of this project as practice collection and sample courses to support lecturers. The project results will be used in teaching and made publicly available.