UDL and PBL: A Winning Combination for Unlocking Student Potential

What do a greenhouse, a cooking class, and a cup of coffee have in common? They are all creative examples of how teachers use the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and Project-Based Learning (PBL) at HTS to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Both UDL and PBL are powerful frameworks rooted in inclusivity and engagement. UDL ensures that learning is accessible to all, accommodating diverse needs and offering multiple pathways for success. Meanwhile, PBL immerses students in real-world tasks that are student-centered, authentic, and collaborative. Together, they create learning environments where creativity flourishes and every learner has a chance to succeed. Here are some examples of UDL and PBL in action at HTS:

Greenhouse and garden activities

These provide hands-on exploration in biology, engaging students through UDL by offering multiple ways of learning and expressing knowledge. As a PBL project, they allow students to apply biology concepts in a real-world context, fostering authentic connections.

Cooking classes reinforcing chemistry

Cooking naturally reinforces concepts of math, fractions, and measurements, integrating them into hands-on activities that deepen understanding. By leveraging UDL principles, cooking introduces multisensory learning, making abstract chemistry lessons accessible and engaging. Under the PBL lens, it transforms into a practical project that bridges theory with real world everyday life (and creates delicious outcomes!).

Coffee cart for math skills

This activity exemplifies UDL by embedding practical applications of mathematics in a way that accommodates diverse learners. As a PBL initiative, it’s a hands-on project that combines entrepreneurship, teamwork, and applied/functional math skills in a meaningful way.

Recent research supports the efficacy of UDL, showing that it benefits all students, not just those with disabilities. By designing projects like these, teachers make the classroom more accessible, inclusive and impactful for everyone. When UDL and PBL intersect, they unlock students’ potential in truly transformative ways.

To learn more about what we do at Hope Technology School, visit our website at hopetechschool.org.

Sources:

The effectiveness of universal design for learning: A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis (Qais et al., 2023)

Project Based Learning & Student Achievement: What Does the Research Tell Us? (Buck Institute for Education)