1.5 UDL Principle 3: Multiple Means of Action & Expression
Challenge
Continue your work on the How Do You Teach? Checklist that you started earlier.
This time, complete the third (and final) section of the checklist, in order to consider the ways that you already create a learning environment in which students can demonstrate their learning in multiple ways.
What does Multiple Means of Action and Expression mean?
Multiple means of action and expression encourages students to demonstrate their learning through various forms (e.g., exams, multimedia, concept maps, papers, projects). This principle highlights executive functioning, where students apply what they learn strategically. That is, it involves finding, creating, using, and organizing information. This process can include graduated levels of support, and using tools and technology. Students may find that they are able to express themselves more proficiently in one medium than in another. It may be possible to incorporate graded assignments into a course that allow students to select alternative formats. Other opportunities for multiple means of action and expression include notetaking, in-class assignments, and feedback from different sources. In a learning environment that applies this principle, learners can act upon and express their comprehension in multiple ways.
The following short video from the Southern Illinois Professional Development Center offers an overview of this UDL principle.
What might “Multiple Means of Action and Expression” look like in the classroom?
This table provides some examples for implementing multiple means of action & expression in a postsecondary classroom. Categories are listed on the left, with ideas for implementation on the right.
Multiple Means of Action & Expression | Putting it into Practice |
---|---|
Assignments and demonstration of skills |
|
Exams |
|
Opportunities for interaction and feedback |
|
Student choice |
|
Assessment anxiety |
|
Web Resources
For more resources on how to provide multiple means of action & expression, see the guidelines and checkpoints from CAST at: Principle: Provide multiple means of Action & Expression
Reflection: One Small Step
What UDL strategies would you like to try when designing (or redesigning) your next course? Use the following questions for considering this principle in more depth as it might apply to your course (and remember – start with just one small step!).
Questions for Considering Multiple Means of Action and Expression:
- What opportunities exist to incorporate multiple means of expression in assignments?
- How might you incorporate multiple means of expression on exams?
- How might you provide more opportunities for feedback?
- What choices might you offer students regarding assignments, communication, and content delivery?
- What course design decisions can you make to mitigate student anxiety regarding assessment?