Vary Instructional Delivery

How we teach online is as important as what we're teaching. When we vary instructional delivery and follow the principles of UDL, we get information across in a variety of ways, addressing all learners. This can be as straightforward as reiterating concepts through varied digital media. The most successful online instruction makes use of the highly collaborative and participatory nature of new literacies.

Varying Textual Elements

Conventional text elements can vary by using different content sources, writing tone, and course activity tools:

• Textbook
• Instructor lectures: use different tones, writing modes (exposition, narrative, analysis) and strategies
• Other written texts & web resources: offering short- and long-form content by different writers presents material in different ways
• Participatory writing: blog, wiki, discussion forum, social media

Varying Visual Elements

Visual elements can vary by using simple strategies and media tools:

• Format Text: chunking text, including white space, using header hierarchies
• Include relevant images
• Use Visual Data -graphs, charts, interactive objects

Use Other Elements

• Include audio resources (podcasts, radio segments) or your own voice-overs to supplement text
• Link to videos or embed videos in your lesson
• Use interactive learning objects/assessments

Whatever your plan, there are many excellent free, ADA-compliant media resources available from your library databases and on the web. Additionally, your publisher may offer first-rate electronic or online content. Contact OL for more information on augmenting text-heavy lesson content.

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