Using Generative AI to Implement UDL Principles in Traditional STEM Classrooms

This innovative practice full paper presents a guided approach to integrating universal design for learning (UDL) principles into an Explicit Instruction classroom. To address the common challenges of scope and additional time requirements of integrating UDL, we are using generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools like ChatGPT because they have reached a level of functionality that allows a GAI tool to replace multiple specialized tools. This paper provides specific guidelines of where UDL interventions can be included in an explicit instruction lesson and how to use GAI to support them. This paper has multiple goals. First, we are focused on an approach that can help embed modern, best practices in traditional, higher ed STEM classes that use an approach that is typically close to the explicit instruction model. Second, we want to show how GAI can be used to implement UDL principles in classes in a way that does not require much additional instructor time and can help UDL adoption scale to larger classes. Example GAI prompts and “real” responses are provided for those who are unfamiliar with GAI tools, in order to help demonstrate the capabilities of the tools.