Enhancing Engagement Through UDL: Audio Submissions and Service-Learning Journals

Sara will share innovative strategies for designing UDL-aligned reflection and journaling experiences that drive authentic student participation. She will explain how audio and video submissions expand access for students who struggle with traditional academic writing, while strengthening learning by prompting them to think aloud and articulate understanding in their own voices. Sara will also demonstrate rapport-building methods—including an early video introduction activity to quickly learn student names—and unpack a high-impact, month-long interactive journaling and service-learning assignment that increased peer engagement and reduced instructor feedback burden. Attendees will walk away with practical, scalable approaches backed by real classroom examples and clear pedagogical rationale for creating accessible, meaningful, and learner-centered reflection activities.