Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction (DI) - Making Connections Webinar Series

Who should attend

Team of Classroom Teachers, Learning Coaches, School Leaders, Jurisdictional Consultants, Special Education or Student Services Directors

About this learning opportunity

This series of two webinars will provide you with an opportunity to explore the basic building blocks of inclusive education. Elements of Response to Intervention are infused, as each approach builds responsively from the first. UDL challenges us to reduce barriers that may be inherent in a one-size-fits all approach to learning, DI helps to understand and respond to the students in our classroom, and individualized interventions make sure that every child has access to education has the appropriate balance of support and challenge. 

Practical strategies of how to incorporate the principles of UDL, DI and individualized planning into classroom practice will be discussed. Integrating technology as a tool to support diverse learners will also be explored as universal, targeted and individual supports.

May 16 – Universal Design for Learning (UDL)  Proactive Design

The first webinar will introduce you to Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Embedding UDL principles into lesson design is a proactive way to meet a variety of learner preferences. Throughout the webinar, you will have the opportunity to explore questions such as:

• What are the barriers that students might face in terms of how they can get information,
• How they can express what they know and can do, and how they can meaningfully participate and engage in learning?
• Where and how does digital media and technology fit in to designing accessible learning?
• What can we expect from looking at learning through the UDL lens? 
• What steps can be taken at the classroom, school and district level to proactively remove inappropriate barriers to learning?

You will be shown some tools that you can employ in your classroom to provide multiple means of representation, action and expression as well as engagement.

May 30 – Differentiated Instruction - Responsive Instruction

In the second webinar, we will explore Differentiated Instruction and how this approach takes advantage of the proactive thinking and design of UDL and the use of emerging and assistive technologies. Differentiated Instruction means being responsive to the diversity of students in your class. You will be shown ways to develop learner profiles that can be used to plan for students in terms of readiness, interests and/or preferences. In a differentiated classroom grouping of learners and instructional approaches will vary, methods will consider learners strengths and weaknesses, and assessment for and of learning will be infused.

The goal of this series is to introduce these educational approaches as an interconnected series of steps that can be used to create learning environments and context that are inclusive in nature and effective in design, development and implementation. The introductory nature of the series will undoubtedly leave you with questions. 

To this end, you will be encouraged to “go deeper” in developing your understandings of both UDL and DI.  Suggestions for learning more will be provided.

This learning opportunity is subsidized as a result of a grant from Alberta Education to support implementation.

About the facilitator(s)

Kathy Howery is a doctoral candidate at the University of Alberta and an educational consultant.  Kathy has worked for close to 30 years in the area of assistive technology, special education and universal design for learning (UDL).  Of late, Kathy’s research has led her to approach inquiry into Augmentative and Alternative Communication through hermeneneutic phenomenology.  Kathy also continues to be actively involved in research and practice in the area of Universal Design for Learning.  It is her profound belief that by proactively designing accessible learning environments will enhance the educational experiences and outcomes for every student.