Assignments Are Like Streaming Services
Rethinking Assignment Options
Remember the days of "you have to tune in precisely at 8pm to watch your favorite show on TV"? Now we have streaming services, where you can watch your favorite show with subtitles at 2am, listen to it as an audio description during your commute, or binge-watch with commentary on your lunch break. Everyone consumes content differently – and they're all valid ways to enjoy the same great story.
So why are we still teaching like it's cable TV in 1995?
A few semesters ago I started giving students more options in their assignments. Not a complete course overhaul, just a few ‘new channels’ of learning, if you will. The results? Eye-opening.
A quiet student who rarely spoke in class, submitted a podcast instead of a paper for the final project. Her insight and creativity blew me away. In the same class, another student, who hadn’t been enthusiastic about written assignments all semester, created a visual presentation that perfectly demonstrated his understanding of key theories and concepts. Both students shined when given the chance to learn and express themselves differently.
These changes were guided by Universal Design for Learning (UDL), an approach that recognizes and celebrates the diverse ways our students learn and understand course material.
What I love most about UDL is its simplicity. When I first learned about providing multiple ways to access content, demonstrate learning, and stay engaged, it seemed daunting. But by starting small, I've gradually UDL'd almost all my assignments and even some assessments!
Take my standard midterm paper, for example. Instead of the usual "write five to seven pages," I offered options: a traditional paper, a video explanation, or a creative project with written commentary. The impact was immediate. Students engaged with the material in ways that made the most sense to them. One of my students even designed an infographic connecting course theories to his retail management job. Not only did he master the concepts, but he also created something practical for his workplace. UDL isn't just about accommodation; it's about empowerment.
Before Your Next Class:
Feeling overwhelmed? I get it – I was too. Just like you probably didn't binge-watch an entire series last night (no judgment if you did!), you don't have to transform your whole course at once. Start with one episode – er, assignment – and see what happens. Sometimes, the smallest tweaks make the biggest difference. What's one small UDL change you could try this week?
Share this with that professor whose assignment menu is longer than your watchlist, and SUBSCRIBE for bite-sized strategies delivered straight to your inbox. We're in this semester together.
