Although it is important to verify the explored possibilities of Universal Design principles in real educational environments, most of the previous studies regarding Universal Design for Learning have focused on exploring its basic concepts and princi...
Although it is important to verify the explored possibilities of Universal Design principles in real educational environments, most of the previous studies regarding Universal Design for Learning have focused on exploring its basic concepts and principles rather than empirical investigation. In addition, consideration of learners’ previous academic performance level and learning styles is also important to provide effective and meaning learning experiences through Universal Design. Therefore, this study attempts to investigate the effects of Universal Design for Learning on learners’ academic achievements and learning interests while considering learners’ previous level of academic achievement and their learning styles.
For this study, 79 middle school students were recruited from Y middle school located in Gyeonggi-do. The participated students were divided into experimental group and control group which was consisted of 39 and 40 students respectively. The experimental group was taught by Universal Design for Learning and the control group was done by normal instruction. An identical music teacher was involved in the lesson of each group and the provided contents were same. Based on their previous test scores, the participants were categorized into two levels of academic achievements; high and low. Additionally, learners' learning style was categorized into four dimensions; accommodator, diverger, converger, and assimilator. Learners' learning style was assessed using Kolb's learning styles model. Learners' academic achievements were measured by post-test, and their learning interests were evaluated by 20 question regarding music in subject-specific interests inventory.
The results are as follows. First, Universal Design for Learning had effects on academic achievements. However, learning interests had no differences. This showed that Universal Design for Learning could improve learners' academic achievements. Second, Universal Design for Learning had no effects on academic achievements according to different academic performance level. However, learning interests were influenced by academic performance level. This indicated that Universal Design for Learning could have positively influence on learners' academic achievements regardless of their academic performance level. Third, Universal Design for Learning had no effects on academic achievements and learning interests according to different learning styles. This meant that Universal Design for Learning could have positively influence on learners' academic achievements and learning interests regardless of their learning styles.
In conclusion, Universal Design for Learning can help for learners to improve their academic achievement regardless of learners' academic performance level and learning styles. Therefore, it is necessary to explore more diverse factors including learners' characteristics, instructional methods, and support systems in order to apply Universal Design for Learning in school settings through further empirical studies.