Today’s learners come to the classroom with a wide range of experiences, needs and responsibilities. Many juggle jobs, family obligations or other commitments—and they need learning experiences that are flexible, supportive and easy to navigate.
With online learning and digital content now central to how colleges and universities deliver instruction, share materials and assess progress, designing this content with intention and empathy is critical. Thoughtful, inclusive course design plays a powerful role in creating meaningful, effective experiences that help all students succeed.
Here are three strategies to support more flexible, student-centered learning:
Design for digital accessibility from the start
Digital accessibility means designing websites, learning platforms and course content so that all students—across a wide range of abilities, devices and learning environments—can access, navigate, and benefit from them.
The World Wide Web Consortium outlines this approach through the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which are built around four principles: content should be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
While these standards offer a strong foundation for inclusive digital design, the practice of implementing the principles remains inconsistent across institutions. In fact, a recent survey found only 22% of faculty consistently consider accessibility when creating materials.
This disconnect affects students with disabilities and the growing number of learners navigating coursework on mobile devices, between jobs, caregiving, or commuting.
Accessible design practices—such as clear structure, responsive layouts, alt text and captioned videos—don’t just remove barriers. They make learning content easier to use, more consistent across platforms and better suited for today’s digital reality.
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Designing with digital accessibility in mind from the beginning means content works on any screen size, supports a range of interaction needs and delivers a smoother experience for everyone.
When we build content to be accessible, we’re also building for mobile learners, for first-generation students, for working adults—for the full diversity of today’s student population. It’s not just the right thing to do—it’s a smarter way to build.
Offer flexible ways to engage
Students access coursework from multiple devices throughout the day. Some may move between a laptop at work and a tablet at home; others may rely on mobile for nearly everything.
When content is built to display clearly and consistently across platforms, students can focus on learning—not troubleshooting.
Flexibility also helps learners with tight schedules, medical needs or demanding responsibilities. When materials are adaptable from the start, students can engage when and how it works best for them.
These choices are especially important for students who may rely on specific platforms to meet their accessibility needs. Offering multiple ways to participate fosters inclusion, builds confidence and supports long-term success.
When educators proactively design for flexibility, they promote independence, reduce barriers and build more inclusive learning environments.
Rethink assessments: Give students more ways to show what they know
Supporting student success also means rethinking how learning is measured. Today’s learners bring a wide range of experiences, schedules and responsibilities to the classroom. One-size-fits-all assessments can limit how they demonstrate what they’ve learned.
Traditional timed exams and essay-heavy assessments do not work for everyone. Some learners struggle with time constraints, while others may not express their understanding best through writing.
Offering a mix of formats such as video submissions, project-based evaluations or open-book applications, can allow learners to demonstrate their knowledge in ways that suit their strengths.
Today’s learners expect education to integrate seamlessly into their lives. By prioritizing flexibility, accessibility and inclusion from the start, institutions can better support every student.
