14 Ludia – Exploring UDL with AI

Facilitator:
Celina Costa (she/her)

Session Type: Presentation and Interactive Mini-Workshop
Conference: EvolvED 2024
Session Block: Concurrent Sessions, Block 2
Format: In-person and online (20 minutes)

Session Overview

This session introduced LUDIA, an artificial intelligence–powered chatbot designed to support educators in implementing the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. Developed by Beth Stark and Jérémie Rostan, LUDIA combines natural language processing with evidence-based UDL principles to provide educators with on-demand guidance for reducing learning barriers and designing more inclusive instruction.

Framed as a practical support tool rather than a replacement for pedagogical expertise, the session highlighted how LUDIA can function as a 24-hour UDL partner, helping educators reflect on instructional choices and align teaching practices with accessibility and inclusivity goals.

Session Focus

The session focused on:

  • Understanding what LUDIA is and how it was developed.

  • Exploring how AI can support UDL implementation responsibly.

  • Using LUDIA to identify and reduce learning barriers.

  • Applying UDL principles within specific teaching contexts.

  • Supporting inclusive course design without increasing workload.

Participants were encouraged to consider how AI tools can scaffold instructional design while preserving educator judgement and pedagogical intent.

Exploring LUDIA as a UDL Partner

LUDIA was presented as a user-friendly, multilingual chatbot trained exclusively on CAST UDL materials and hosted on the POE platform. The session emphasized that LUDIA does not require complex prompting and can be accessed via browser or mobile application.

Key features discussed included:

  • Support for multiple modes of interaction, including text and voice input.

  • The ability to upload instructional materials for analysis.

  • Guidance aligned with UDL Guidelines 3.0.

  • Free, ongoing access.

The session framed LUDIA as a scaffold for cultivating a UDL mindset rather than a prescriptive solution.

Session Engagement

Despite the short format, the session was highly interactive. Participants engaged in a live demonstration and hands-on practice using LUDIA to address real instructional challenges. A practical framework referred to as the “4 Ts” guided participant interaction:

  • Tell: Prompt LUDIA with a teaching challenge or question

  • Tinker: Explore and compare suggested strategies

  • Tweak: Refine prompts and evaluate outputs

  • Transfer: Apply insights to participants’ own teaching contexts

Participants practiced using LUDIA to generate ideas for scaffolding learning, fostering collaboration, supporting academic integrity, and designing accessible activities.

About the Facilitator

Celina Costa is an educator in the School of ESL at George Brown Polytechnic. Her teaching practice focuses on inclusive pedagogy, UDL implementation, and supporting diverse learner populations. She brings expertise in instructional design and educator development, with a strong interest in how emerging technologies can support accessibility and reduce barriers to learning.

Session Materials

License

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EvolvED 2024: Teaching and Learning Exchange Conference Proceedings Copyright © 2024 by Teaching and Learning Exchange (TLX), George Brown Polytechnic is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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