As U.S. college classrooms grow increasingly diverse, Spanish as a Heritage Language (SHL) courses must be intentionally designed for accessibility, inclusion, and digital readiness. This 45-minute interactive presentation showcases the redesign of course materials, Canvas modules, and policies in an SHL track using Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Open Educational Resources (OER), and critical AI literacy.
Guided by UDL, the course integrates multimodal OER, scaffolded academic literacy supports, transparent assignment design, and flexible assessment options to address heritage learners’ uneven reading and writing development. The Canvas site was streamlined for clarity and accessibility, and policies were revised to emphasize flexibility, growth, and equity.
To prepare students for a rapidly evolving world, the course also incorporates structured, ethical engagement with generative AI tools. Drawing on digital competency guidance from UNESCO, students critically evaluate AI outputs, examine linguistic bias, and use AI as a tool for revision and rhetorical analysis.
Participants will engage in brief collaborative activities to redesign assignments and reflect on inclusive AI practices. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for implementing UDL principles, enhancing digital literacy, and creating more accessible, student-centered learning environments.
