trategies of Universal Design for Learning in primary education: a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55777/rea.v18i36.7992Keywords:
Design for Learning (UDL), primary education, educational inclusion, teaching strategies, educationAbstract
This article presents a systematic review of strategies based on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in primary education. The main objective was to identify, analyze, and synthesize the existing scientific evidence, focusing on its impact on student inclusion and learning. This synthesis is especially relevant in the current context, where educational systems must provide effective, equitable, and sustainable responses to student diversity through a preventive rather than compensatory approach. The methodology followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and involved searches in databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Dialnet. After applying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, six articles were selected for analysis. The results reveal a notable increase in scientific production on UDL strategies in primary education in recent years, with most publications appearing in 2024. The selected studies are primarily qualitative or mixed-methods, with a strong focus on teacher training and practical implementation. The most prominent strategies include the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and cooperative learning. These approaches have shown positive effects on student inclusion, motivation, and academic performance. In conclusion, this review contributes to guiding teaching practices, supporting teacher professional development, and promoting inclusive educational policies grounded in scientific evidence.
Downloads
References
Aguilar Tinoco, R. J., Carvallo Lobato, M. F., Román Camacho, D. E., Liberio Anzules, A. M., Hernández Centeno, J. A., Duran Fajardo, T. B., y Bernal Parraga, A. P. (2024). El Impacto del Diseño Universal para el Aprendizaje (DUA) en la Enseñanza de Ciencias Naturales: Un Enfoque Inclusivo y Personalizado. Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar, 8(5), 2162-2178. https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v8i5.13682
Akintayo, O., Eden, C., Ayeni, O., y Onyebuchi, N. (2024). Inclusive curriculum design: Meeting the diverse needs of students for social improvement. International Journal of Frontiers in Science and Technology Research, 06 (02), 050-059. https://doi.org/10.53294/ijfstr.2024.6.2.0037
Alam, G.M. y Sulaiman, T. (2022). Supporting youths to continue further education in emerging nations: food for education intervention or education for food policy? British Food Journal, 124(3), 853-870. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-05-2021-0552
Alba Pastor, C. (2019). Diseño Universal para el Aprendizaje: Educación para todos y prácticas de enseñanza inclusivas. Morata.
Alba Pastor, C. (2022). Enseñar pensando en todos los estudiantes: el modelo de diseño universal para el aprendizaje (DUA). Ediciones SM.
Almeqdad, Q. I., Alodat, A. M., Alquraan, M. F., Mohaidat, M. A., y Al-Makhzoomy, A. K. (2023). The effectiveness of universal design for learning: A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. Cogent Education, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2023.2218191
Area Moreira, M., y Adell Segura, J. (2020). Tecnologías digitales y cambio educativo. Una relación compleja. Revista de Educación a Distancia (RED), 20(63). https://doi.org/10.6018/red.410121
Boysen, G. (2024). A critical analysis of the research evidence behind CAST’s universal design for learning guidelines. Policy Futures in Education, 22 (7) https://doi.org/10.1177/14782103241255428
Capp, M. J. (2017). The effectiveness of universal design for learning: a meta-analysis of literature between 2013 and 2016. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 21(8), 791–807. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2017.1325074
CAST. (2018). Universal Design for Learning. Recuperado el 26 marzo de 2025 de http://goo.gl/i3HFie
Choi, T.-H. y Chiu, M.M. (2021). Toward equitable education in the context of a pandemic: supporting linguistic minority students during remote learning. International Journal of Comparative Education and Development,23(1),14-22. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCED-10-2020-0065
Durán-Martínez, R. y Martín-Pastor, E. (2023). Bilingual Education and Attention to Diversity: Key Issues in Primary Education Teacher Training in Spain. En J. Estrada Chichón y F. Zayas Martínez. Handbook of Research on Training Teachers for Bilingual Education in Primary Schools (pp. 155-185). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-6179-2.ch008
Duterte, J. (2024). The Impact of Educational Gamification on Student Learning Outcomes. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, VIII (X), 477-487. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2024.8100040
*Falcón-Roldán, R. (2021). Análisis de la presencia de estrategias de atención a la diversidad basadas en el Modelo de Diseño Universal para el Aprendizaje en las Guías Docentes de la Formación Inicial del Profesorado Andaluz. En IX Congreso Internacional Multidisciplinar de Investigación Educativa 1 y 2 de Julio 2021: Libro de actas CIMIE21 (pp. 1-11). Ediciones de la Universidad de Lérida.
Fan, Y. (2024). Review on the Application of Universal Design for Learning in Classroom Instruction. Journal of Advocacy, Research and Education 11(3), 392-399. https://doi.org/10.13187/jare.2024.3.392
Flood, M., y Banks, J. (2021). Universal Design for Learning: Is It Gaining Momentum in Irish Education? Education Sciences, 11(7), 341. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci1107034
Fovet, F. (2020). Integrating Universal Design for Learning in Schools: Implications for Teacher Training, Leadership and Professional Development. Innovations in Educational Leadership and Continuous Teachers’ Professional Development, 295–318. https://doi.org/10.46679/isbn978819484832513
Fuentes, S. S. (2023). El Diseño Universal para el Aprendizaje: Guia práctica para el profesorado (Vol. 236). Narcea Ediciones.
Gallagher A.L., Murphy R, Fitzgerald J, Murphy C.A., Law J (2023) Exploring the acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of a communication-friendly classroom tool for use in Irish schools: A qualitative inquiry. Plos One 18(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287471
Kapil, Y., Sujathamalini, J., y Halder, T. (2024). Universal design for learning (udl) in the classroom. Paripex indian journal of research. https://doi.org/10.36106/paripex/1708785.
Lampropoulos, G. (2025). Combining Artificial Intelligence with Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Education: Current Trends and Future Perspectives. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti9020011.
Luengo-Mai, D., Zárate-Jiménez, J., Rodríguez-Luengo, M., y Niklander-Ebensperger, S. (2024). Uso del Diseño Universal para el Aprendizaje para Mejorar la Práctica Docente y la Motivación de los Estudiantes en Anatomía: Una Propuesta de Intervención. International Journal of Morphology, 42(2), 308-316.
Martín, M. S., Mateu, F. N., y Meca, J. S. (2022). Las revisiones sistemáticas y la educación basada en evidencias. Espiral. Cuadernos del profesorado, 15(30), 108-120.
McKenzie, J. A., y Dalton, E. M. (2020). Universal design for learning in inclusive education policy in South Africa. African Journal of Disability, 9. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v9i0.776
Melero, M. L. (2021). Educación inclusiva, neoliberalismo y deshumanización de la sociedad. En: Álvarez et al, 2021. Espacios y Tiempos de Emancipación. Círculos Pedagógicos.
Moya Díaz, I., Hossein Mohand, H., Hossein Hossein, M. y Redondo Trujillo, V. (2023). Dificultades de aprendizaje y atención a la diversidad en la escuela. En: Galán-Casado, D., García-Pérez, M. y Ortega Navas, M. (coords.) Guía para el acompañamiento a los estudiantes de TFT Competencias, investigación y realidades sociales. Octaedro 2023. http://doi.org/10.36006/09562-1
Muñoz-Alonso López, G. (2015). Hacia una nueva manera de investigar en Humanidades: recopilar, organizar y dar formato a través de un gestor bibliográfico. Educación y futuro: revista de investigación aplicada y experiencias educativas, 33, 111-141
Muñoz-López, T., Ayala-García, J., Sánchez-Rivera, L., y Espericueta-Medina, M. N. (2022). Universal Learning Design (ULD) and instructional strategies for inclusion. Journal Colombia, 18–27. Internet Archive. https://doi.org/10.35429/ejc.2022.14.8.18.27
*Namusoke, E., y Rukundo, A. (2022). Trabajo en grupo: efecto del método de aprendizaje cooperativo en el rendimiento académico en lengua inglesa entre los alumnos de las escuelas de Educación Primaria Universal en Kashari, Uganda. Cogent Education, 9 (1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2147774
*Navarro Montaño, M.J., Piñero-Virué, R., Jiménez Navarro, P., y Mateo Navarro, V. (2022). Participatory Methodologies in Teacher Training: Analysis of Active and Collaborative Teaching Strategies. Revista latinoamericana de educación inclusiva, 16(2), 53-70. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-73782022000200053
Navarro Montaño, M.J., Piñero-Virué, R., Jiménez Navarro, P., & Mateo Navarro, V. (2022). Estrategias didácticas con TIC en la formación del profesorado de Educación Primaria. Ciencia y Educación, 6(3), 21–33. https://doi.org/10.22206/cyed.2022.v6i3.pp21-33
Oncins, E. (2022). YoungArcHers: Nuevas narrativas digitales inclusivas y accesibles sobre patrimonio cultural en el contexto educativo. En libro de actas: II Congreso Internacional de Museos y Estrategias Digitales. UPV, Valencia, 19- 28 de octubre de 2022. https://doi.org/10.4995/CIMED22.2022.15008
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., y Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Plos Medicine, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003583
*Pérez Hernández, M., Romero Ruiz, C., Ivy, C., y Gómez, H. (2024). Cluedo: una experiencia a través de la Gamificación. En Puig Gutiérrez, M., García González, A.J., Guijarro Cordobés, O. y Carrillo Cabeza, M. (Coords.). Descubriendo nuevos horizontes en innovación educativa. España: Dykinson.
Priyadharsini, V., Scholar, R., y Sahaya, R. (2024). Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Inclusive Education: Accelerating Learning for All. Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities, 11 (4), 145-150. https://doi.org/10.34293/sijash.v11i4.7489
Putimasurai, P., Angraini, D., y Abrar, M. (2024). Integrating Project-Based Collaborative Learning into English Classroom: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Education, 3 (2), 124-139. https://doi.org/10.59175/pijed.v3i2.295
Rao, K., Gravel, J. W., Rose, D. H., y Tucker-Smith, T. N. (2023). Universal Design for Learning in its 3rd decade: A focus on equity, inclusion, and design. International encyclopedia of education, 6, 712-720. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-818630-5.14079-5
Ramos, D., De Sousa Araújo, F., Rancan, G., Júnior, H., y De Bona, M. (2024). Gamification and motivation in learning. Revista Científica Multidisciplinar O Saber, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i1.2024.486.
Ródenas Ríos, J.A. y Suárez Caballero, J. (2023). La gamificación como propuesta metodológica inclusiva en el aula de Matemáticas. Revista de Educación, Innovación y Formación, 8, 10-23. http://hdl.handle.net/10201/131104
*Rockwell, R. (2024). Navigating transition: Developing an instructional coaching rubric and UDL-infused training for seasoned reading and dyslexia teachers in online education. International Journal on Studies in Education, 6(3), 387-412. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonse.223
Ruge, Wilman Leonid, Bernal, Yeny Paola, León, Jhon Ricardo, Meza, Marly Viviana, Rangel, Juan Felipe, y Tonk, Anthony. (2024). Inclusive Education in Colombia: The impact of the school newspaper in a Primary School through Action Research. Revista de estudios y experiencias en educación, 23(52), 78-103. https://dx.doi.org/10.21703/rexe.v23i52.2324
Ruiz-Andrés, R. (2020). Dificultades y contradicciones en la respuesta educativa para los alumnos con necesidad específica de apoyo educativo (ACNEAE). Aula, 26, 149–168. https://doi.org/10.14201/aula202026149168
Sánchez Serrano, J. M. (2021). El Diseño Universal para el Aprendizaje (DUA) como herramienta para la inclusión educativa. Revista Nacional e Internacional de Educación Inclusiva, 14(1), 45-60.
Sappaile, B., Xu, S., Oci, M., Xavier, M., y Halim, C. (2024). The Influence of Gamification Techniques on Students’ Learning Performance and Motivation in Learning: An Experimental Study. Journal Neosantara Hybrid Learning, 2 (1), 394-408. https://doi.org/10.55849/jnhl.v2i1.935
Wai-Wan Choy, S., y Mc Guckin, C. (2023). A new school-based play approach for young children’s wellbeing: evidence from a 14-week study. Irish Educational Studies, 42(4), 635–657. https://doi.org/10.1080/03323315.2023.2261440
Wiramarta, K., y Paragae, I. (2024). Reverting or progressing: the dillema of higher education english instruction in a heteregenous classroom. International Journal of Instructions and Language Studies, 2(1), 34-43. https://doi.org/10.25078/ijils.v2i1.3653
Wulan, D., Nainggolan, D., Hidayat, Y., Rohman, T., y Fiyul, A. (2024). Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Gamification in Enhancing Student Learning Outcomes. Global International Journal of Innovative Research. https://doi.org/10.59613/global.v2i7.238
Yepes-Nunez, J. J., Urrutia, G., Romero-Garcia, M., y Alonso-Fernandez, S. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Revista Espanola de Cardiologia, 74(9), 790-799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2021.06.016
Zheng, L., Jiahui, W., Yikang, L., y Chuan-Peng, H. (2023). The effectiveness of self: A meta-analysis of using self-referential encoding techniques in education. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 94(1), 112-137. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12636

Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
By submitting the original, the author(s) declare that they are aware of and accept, in full, the privacy policy as well as the copyright of the Learning Styles Magazine.
The Learning Styles Magazine offers free and open access to its content, completely free of charge, in order to bring scientific research to its readers and society in general. All digital contents are free and open access and are published under a Creative Commons license:
Rights are granted under the Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-SinObraDerivada 4.0 Internacional (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0)
The Learning Styles Magazine is an open access journal. Publication of articles or reviews in the Journal does not entitle you to any remuneration. For authors as well as readers, the journal is free Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-SinObraDerivada 4.0 Internacional (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0).
With this licence, the reproduction and dissemination of the contents of the magazine for educational, social and knowledge transmission purposes is permitted, without any profit motive in mind, provided that the source and authorship are not modified. The licence granted to Learning Styles Magazine allows the copying and distribution of the magazine's contents, as long as the authorship of the work is recognised, correctly specifying the author and the publishing entity. The work may not be used for commercial purposes, nor may it be altered, transformed or generated from this work.
The publication of articles or reviews in the Journal does not give the right to any remuneration.
The Learning Styles Journal invites the author/authors to increase the visibility and scope of their articles published by re-disseminating them in:
- Web spaces and personal networks, as well as in scientific meetings and forums
- Open institutional archives in Universities, educational repositories and Research Centres.
- Academic and scientific networks (Researchgate, Academia.edu, Plubons, etc.)
All these spaces and publications must include all the bibliographic data of the publication.