Transparent, inclusive, and intentional course design is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s essential. As university classrooms become more diverse and student needs more complex, educators must move beyond reactive fixes to proactively designing for inclusion from the start. The Proactive Design Intensive (PDI) was created to do just that: empower academics to innovate with purpose, anticipate diverse learning needs, and transform educational practices.
What Is the PDI?
The Proactive Design Intensive is a hands-on, immersive, two-to-three-day workshop led by the Educational Innovation team. Hosted in person, the PDI supports academics in (re)designing course elements to better serve all learners. It combines Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles with expert guidance, peer collaboration, and dedicated design time. The July and December 2024 PDIs we held demonstrated how intentional design leads to more effective teaching and a better student experience.
Participants bring a clear project—be it refining assessments, developing inclusive learning activities, or aligning outcomes and rubrics—and leave with actionable plans, renewed motivation, and concrete outcomes. From using AI responsibly in assessments to embedding interactive video quizzes, participants are empowered to make meaningful changes that go well beyond compliance checkboxes.
Why Design for Diversity?
Designing for diversity isn’t about creating one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s about anticipating different ways that students engage, learn, and demonstrate understanding. The PDI reframes inclusion not as a set of accommodations, but as a design strategy that benefits everyone. Participants consistently say they walk away from the PDI with a better understanding of how to meet shared learning needs across diverse student cohorts.
As one academic shared in an anonymous feedback survey,
Instead of thinking about student labels like ESL or disability, we started thinking about the learning needs that students have in common, regardless of label.
— Participant survey, 2024
By building flexibility and clarity into course design, educators reduce confusion, cognitive overload, and student disengagement, making learning more accessible and empowering for all.
Success Stories from the PDI
According to 2024 anonymous participant surveys from the July and December iterations, participants experience the PDI as transformative, not just in concept but in practice. Academics appreciated the dedicated time, the support from Educational Designers, and the immediate, tangible outcomes.
The workshop was an absolutely wonderful experience that developed not only the specific task/unit I was working on during the two days but will have significant longer-term impacts on my teaching practices.
— Participant survey, 2024
Another participant remarked on how the PDI helped reduce anxiety and provide structure:
I walked in feeling overwhelmed and unsure. I walked out with clarity, a solid plan, and real progress I could be proud of.
— Participant survey, 2024
Educational Designers echoed this sentiment, noting that the PDI format allowed for deeper, more meaningful collaboration than traditional consultations. One designer described it as “a space to ask powerful questions, and to really think through the answers in a structured, supportive environment.”
A Community of Practice
One of the most important outcomes of the PDI has been the sense of community it fosters. For example, one participant appreciated how “hear[ing] what other people’s challenges were and their solutions […] really added to the experience and learning.” Many participants continue connecting after the workshop, forming networks of support across faculties. Whether sharing ideas or troubleshooting challenges, these connections help sustain momentum and encourage continued innovation. These connections move beyond our university as the program has gained national and international recognition at UDL:Con in 2024, UDL Symposium in 2024 and 2025, and HERDSA in 2025, with other institutions adopting this approach.
What’s Next? Two Opportunities in 2025
Following the success of previous rounds, the PDI will return in 2025 with two iterations:
- July 1–2, 2025 (Camperdown campus)
- December 2-4, 2025 (Camperdown campus)
These sessions are open to educators ready to tackle a specific project and committed to shaping inclusive, intentional learning environments. Whether you’re rethinking your assessments, planning a new unit, or addressing long-standing teaching challenges, the PDI offers expert support, time, and collaborative space to do it well.
Ready to join us?
Submit your expression of interest for the July PDI or for the December PDI.
Have any questions? Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
