Learner: A course member who is positioned to take an active role in their own learning process
Variability: A course member's unique profile (social identities, learning preferences, background, experiences, interests, etc.) that frame their relationships with you, your course content, and their peers.
Flexibility: Easily modified and offering choice and variation.
When we design for the average we design for no one.
Todd Rose, The Myth of Average
Jagged learner profile from The Myth of Average: Todd Rose at TEDxSonomaCounty
This talk by Todd Rose discusses the importance of understanding variability when designing learning experiences. He discusses the concept of the "jagged learner profile" in which each learner can be high, average, or low on a variety of factors.
As you watch think about....
Todd Rose: Variability Matters,from CAST, at the Cyberlearning Research Summit.
Variability is the term used to describe how unique and varied we are in how we learn. For example, no two learners activate the same pathways in the brain. As you think about the variability of the learners in your courses, it may be helpful to consider their individual "jagged" learning profile (Rose, 2016). Considering the jagged learning profile, gives us a broader way of describing the range of a learner's strengths and needs. Take a moment to review the jagged learning profile of the learner depicted in the image above. The profile depicts a range of strengths and needs. Consider how you would intentionally build flexibility into your course to support the areas of need and bolster the areas of strength?
Learner traits that can affect your students include:
This handout is available for you to fill out your "jagged" learning profile for yourself. The links for each factor go to CAST's UDL Guidelines and provides strategies for addressing that factor.
Similar but a different set of characteristics.
Commit to addressing at least ONE anticipated area of learner variability in the design of one of your courses. Making small changes uses a gradual and deliberate process and helps make what could feel like a very large undertaking more manageable.
Consider the barriers a learner may encounter in your course due to the current design. Consider how context (face to face, virtual, social distancing) impacts learner variability and magnifies or reduces barriers.
From Summer institute, 2020.
Digital Promise Learner Variability Navigator - Adult Learner
Explore learner factors critical to adult learning. See how each factor impacts learning and explore strategies that support it.
CAST (2018). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.2. Retrieved from http://udlguidelines.cast.org
Please send feedback or suggestions to:
This information, in part, was repurposed from the Summer Institute 2020 through the Center for Faculty Excellence, Ithaca College.