Ripples. Five years of Flexible Learning at the University of Oslo

Universal design for learning with the aid of ICT
Simple steps to more accessible education

Brynjulv Norheim

Summary

In this paper, we will present how we can use the concept “universal design” to take simple steps to make lectures on regular courses more accessible to students with various disabilities. A key premise for the project was to step beyond the well-defined groups of disabilities to include persons who are on their way into reduced functional ability or into other situations that have an impact on their ability to attend lectures. In the first part of the article we discuss possible approaches to this work in terms of knowledge theory and educational theory, and following a short overview of the project implementation in part 2, we will give a closer presentation of two of these, consisting of a digitalization of the syllabus and distribution of audio files from lectures (podcasts) as instruments used to strengthen student participation. The response from the students has been strongly positive during the entire project period, while the lecturers have given a more mixed response. Important legal and practical considerations remain before this can become a regular element of the study programme.

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