2018 UDL-IRN International Summit: Full Schedule

9:00am

Designing for English Learners: The UDL Approach

How can we use UDL to design for the learner variability of English language learners (ELs)? Using a problem-based approach (e.g., the use of scenarios, protocols, and/or posed questions) embedded with time for self-reflection, participants will identify steps that will enhance their learning environments and lessons. By the end of the session, participants will (1) identify characteristics of linguistic variability associated with English language learning, and (2) develop at least three culturally responsive UDL-designed strategies to engage learners, represent information, and offer opportunities for action & expression.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Loui Lord Nelson

Dr. Nelson is internationally recognized for helping educators move from an initial understanding of UDL to the implementation of UDL. A former special educator, Loui was the UDL Coordinator for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation in Columbus Indiana for 4 years before receiving... Read More →

Dr. Patti Kelly Ralabate

Patti Kelly Ralabate, Ed.D. teaches for the George Washington University and conducts workshops throughout the country. Building on 25 years as a speech-language pathologist, nine years as the National Education Association (NEA) Senior Policy Analyst for special and gifted education... Read More →

Defining Culture Exercise docx

UDL Graphic Organizer pdf

CRT Principles Explained docx

Designing for English Learning pptx

Wednesday April 25, 2018 9:00am - 12:00pm
Universal F

Pre-Conference

9:00am

Empowering Learners with the UDL Lens: Building a Personal Learning Backpack for Agency and Self-Advocacy

Self advocacy is a critical skill in becoming a life-long learner that is college and career ready. An expert learner is one who has agency and can self-advocate based on a good understanding of his or her strengths, challenges and personal interests. The goal of this workshop is to provide participants with a process and a set of practical tools that will guide every learner in developing self-advocacy skills through the application of the UDL lens (Access, Engage and Express) in order to create a more learner-centered classroom that emphasizes agency and self-regulation.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Kathleen McClaskey

Kathleen McClaskey, M.Ed. (@khmmc) is Founder of Make Learning Personal and Co-author of bestsellers Make Learning Personal and How to Personalize Learning. She is an innovative leader, speaker, professional developer, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) consultant with over 30... Read More →

Luis Pérez

Luis Perez is a Technical Assistance Specialist for the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) at CAST. He holds a doctorate in special education and a master’s degree in instructional technology from the University of South Florida. Luis is President-Elect of... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 9:00am - 12:00pm
Universal D

Pre-Conference

9:00am

Transforming High School Learning Environments: Year Four of Our UDL Journey

The UDL Transforming High School Learning Environments (UDL-THSLE) project is a collaboration between César E. Chávez High School in Houston, Texas, the Region 4 (Texas) Educational Service Center (ESC), and All In, an education consultancy group. This pre-conference session will use a blended format to describe a multi-year Universal Design for Learning project through the lens of the UDL leadership team, made up of school administrators, teacher leaders, regional support staff and UDL coaches. This session will guide participants through the phases of UDL implementation, with a specific focus on integrating UDL into practice in a large, urban high school. Participants in this session will explore a variety of resources related to UDL implementation including classroom artifacts, teacher and student videos, school data, and professional learning materials.

https://padlet.com/eberquist/thsle4

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Elizabeth Berquist

Dr. Liz Berquist is currently the Coordinator of Professional Growth for the Baltimore County Public Schools. In this role she designs and deliver professional learning for the district. Prior to this role, Liz served as a faculty member in the Department of Special Education at Towson... Read More →

Dr. Kirsten Omelan

Kirsten Omelan, PhD, has worked in the field of special education for more than 15 years. She is currently an education specialist in the Special Education Department at the Region 4 Education Service Center in Texas, where she is the lead for Access to the General Curriculum initiatives... Read More →

Rene Sanchez

Rene Sanchez, MEd, is from Edinburg, which is located in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Sanchez earned his BA at the University of Notre Dame, his law degree at Ohio State University, and his MEd in educational administration at the University... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 9:00am - 12:00pm
Universal E

Pre-Conference

9:00am

UDL 101

Are you new to UDL? Join us for an introduction to Universal Design for Learning (UDL). During this pre-conference, leaders from the UDL-IRN and CAST will team up to provide participants with an overview of UDL. We’ll explore the UDL principles, guidelines, and the underlying research. We'll discuss how educators are intentionally designing learning opportunities to reduce barriers and meet the needs of diverse learners.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

CAST

Located a short distance north of Boston, CAST is a nonprofit education research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals through Universal Design for Learning.The CAST team includes about 40 talented employees, including world-class... Read More →

UDL-IRN

We believe the traditional one-size-fits all model of education is outdated and broken. We believe our future is directly tied to the next generation of learners. We believe in the power of networking all education stakeholders.Our mission is to support the design of future ready... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 9:00am - 12:00pm
Universal C

Pre-Conference

12:00pm

Lunch

Wednesday April 25, 2018 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Citrus Crown Ballroom

Summit-Wide Event

1:00pm

#UDLrockstar Twitter Bootcamp

You are a #UDLrockstar, so share like a #UDLrockstar using Twitter as your professional learning backup band. Whether you’re a Twitter novice or you have over 10,000 followers, this session will help you will take your UDL professional learning to the next level: Epic.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Bryan Dean

UDL-IRN

Bryan Dean is an educational consultant working for Oakland Schools in Oakland County, MI. He works in the areas of School Culture & Climate, Curriculum & Assessment, Instruction & Pedagogy, and Special Populations: Capacity Building. His primary focus is on equitable learner centered... Read More →

Mindy Johnson

Director of Digital Communications & Outreach, CAST

Mindy Johnson is the Director of Digital Communication & Outreach at CAST. She is a former high school special education teacher and Boston Museum of Science Overnight Program instructor, providing insight into UDL implementation in informal learning environments. She is also one... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Universal F

Pre-Conference

1:00pm

Teaching Executive Function Skills Across the Curriculum

This workshop will introduce you to neuroscience research and how they correlate to classroom applications in areas of executive function and memory consolidation. Participants will learn the basic neuroscience of learning resulting in the development of the executive function skills necessary for new information to become long term memory. The session will be divided into three sections; Understanding what happens in the brain process for new to learning to occur, teaching strategies based on neuroscience that support learning and, how these strategies fit into the UDL classroom.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Susan Simmons

Dr. Simmons is a passionate UDL Enthusiast. She came to UDL from her many years as an Assistive Technology Specialist and Teacher. She has been a public school teacher, and administrator (Program Specialist), a college instructor as well as Education Specialist and Professional Development... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Universal C

Pre-Conference

1:00pm

UDL Implementation for Administrators

Are you sold on UDL and ready to start implementation? Come join us for an afternoon of learning, planning, and design. Analyze your school or system’s readiness; learn about systems and infrastructure to support UDL growth; create a plan for culture change in your school. This workshop will provide you with tools (and time!) to begin building your approach to school- and system-wide improvement. Recommended audience: District leaders, school principals and administrators, and instructional coaches.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Jennifer Levine

As Director of Professional Learning, Jennifer Levine oversees the design and delivery of products and services related to the implementation of Universal Design for Learning in schools, districts, and states.Jennifer is passionate about teaching students in the margins and sees... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Universal D

Pre-Conference

1:00pm

UDL Implementation in the PK-12 Math Classroom

It is relatively simple to articulate the three core principles of UDL to PK-12 educators. Preparing them to apply these principles in meaningful and effective ways, however, can be difficult. This is especially the case the more one attends to the detailed guidelines they encompass or focuses on the teaching of a particular content area. In this pre-conference workshop, attendees will participate in several interactive, hands-on learning activities and be introduced to a wealth of evidence-based and research-based practical strategies for teaching mathematics, aligned to the UDL guidelines. The main objective is that attendees emerge from the workshop immediately capable of applying a variety of UDL-aligned strategies to their teaching of mathematics. The emphasis will be on how the flexible differentiation that UDL motivates can help all learners, especially those struggling or receiving services for disabilities, gain the access to quality mathematics learning at high levels they are often denied.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Harold Campbell

Harold Campbell has spent more than twenty-two years in the field of mathematics. He has taught a diverse group of students, kindergarten through college, including students with disabilities, English language learners and others designated “at risk.” He has also served as department... Read More →

Amy McDonald

Amy McDonald currently works as a mathematics specialist in Exceptional Student Services with the Arizona Department of Education. She is also finishing her PhD in Teaching and Teacher Education at the University of Arizona. Amy boasts early childhood, elementary, secondary mathematics... Read More →

UDL resources handout pdf

Wednesday April 25, 2018 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Universal E

Pre-Conference

6:00pm

California's Statewide Early Childhood Assessment: Universally Designed to Measure Progress for All Children

The Desired Results Developmental Profile, DRDP (2015), an authentic assessment developed by the California Department of Education, was developed to ensure that all young children have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, including children with disabilities and dual language learners. This strengths-based assessment promotes positive outcomes for children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and children with differing abilities and different interests. All children are entitled access to, and meaningful participation in, learning experiences and early childhood curriculum. The principles of universal design were incorporated into the DRDP’s introduction, item descriptors, examples, rating process, definition of mastery, and use of adaptations.

Speakers

Debbie Duplantis

Debbie is the Training Coordinator for the Desired Results Access Project through the California Department of Education, Special Education Division. She has had extensive experience with the Desired Results Developmental Profile both in development and use within her previous role... Read More →

Dr. Patricia Snyder

Dr. Snyder is a Professor and the David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Florida where she is also Director of the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies. Dr. Snyder is affiliated California’s Desired Results Access... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

Exploring the Relationship Between Universal Design for Learning and Design-Based Research

The inclusion of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015) has placed new attention on designing learning environments that meet the needs of all learners. Given that UDL is situated in educational design, Design-Based Research(DBR), a promising methodology that focuses on design procedures, can advance UDL research. Researchers and educators communicate equally sharing the common academic objective for UDL research with DBR methodology. This study investigated 6 UDL research that used DBR as a methodology. This study identified how primary research components are similar across the UDL studies that use DBR methodology and how the research has aligned with the UDL framework and the features of DBR. Researchers suggested implications for future UDL research based on the findings.

Speakers

Dr. James Basham

CEO, Associate Professor, UDL-IRN, University of Kansas

James D. Basham, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. Dr. Basham is also the cofounder and CEO of the Universal Design for Learning - Implementation and Research Network (UDL-IRN). The UDL-IRN is a global non-profit... Read More →

Gwangmyoung Kim

Dr. Misuk Lee

Sohyun Yang

Sohyun Yang is currently a doctoral student and research assistant at the University of Kansas. Sohyun had taught special education at high school level. Her research focuses are Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and inclusive education. Sohyun is studying ways to accommodate educational... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

How Personalized Adaptive Learning (Realizeit) can Promote UDL in Online Course Content

Personalized Adaptive Learning (PAL) has gained popularity in recent years. As a matter of fact, the NMC Horizons 2016 Report has stated that institutions of higher education are beginning to realize that the one-size-fits-all approach to teaching is not an efficient way for students to learn (NMC Horizons, 2016). PAL software (e.g., Realizeit), provides students with a learning experience that allows students to advance, review, and progress at their own pace (Chatzopoulou & Economides, 2010). PAL incorporates UDL principles by default into the creation of online course content with its ability to address various learning styles, provide flexibility to learning, and allow students to advance at their own pace. This poster session will review the advantages and disadvantages of PAL as well as how PAL aligns in several ways with the UDL framework.

Speakers

Kathleen Bastedo

Kathleen Bastedo has been employed as an instructional designer at the Center for Distributed Learning (CDL) at the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) since 2006. She facilitates faculty with the design, development, and delivery of online courses. She earned a Master’s degree... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

Infusing UDL into preservice methods courses

In order to bridge the gap between theory and practice, a collegial collaboration of general and special education faculty created an intentional continuation of a foundations course, Introduction to Special Education. By infusing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) content and skills throughout a field-based elementary social studies methods course, students put the theory of UDL to practice in small group teaching opportunities. In this session, instructional methods and supports will be shared as a means to demonstrate how students grew in their understanding of UDL and using the concepts and strategies in their small group lesson plans and generation of instructional materials. Results of the students' self-reflection of UDL knowledge across the semester will also be shared.

Speakers

Dr. Leigh Rohde

Dr. Leigh Rohde is an assistant professor in the School of Education at Salem State University in Salem, MA. She coordinates the Master's program in Special Education and the Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders program. Dr. Rohde teaches undergraduate and graduate courses... Read More →

Anneliese Mueller Worster

Anneliese Mueller Worster is an environmental educator at heart, her research and teaching focuses on the role of sense of place in increasing civic engagement. Anneliese is committed to helping prepare future educators become proficient at planning and implementing a strong social... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

One Size Does Not Fit All: Equity, Access, PD and UDL

Without the necessary training, guidance, and support, currently practicing teachers are faced with a dilemma in creating accessible lessons that meet the needs of all students (CAST, 2013; Courey et al., 2013). With the states mandating the Common Core state standards and those Universal Design for Learning, (UDL) principles to be integrated as a viable tool of instruction for all learners, it will be pivotal for teachers to receive proper training in this task (Williams, King, & Warren, 2011). Participants will learn how a little research study quantitatively showed that lesson plans were more integrative of UDL principles, but also led to transfer of learning.

Speakers

Dr. Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles

Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles, Ph.D. ATP, is the Assistive Technology Specialist for RSU 21 in Kennebunk Maine. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of New England's Graduate Programs in Online Learning, as well as the University of Maine at Farmington. Hillary is a... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

Producing YouTube Study Guide Videos in an Introductory Composition Class

As part of the run-up for an academic conference, my section of English 101 partnered with a section of African American Studies to participate in an interdisciplinary examination of the miniseries Roots. The conversations that resulted from this partnership were so compelling that the English 101 class developed our responses into “study guide” videos designed to provide resources for future students. In the process, the students not only demonstrated their profound insight into the show’s themes, but also received a crash course in critical reflection, collaborative writing, outlining and drafting, elocution, PowerPoint protocol, and video recording. Guided by the UDL principles regarding expression/communication and effort/persistence, we developed a rigorous process that combined individual writing with collaborative work in a way that allowed students to express their responses to the text through a variety of formats, including reflection essays, discussions, PowerPoint presentations, collaborative writing assignments, and, ultimately, a video.

Speakers

Randy Laist

Randy Laist is associate professor of English at Goodwin College. He is the author of "Technology and Postmodern Subjectivity in Don DeLillo's Novels" and "Cinema of Simulation: Hyperreal Hollywood in the Long 1990s."

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

Rural Left-behind Children in China and Mobile Learning

The purpose of this study is to conduct an exploratory investigative context analysis of how current uses of mobile technologies among left-behind children in rural communities in China. We will use the descriptive studies (Grimes & Schulz, 2002) to understand the complex issues that left behind children are facing in China and the potential of M-learning to support learning of those children. The left-behind children are vulnerable and their development is severely impacted. This study contributes to the understanding of under-served communities of left-behind children in china and the potential of designing and developing mobile educational resources to support the learning of those children.

Speakers

Dr. Ya Wen

Dr. Ya Wen is Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Work of Shanghai Ocean University in China. Her research focuses on social and family dynamics of rural-to-urban migration in China, child welfare and well-being of children affected by migration, and community develop... Read More →

Jingrong Xie

Jingrong Xie, M.A., Ph.D. candidate in Special Education Department at the University of Kansas. Her specialization is Instructional Design, Innovation, and Technology, and her recent research interest focuses on the study of learning processes and designing modern learning environments... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

Teacher Candidates’ Perspectives on Culturally Responsive Teaching and UDL: Recommendations for making connections.

As UDL now is incorporated into law to support the needs of all learners, it is essential for teacher candidates to understand how to apply UDL in the classroom. This study presents findings of a group of 24 preservice teachers who learned to incorporate the UDL guidelines and apply them with the culturally responsive pedagogy in a multicultural education course. Qualitative analysis indicates that the case study created avenues which enhanced preservice teachers’ educational experience and their ability to apply UDL concepts and tie them to social justice and culturally responsive pedagogy. Practical examples of how to extend the finding to practice will be provided including Concept maps, suggestions for lessons, and other on-line resources.

Speakers

Dr. Craig Blum

I am a Professor at Illinois State University Department of Special Education. I have presented and co-authored many papers and chapters on UDL and early childhood education. I have also co-authored two books, Instructional Technology in Early Childhood Education and Effective RTI... Read More →

Dr. Mirand Lin

I am Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education in the School of Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University. I present nationally and internationally on culturally responsive pedagogy, and I have authored and co-authored numerous papers and chapters on cultural responsive... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

UDL and Arts Integration: Reducing Barriers to Learning through the Marriage of Two Student-Centric Learning Theories

This presentation will explore a UDL implementation project at two Baltimore City Public Charter Schools deeply engaged in Arts Integration. City Neighbors Charter School (K-8) and City Neighbors High School began UDL work in order to increase accessibility and reduce barriers to learning for all students. Engaging in UDL implementation within an already student-centric learning environment brings unique perspectives and questions regarding changing instructional practices and teacher mindset. This presentation seeks to examine both the implementation journey of these two urban public schools, as well as provide robust examples of the marriage of UDL and Arts Integration for better student learning.

Speakers

Lisa Beth Carey

Lisa Carey is the Senior Education Consultant at the Center for Innovation and Leadership in Special Education (CILSE) at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Lisa was part of the CILSE’s first fellowship cohort, where she studied neuroscience, behavior science, school law, and scientific... Read More →

Cheyanne Zahrt

Cheyanne Zahrt is the principal of City Neighbors High School. Cheyanne brings a wealth of experience in working with teachers, students, and parents. She has demonstrated a strong stand for children, teachers, families and the City Neighbors mission and vision during her past... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

UDL Implementation in the Math Classroom: Practical Applications for Monday's Lessons

It is relatively simple to articulate the core principles of UDL to PK-12 educators. Preparing them to apply these principles in meaningful and effective ways, however, can be difficult. This is especially the case the more one attends to the detailed guidelines they encompass or focuses on the teaching of a particular content area. In this poster session, attendees will be introduced to a wealth of evidence-based and research-based practical strategies for teaching mathematics, aligned to the UDL guidelines. In addition to the physical poster, handouts detailing these strategies and relevant resources differentiated by grade band will be provided. Finally, a short video will play repeatedly to engage visitors in the exploration of these ideas. The emphasis will be on how the flexible differentiation that UDL motivates can help all learners, especially those struggling or receiving services for disabilities, gain the access to quality mathematics learning they are often denied.

Speakers

Harold Campbell

Amy McDonald

UDL resources handout pdf

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

Universal Design for Learning and Academic Interventions for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Universal design for learning (UDL) focuses on three core principles, (a) representation, (b) action and expression, and (c) engagement, to help educators design motivating, accessible instruction and environments to increase the participation and achievement of all learners, including those emotional disturbances. UDL was recently endorsed by the U. S. Department of Education through Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA; 2015), but there is little evidence on how or if UDL is being implemented with students who have emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). This systematic review of literature investigated the presence of principles of universal design for learning in intervention research for students with EBD. We found studies with technology-based interventions aligned with some aspects of UDL, and any evidence-based interventions exhibit indicators associated with the principle of multiple means of representation, but few studies embed multiple means of engagement or action and expression within the specified interventions.

Speakers

Cassandra Hunt

Cassandra Hunt is a second year doctoral student at the University of Kansas, studying Universal Design for Learning implementation for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Prior to joining the program, Cassandra taught students with EBD in urban public schools for three... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

Universal Design for Learning Studios: Literacy

Access to general education curriculum is a central tenet of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This especially applies to the concept of literacy. This session focuses on looking at literacy through technology to support inclusion of all students in the general education classroom. Participants will look at barriers to literacy through three stages: reading to learn, learning to read, and functional literacy.

Speakers

Lisa Ehlers McCuller

Lisa has provided trainings in New Mexico focused on growth mindseUDL, technology, combining UDL with Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP). She is a Google Educator Level 1.

Jessica McKay

Ms. McKay is a board certified music therapist and certified NCI trainer. She has worked with in the field of assistive technology for over 9 years, supporting both students and educators in the area of assistive technology. Over the past year Jessica has been introducing UDL to teachers... Read More →

Lou Ann Rosario

Ms. Rosario has 35 years of experience in the field of special education to include assistive technology, diagnostics, differentiated instruction, response to intervention, and universal design for learning.

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

Using Self-Awareness to Develop Self-Regulated Learners

Part I: Self-Discovery. How do your own strengths and needs affect your teaching choices, presentation style, and pre-dispositions? Discover how your personal variabilities in memory, reasoning, speed and executive functions impact your teaching style. Laptop necessary.
Part II: Reflection. How do variabilities in Part I affect how your students learn? Learn how to use your understanding of student variabilities to drive self-regulated learning in the classroom. Whether your goal is to provide appropriate choices to elementary students or guide older students to make the best choices for themselves, there will be plenty of takeaways.

Speakers

Nancy Weinstein

Nancy Weinstein is the Founder & CEO of Mindprint Learning, an education technology company that specializes in identifying students’ learning and strengths and needs to guide choice and personalized learning plans for every learner. Nancy is the author of the workbook A Teacher’s... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Poster Session

6:00pm

Wednesday Evening Social

Wednesday April 25, 2018 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Courtyard/South Poolside

Social Gathering

9:00am

Welcome

Speakers

UDL-IRN

Thursday April 26, 2018 9:00am - 9:40am
Citrus Crown Ballroom

Summit-Wide Event

9:40am

Avoiding Pitfalls and Staying True to UDL

Even the most rocking #udlrockstars can get creeped by traditional paradigm. And why not? After all, most of us were raised in this paradigm. It’s the model we looked at every day for years. When we played school as children, we mimicked what we saw in those traditional learning environments. It is indeed one of the cultural lenses that we must always be aware of as we design and interact. You’ve seen those internet memes that say, “Sometimes I open my mouth, and my mother comes out.” Well, sometimes I open my #udlrockstar mouth, and the traditional paradigm slips out. I bet it happens to you too. It happens to all of us. Occasionally those old definitions of success, work, good behavior, participation, or collaboration bubble up in our design, our student interactions, and our professional networking. What can we do about it? Join me for a dynamic UDL talk and find out!

Speakers

Joni Degner

I am a member of the CAST Professional Learning Cadre and a full time UDL facilitator for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) in Columbus, Indiana, a district nationally recognized for UDL practices and implementation. Prior to becoming a UDL facilitator, I was a high... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 9:40am - 10:00am
Citrus Crown Ballroom

UDL Talk

10:00am

How Does Space Matter? Making the Case for Integrated Space Design within a Comprehensive UDL Strategy

The Gould Evans Education Design Studio is focused on the behavioral impacts and learning outcomes associated with learning space. We believe strongly in the value of aligning well-designed space to support principles of UDL. From our own research, and a broad and ongoing literature review, we’re structuring a guideline to help UDL adopters shape learning spaces to further reinforce UDL practices. This talk will cover highlights of work to date, ranging from quick, simple solutions to more integrated design strategies.

Speakers

David Reid

David Reid is a Principal at Gould Evans in Kansas City, Missouri. David’s excitement about all things educational is contagious. He excels at helping clients envision a more compelling future condition: broadening their conceptions about the transformative power of great design.David’s drive to create learning envi... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 10:00am - 10:20am
Citrus Crown Ballroom

UDL Talk

10:40am

UDL Stories to Support our Core Values

Stories engage us. They help us connect, empathize, and motivate us to take action. Through stories, we can better understand how to deepen and change practice and ensure our work aligns with our core values. In this session, we will explore how to leverage the power of stories to share impact of UDL on student learning. It will include stories from brain science, classroom examples, and the UDL guidelines. It will also include stories from a brilliant story teller and CAST’s co-founder, David Rose. Participants will leave with a framework to begin sharing their UDL stories of impact so that collectively, we can work together to share how we design environments for expert learning.

https://bit.ly/2HnBu6p

Speakers

Allison Posey

Allison Posey works at CAST in curriculum design and professional learning of UDL implementation. She coordinates the CAST free webinar series, free resources, and UDL Symposium. Prior to coming to CAST, Allison taught high school and community college genetics, anatomy, biology... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 10:40am - 11:00am
Citrus Crown Ballroom

UDL Talk

11:15am

Don’t Forget the “R” in R&D! Lessons from a Formative Research Study for Inclusive Ed-tech Design

There is widespread debate in the field of K-12 education about the extent to which education technology (ed-tech) products allow for inclusive access to effective learning. In order to inform their decisions and strategy, teachers, administrators, and policy makers need to know: Can ed-tech serve learners from diverse backgrounds, across a broad range of abilities? Ultimately, the answer to this question comes down to the type of ed-tech in question, and how it is utilized. To create ed-tech that is as inclusive as possible, many developers strive for design that is universal. However, it is challenging to measure the success of these efforts. We argue that increased partnerships between ed-tech companies—often too small to house their own research team—and researchers can build an iterative cycle of formative development that results in more inclusive ed-tech products. We highlight one short example of such research support his argument.

Speakers

Laura Gluck

Laura Gluck is a Senior Research Associate with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program at WestEd. She works on a number of projects ranging from formative evaluation to large-scale impact studies. Her role at WestEd is primarily focused on edtech and includes... Read More →

Rachel Tripathy

Rachel Tripathy is a Research Associate for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program at WestEd. She has extensive experience working on education projects with a focus on randomized trials and quantitative research methods. Her research interests include... Read More →

DontForgetTheR SlideHandout pdf

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 11:35am
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

11:15am

Case-Based Teaching: Supporting Educators’ Understanding of UDL

How might we support educators to learn about UDL through experiences that are more interactive, constructivist, and learner-centered? The Professional Learning Team at CAST explored this question through a study that examined the potential of a case-based teaching approach. Participants in the study explored a case of an elementary school wrestling with dilemmas associated with supporting diverse learners. Participants assumed active roles and immersed themselves in the real-life challenges presented in the case. In this session, we will collaboratively explore initial findings that reveal how participants experienced the case-based approach and reflect on the usefulness of case-based teaching.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Heather Francis

Heather Francis, Ed.M. is an Implementation Specialist who collaborates with educator teams to facilitate the application of Universal Design for Learning and inclusive practices at the classroom, school and district level. Before joining the staff at CAST, Francis worked as an elementary... Read More →

Jenna Gravel

Jenna Gravel, Ed.D. is CAST’s Director of Research and Curriculum for Professional Learning. Her most recent research explores the intersections of UDL and disciplinary thinking in English Language Arts and the ways that these intersections can promote diverse learners’ engagements... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Palm Beach/Broward

Breakout Session

11:15am

Engaging instruction for pre-service general educators: Modeling UDL at a college level

The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework enables access to learning for all students (Rose, 2001). The purpose of this mixed-method project was to model the UDL principles to pre-service general education teachers (n=40). Data show benefits of utilizing multiple means of expression, representation, and engagement in a college classroom.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Aleksandra Hollingshead

Dr. Aleksandra Hollingshead is an assistant professor of special education at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. She comes from a diverse background as she was born and raised in Poland and moved to the United States in 2003. She worked as a special education teacher with students... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Sarasot/Hillsboro

Breakout Session

11:15am

Every Student Needs a Learner Profile

The complex intersection of memory, executive functions, processing speed and complex reasoning skills has significant determination for how every student in the classroom learns most comfortably and effectively. Yet schools measure these skills for fewer than 20% of learners. We present the research on cognitive skills and learning and show why teachers benefit from an objective understanding of cognitive strengths and needs in every student (from SpED to gifted). We will use real data to show practical applications using cognitive data to remove learning obstacles and empower students by recognizing their strengths.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Nancy Weinstein

Mindprint Learner Profilev2 pdf

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal E

Breakout Session

11:15am

Social Emotional Engagement (SEE-KS)

Research in social neuroscience fosters our understanding of the development of social and emotional competence in the classroom. This translates into essential instructional elements for students with autism while creating a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for all students. The outcomes of the Social Emotional Engagement Knowledge and Skills (SEE-KS) focus on ensuring learning strategies to promote access, engagement and expression of learning across various stages of development.
This session supports fostering high-quality personnel preparation and professional development through discussions about how system-wide professional learning can focus on sustainability and will include: identifying internal resources, schoolwide trainings, building effective coaching practices and data specifics to increase educator knowledge, practices (skills) as well as learner success through cognitive, social and emotional engagement.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Jennifer Townsend

Jennifer C. Townsend, M.Ed is an Educational Consultant with expertise in social emotional learning differences including autism spectrum disorder. Jen works in partnership with school districts to build capacity for educating all learners. She specializes in an individualized approach... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal D

Breakout Session

11:15am

Teacher Education and Professional Development on UDL

In this session, we summarize the literature on teacher training on UDL, describing ways in which teacher educators and professional developers teach about UDL. We will also present practical resources that teacher educators can use for UDL training, including a step-by-step process that facilitates UDL-based lesson planning and design. This session is relevant for pre- and in-service teacher educators, administrators, and teacher practitioners who are involved in UDL implementation and training.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Cynthia Okolo

Cynthia Okolo is a professor of special education. Her research focuses on improving academic outcomes for students with disabilities through the integration of technology into the classroom. She also studies how Universal Design for Learning (UDL)-aligned instructional practices... Read More →

Dr. Kavita Rao

Kavita Rao is an associate professor at College of Education, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Her research focuses on instructional and assistive technology, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), online learning for non-traditional students, and technology-related strategies for... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal C

Breakout Session

11:15am

Universally Designed Professional Learning

The purpose of this session is to highlight Universal Design for Learning as a framework to design professional learning experiences that can move schools, districts, and states from exploration of UDL to integration. Like students, educators vary in  the ways they engage with content, in how they perceive information, and in the strategies they use to make sense of what they know. Professional learning opportunities must recognize and address this variability. In addition, if leaders want participants to develop a deep understanding of UDL, they must experience the framework as a learner.

https://tinyurl.com/udlProfLearn

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Elizabeth Berquist

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Indian River/Cape Canaveral

Breakout Session

11:15am

What is Expected in States and Districts? Learn About UDL in Education Policy and Guidance.

Is your state or district asking you to implement UDL? As states and districts put the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in to practice they are adopting UDL. Come learn how UDL is highlighted in federal and state policy documents. States are adopting UDL in micro-credentials, UDL in literacy curriculum, UDL in assessments, UDL-based personalized learning, embedding UDL in educator professional development and preparation. Finally, learn what is happening to encourage parental understanding and advocacy of UDL. Participants will learn about where to access guidance and support documents as well as a UDL Parent Toolkit.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16VBTs7DNqR2Dlfdq0db54ajxRaKa-TJ6ntqeosZLmDc/edit#slide=id.p

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. James Basham

CEO, Associate Professor, UDL-IRN, University of Kansas

Lindsay Jones

Vice President, Chief Policy & Advocacy Officer, NCLD

Lindsay E. Jones is the Vice President, Chief Policy & Advocacy Officer for the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). She leads a team that designs and implements NCLD’s legislative strategy in Washington, DC, aimed at advancing government policies that support the... Read More →

Richard Allen Carter, Jr.

Assistant Professor, University of Wyoming

Richard Allen Carter, Jr. is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Wyoming. His research focuses on developing self-regulated learning strategies to support diverse learners in modern learning environments. In addition, he is interested in the development... Read More →

Ricki Sabia

Senior Education Policy Advisor, NDSC

Ricki Sabia has worked in the federal education policy field since 2002. Her areas of focus are the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Every Student Succeeds Act, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and inclusive education. Ricki founded the National UDL Task Force in... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Dade/Florida Keys

Breakout Session

11:15am

“ALL In”: Using Data Strategically for Systemic UDL Implementation.

Oconomowoc Area School District, Oconomowoc, WI, is in our 5th year of UDL Implementation. This session will focus on how districts can connect Data and UDL implementation across all stakeholders; from the district level to classrooms to better understand learner variability. Together, Data and UDL are helping to achieve a Royal Flush-where every stakeholder is of the same suite. We are “ALL In”! Learn how our Strategic Direction, Building level Goals, School Learning Outcomes/Professional Growth Plans, and Student Centered goals are all Data and UDL driven!

Google Slide Presentation Link.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

John Flannery

Shannon McCaffery

Shannon McCaffery is the principal of Greenland Elementary School for the Oconomowoc Area School District. Prior to becoming a principal, Shannon served the district as the K-12 Curriculum Coordinator. In both roles, Shannon has had the opportunity to help lead teams through UDL implementation... Read More →

Kim Schiefelbein

Kim Schiefelbein is the UDL Coach/Facilitator for the Oconomowoc Area School District. Kim has been in the field of Education for 17 years with the last 5 years focusing on Coaching Teams and developing professional development to build capacity in UDL implementation at the district... Read More →

All IN! Using Data Strategically for Systemic UDL Implementation pdf

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal F

Breakout Session

11:15am

Cooperative Learning Strategies that Engage and Support All Learners

One of the best things about the UDL framework is that it doesn’t ask us to throw out meaningful professional learning; instead, it give us a proactive way to ensure that it connects to student goals and removes barriers in the learning environment. As we embrace cooperative learning strategies, we must maintain fidelity to the UDL framework and make certain those strategies are designed to the margins. Join Joni Degner and Kate Edgren for a look at some of their favorite cooperative learning strategies, participate as students in these cooperative structures, and co-design cooperative learning structures that reach all learners.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Joni Degner

Kate Edgren

UDL Facilitator, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation

Kate Edgren is an elementary UDL Facilitator for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation. Prior to that she taught secondary science for seven years, including teaching project-based learning in a UDL environment. She has presented professional development in various capacities... Read More →

Cooperative Learning One Pager docx

Cooperative Learning UDLIRN 18 Degner Edgren pptx

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

11:15am

Every Student, Every Class- Embracing Equity and Social Justice through a UDL lens

“As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves.”- Gandhi

Participants will engage in a “world cafe” model of collaboration as they explore and share how they can look within themselves for biases and create a classroom embracing equity and social justice by utilizing a UDL lens.

http://bit.ly/WorldCafeIRN2018

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Lisa Ehlers McCuller

Lisa has provided trainings in New Mexico focused on growth mindseUDL, technology, combining UDL with Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP). She is a Google Educator Level 1.

Jessica McKay

Lou Ann Rosario

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

11:15am

UDL In Action: SNUDLE for Science

CAST and SRI, funded by IES and OSEP, are currently researching a digital tool, created by CAST, and based on the framework of Universal Design for Learning. The Science Notebook in a Universal Design for Learning Environment (SNUDLE) is designed to support 4th grade students and their teachers while using the scientific inquiry process. Bring your device and explore SNUDLE! You will be invited to interact with developers and researchers to share your insights about SNUDLE as a part of our iterative co-design process. Participants will learn how SNUDLE is currently being used in the classroom as we share preliminary findings from fourth grade science classes that have experienced SNUDLE through our ongoing research studies.

Padlet: https://padlet.com/estarr2/rmyg1jr7jhsh
SNUDLE: https://snudletx.cast.org

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

SNUDLE Team

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

11:15am

Using Tools and Apps to Give Voice and Choice to Learners

As we understand learners and how they learn using the UDL Lens of Access, Engage and Express, how can we identify the tools, apps and skills that can give voice and choice to our learners? During this interactive session, come experience tools, apps and strategies that can create a learning culture that values every learner and harnesses the power of learner agency. Participants will leave ready to take their first steps in helping learners build a Personal Learning Backpack that can empower every learner with voice and choice in their learning.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Kathleen McClaskey

Luis Pérez

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

11:40am

New Hampshire's UDL Innovation Network

We will be giving a quick summary of the implementation work that CAST and the DOE are doing statewide in New Hampshire --what we are doing, what results we hope to see, and how our work can be recreated in other states and districts.

Speakers

Mary T. Lane

Mary Lane is the liaison to the implementation of IDEA, regarding accessibility for all students, schools and families. She also is the NH NIMAC Coordinator, working with the NH American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Ex-Officio, and various projects such as the NHAEM Center... Read More →

Jennifer Levine

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:40am - 11:45am
Universal Center

Ignite Talk

11:50am

Deep Currents and Dry Creek Beds: Sustainable UDL Implementation

There are opportunities for anyone involved in education to initiate a change process with UDL. Acting on these opportunities can build momentum, sustain and spread to a larger scale. Alternatively, there are common actions that can consume high levels of time and energy but never reach their potential to impact larger numbers of learners. This talk will contrast these two paths of implementation and offer lessons learned to promote sustainable and self-reinforcing UDL implementation plans.

Speakers

Bill McGrath

Bill has over ten years experience as a coach and consultant for classroom, school, district and state level implementation of UDL.

Deep Currents Dry Creekbeds EoA Talk (2) pdf

Thursday April 26, 2018 11:50am - 12:10pm
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

12:15pm

Lunch

Thursday April 26, 2018 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Citrus Crown Ballroom

Summit-Wide Event

12:30pm

UDL supports for Math and Science

Over the past 5 years UDL supports and scaffolding for literacy have become increasingly available, however Math instruction has remained primarily and stubbornly a paper based practice.

We know that the transition from paper to digital for English Language Arts has unlocked the ability to mix and match appropriate UDL tools and methods for students and teachers. It is now common practice for entire districts to have Comprehension and Writing support tools that support UDL teaching and learning practice.

On average, over 60% of 4th and 8th graders are not proficient in Math*, and estimated remedial math enrollment continues to rise each year. Yet with demand for STEM related jobs expected to increase by 28% by 2024 it’s more important than ever to future proof the STEM pioneers of tomorrow. So how can the UDL framework help us to guide our students?

Some recent innovative breakthroughs have been made in the area of Math and Science that help facilitate good UDL practice in the classroom and at home.

During this session Martin will discuss new approaches to allow students to express their Math knowledge and consume Math and Science in several new ways. The expression of accessible Math & Science by predictive typing, speaking, writing and even OCR of and handwritten Math is now a reality.

Speakers

Martin McKay

Texthelp

Martin is CTO and a founder of Texthelp. He directs all R&D at Texthelp with a focus on developing new technologies to assist people who struggle with reading and writing.Texthelp products help 5 million students with literacy every day in the UK, North and South America and across... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 12:30pm - 12:50pm
Citrus Crown Ballroom

UDL Talk

1:15pm

Beyond access: Supporting teachers to leverage UDL to encourage rich disciplinary thinking among diverse learners

This session shares findings from a study that explored how to support teachers to apply UDL in ways that promote disciplinary thinking in English-Language Arts (ELA) among diverse learners. I collaborated with three teachers to support them to leverage UDL to engage their students in discipline-specific practices and habits of mind. The session offers a snapshot of my work co-designing a fourth-grade writing project with one of the teachers. Participants will examine examples of student work and teacher learning. We will explore the richness of thinking that emerged among all students and the features that supported teacher reflection and growth.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Jenna Gravel

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Palm Beach/Broward

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Course Design for Student Success in Higher Education

Academic Resources at Chattanooga State Community College recently adopted Universal Design Learning principles into their course design process for developing online courses. This session will address Learning Management System tools, software, and course design process currently used in their course design process that promotes UDL and how they tie to the UDL principles. They will also provide recent course examples. This may include recent examples of STEM, Nursing, General Education, and Tennessee Center of Advanced Technology courses.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Toney Phifer

Toney Phifer is an Instructional Designer at Chattanooga State Community College, he has been a part of Chattanooga State since 2010. On the day to day basis Toney does professional development, accessibility training and technical training for the staff and faculty of the institution... Read More →

Adrian Ricketts

Adrian is a specialist in the Center for Distributed Education at Chattanooga State Community College. She works with faculty on a daily basis to help them create well designed accessible content for their courses. She also develops training materials to train faculty and staff how... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal E

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Following the Playbook of UDL Coaching

For UDL implementation to be optimized, continued support is crucial. One way that can happen is through teacher-directed, goal-oriented UDL coaching. In this session, join Stephanie Craig and Kate Edgren to learn various approaches to UDL coaching that prepares personnel to implement UDL effectively. Participants will learn about ways to be purposeful and successful while coaching and also how to avoid coaching mistakes. Additionally, resources will be shared to help develop a strategic system of UDL coaching and support.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Stephanie Craig

Stephanie L. Craig taught in an elementary school classroom for seven years with Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation in Columbus, Indiana. She also coached teachers and designed professional development around UDL for five years. Ms. Craig is a state and national level presenter... Read More →

Kate Edgren

UDL Facilitator, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation

Coaching Breakout pptx

Reflective Communication Skills pdf

Edgren Master UDL Goal Setting Sheet docx

Edgren UDL Coaching form for observations.dotx docx

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Dade/Florida Keys

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Harnessing Instructional Innovations via the UDL Framework

Innovations are exploding in today’s schools. Through various initiative education professionals and their students are gaining access to technology solutions, tools, and strategies that are increasingly revolutionizing what is possible. However, technology growth for technology growth sake will not alter the way we design, plan, and implement instruction for ALL learners. Cool tools are not enough. Instead, these innovations need to be filtered through the lens of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). By integrating the framework within these technology initiatives, we can change the learning experience, the manner in which we assess outcomes, and the way we support students to achieve the skills necessary for the 21st learning and work environments. This session will explore augmentative and virtual reality tools (apps and wearables), ways to find and connect innovations to effective instructional practices, and ways in which the UDL framework can connect the innovations to the learning needs of struggling learners and their peers with disabilities.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Sean Smith

Dr. Sean J. Smith is a teacher, teacher educator, researcher, national presenter, and the parent of four school-age children, two having exceptionalities. With a background in the research and implementation of Universally Design for Learning (UDL) technology-based innovations for... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal D

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Integrating Space Design into Your School’s UDL Framework

How does space impact student behaviors and sense of inclusion? How does space impact teachers’ ability to deliver effective UDL practices? This session will present an overview of design concepts and strategies that schools can overlay with their UDL initiatives. This “pattern language” of ideas will be keyed back to the overall elements of the UDL Guidelines.

https://udl-irn.org/space-design/

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

David Reid

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Sarasot/Hillsboro

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Old vs. New: A Comparison Study of Pre-service Teachers

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) requires a different type of lesson planning. Study of the application of UDL planning in pre-service teaching programs has been limited. Thus far, studies have only focused on lesson planning. To date no studies have analyzed the implementation of the UDL framework as compared to the use of a traditional instructional planning in lesson design, instruction, and reflection. The purpose of this study was to compare the implementation of traditional and UDL methods by student teachers (N= 290) in their lesson design, implementation, and reflections of practice. Successes, challenges, and implications for future research will be shared.

https://padlet.com/alisa_lowrey/euugmnwjho2p

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Audra I. Classen

Dr. Alisa K. Lowrey

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Indian River/Cape Canaveral

Breakout Session

1:15pm

UDL Stories to Support our Core Values

Speakers

Allison Posey

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal C

Breakout Session

1:15pm

We're All In This Together

This session will focus on sharing our learning of both the opportunities and challenges associated with advancing educator practice in Universal Design for Learning in a district where full inclusion is the standard within all 40 schools; elementary and secondary. We will share our story of how we had to remove a variety of organizational barriers in order to create fertile ground to advance student-centered pedagogy. The strategic moves we have made as a district have energized our system and are supporting our goal of creating expert learners, young and old!

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

David Giroux

David Giroux is a Superintendent of School Effectiveness at the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board in Ontario, Canada. He holds a B.A. in English and History from Ottawa University, a B. Ed. from Nipissing University and a M. Ed. from the University of Ottawa... Read More →

Karen Shannon

Karen Shannon is a Superintendent of School Effectiveness at the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board in Ontario, Canada. She has a H.B.A. in History and English from Trent University, a B. Ed. from Queen's University and a Master's Degree in Public Administration... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal F

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Let’s Play, Learn, Create and Reflect with Mobile Devices and Apps the UDL Way

In this interactive session, participants will experience a simulated prepared learning environment for early prek-2nd grade learners featuring some mobile apps created using the UDL framework and some mobile apps created without. You be the judge. Choose your interest, pick your facilitator and create, play, and learn with purpose. Using a simplified rubric based on the UDL_IRN’s v. 1.0 UDL Certification Criteria for EdTech/Curriculum Developers, participants will practice evaluating the experiences in the simulated learning environment, offering suggestions based on the rubric and apply newly acquired knowledge to their own classroom, lessons, and curriculum.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Anna Johnson

ANNA JOHNSON is an educational technology professional with experience in Universal Design for Learning, early elementary math, and early elementary iPad apps to support differentiated and inclusive learning for children with special needs. As a high-tech veteran with over 15 years... Read More →

Pam Vachatimanont

PAM VACHATIMANONT is partnerships and program manager at Enuma, where she oversees various aspects of Enuma's latest product, Kitkit School, which aims to support young children, including struggling learners, to learn how to read, write and count independently. Her latest responsibilities... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

1:15pm

Personalizing with Purpose: Using a Research-Based Tool to Navigate Learner Variability

Personalizing education with purpose means using what learning sciences research says about how people learn in order to reach all learners. The Learner Positioning Systems (LPS) initiative at Digital Promise Global takes a holistic view of the learner by distilling research for easy use on cognitive, social and emotional, content area, and student background Learner Factors. LPS is a free web app that not only lists and connects Factors, but also provides evidence-based strategies that can be applied and adapted for classroom use. In this interactive, hands-on session, participants will explore how to use our LPS tool to understand the latest research and apply strategies for reaching each learner.

Don't forget to bring your devices so that you can interact with our LPS tool!

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Medha Tare

Senior Research Scientist, Digital Promise

Medha has more than ten years of experience conducting applied research in the learning sciences. Her research interests include examining the factors that affect how children and adults acquire new skills and knowledge. She enjoys translating research to non-academic audiences so... Read More →

Wendy Xiao

Program Manager, Digital Promise

Prior to joining Digital Promise, Wendy taught in the elementary division at The Lab School of Washington, focusing on reading and dance instruction. While teaching at a school for children with learning differences, she grew in her dedication to create meaningful learning experiences... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

1:15pm

UDL Credentialing and Certification Initiative

Come learn about an initiative to develop a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) credentialing and certification process to recognize best practices in education program design, product development, and classroom instruction.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

UDL CCI Team

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

1:15pm

UDL-IRN SIG: UDL Implementers; An Implementation Tool that works to Define a Golden Standard

It’s been dubbed “the million dollar question;” what does a UDL classroom really look like? The answer truly is: there isn’t one correct answer to that question. However, all successful UDL classrooms make use of common elements. A Practice Profile includes those common elements and helps organization operationalize UDL practices. It helps districts define what UDL classrooms encompass and look like across different educational settings. In this session, participants will engage in the empowering dialogue that comes from building, using, and editing a Practice Profile.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Greg Amend

NHDOE UDL Scholar, New Hampshire Department of Education

As a rural New Hampshire English teacher and the New Hampshire Department of Education’s Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Scholar, Greg spends half of his time working to connect UDL, competency-based education, curriculum design, family engagement, and career exploration. And... Read More →

Cherie Smith

Cherie Smith is currently working as Regional Consultant for Ohio’s State Support Team 6. In her current role she supports school 47 school districts in Region 6 in the areas of UDL, Special Education, Postsecondary Transition, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, and the Ohio Improvement... Read More →

UDLIRN SIG.Practice Profile DRAFT for Summit docx

UDL IRN SIG 2018 Session Slides. An Implementation Tool that Works to Define a Golden Standard pdf

Implementation Driver Reflection docx

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

1:25pm

Moving from General Education to Universal Education

The beliefs and educational worldview of teachers and administrators affect how Universal Design for Learning is implemented. General education is designed to “teach to the middle,” with special education services and supports added as needed. This is the core understanding that many educators layer UDL on top of. What is needed is a move from general/special education to universal education and universal instruction where every student, including students with significant cognitive challenges, can address grade level standards in a UDL environment. This Talk will address changes in perception in moving from a general/special education model to a universal education model.

Speakers

David Davis

David Davis coordinates the Technology & Learning Connections (TLC) unit of the Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project at the University of South Florida; providing statewide and regional support for assistive technology, accessible instructional materials, instructional... Read More →

icel udl crosswalk pdf

curriculum self assessment tool pdf

7th grade standards ap pdf

UDL IRN 2018 Davis edited pptx

7th Grade PS Practice pdf

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:25pm - 1:45pm
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

1:55pm

UDL and a Bag of Chips

What does a bag of Doritos have to do with UDL and how does it help a novice college marketing professor learn about and adopt UDL principles? Big brands and education are going through massive change, and so too am I. What’s clear, is that to be successful in today’s economy, we must find ways to proactively design for engagement, representation, and action & expression, or risk being irrelevant. What’s more, if we make learners practitioners of UDL, then they too will be prepared to work in our ever changing economy.

Speakers

Danny Smith

I live at the intersection of education, technology, and communications. Over the past 5 years, I have worked at George Brown College, managing teams in Publishing, eLearning & Teaching Innovation, and classroom Information Technology Systems; and recently managing a UDL pilot project... Read More →

End of Average UDL and a Bag of Chips Danny Smith hand out docx

End of Average UDL and a Bag of Chips Danny Smith hand out pdf

End of Average UDL and a Bag of Chips Danny Smith pdf

End of Average UDL and a Bag of Chips Danny Smith pptx

Thursday April 26, 2018 1:55pm - 2:15pm
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

2:30pm

Reconvene

Thursday April 26, 2018 2:30pm - 2:50pm
Citrus Crown Ballroom

Summit-Wide Event

2:35pm

The Future of Learning Environments: Furniture and Spaces that are Transforming Education

How does environment enable students and educators to achieve learning outcomes? Jolene Levin and David Grunseit, directors at NorvaNivel, share their experiences working with leading educators, architects and thousands of schools to create purposeful flexible learning spaces. They will show how furniture and design can facilitate specific learning activities; support the emotional and social well-being of learners; and be adaptable for evolving pedagogy, STEAM curriculum, and relevance today and into the future.

Speakers

David Grunseit

Director, NorvaNivel

Jolene Levin

Director, NorvaNivel

Thursday April 26, 2018 2:35pm - 2:50pm
Citrus Crown Ballroom

UDL Talk

2:50pm

UDL as Diffusion of Innovation

From agriculture to business to education, the theory of Diffusion of Innovation (DOI), explains how, over time, an idea or product gains momentum and diffuses through the population. In short, this theory explains why some innovations explode, while others lag. In this interactive UDL Talk, Katie Novak will provide options for all educators to understand what we have to do to ensure that UDL continues to diffuse throughout the education world. Then, Novak will issue a challenge to take action...

Speakers

Katie Novak

Katie Novak, Ed.D. is an internationally renowned education consultant as well as a practicing leader in education as an Assistant Superintendent of Schools at the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District in Massachusetts. With 15 years of experience in teaching and administration... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 2:50pm - 3:10pm
Citrus Crown Ballroom

UDL Talk

3:20pm

Planning K-8 computer science instruction through the UDL framework

This presentation highlights findings from a National Science Foundation STEM+C study that examines instructional strategies that support students with disabilities and other struggling learners through (1) Universal Design for Learning (UDL), (2) balancing explicit instruction and open inquiry CS activities, and (3) promoting student collaboration. The main focus of this presentation is on how teachers implemented the UDL framework within K-8 computer science (CS) activities, including challenges and promising practices. Additionally, implications for practice and future research directions will be shared.

Speakers

Dr. Maya Israel

Maya Israel, Ph.D. is an associate professor of special education at the University of Illinois and research director of the Creative Technology Research lab. She researches ways of supporting students with disabilities and other struggling learners’ meaningful engagement in STEM... Read More →

Todd Lash

Todd Lash, MSEd. is a doctoral student in the Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois and a research assistant at the Creative Technology Research Lab. His research interests include helping to create equitable, engaging and inclusive computer science and computational... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 3:20pm - 3:40pm
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

3:20pm

Making Connections: UDL Meets Student-Centered Learning Principles

Student-centered learning approaches are drawn from the mind/brain sciences, learning theory, and research on youth development. They are essential to students’ full engagement in achieving deeper learning outcomes. The four principles of student-centered learning approaches – personalized, competency-based, taking place anytime or anywhere, and student owned – are well aligned with universal design learning. JFF’s Students at the Center invites UDL-IRN Summit participants to a structured networking conversation about how these two overlapping field efforts can work together to create effective learning environments that engage every student - regardless of skill or economic level - and prepare them for college, career, and civic success.

JFF is a national nonprofit that drives change in American education and workforce systems to accelerate economic advancement for all. To learn more about our student-centered framework, see https://studentsatthecenterhub.org/interactive-framework/; and to review JFF’s work with student centered learning research, please visit: studentsatthecenterhub.org/resource/research-collaborative/.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Felicia Sullivan

Associate Research Director, Jobs for the Future

Dr. Felicia Sullivan is an Associate Research Director at JFF working with its Students at theCenter team. She works with statewide education leaders in New Hampshire in a researchpractice partnership to understand the diffusion and scale of deeper learning outcomes usingstudent... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 3:20pm - 4:20pm
Universal E

Interactive Learning Session

3:20pm

NorvaNivel Furniture Lab and Space Design Playground

Come learn about the furniture in the Interactive Learning Village provided by NorvaNivel!

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

David Grunseit

Director, NorvaNivel

Jolene Levin

Director, NorvaNivel

Thursday April 26, 2018 3:20pm - 4:20pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

3:20pm

UDL in Maker Spaces, Music, and Design Thinking

Like UDL? Like Maker Spaces? Like Music? Like Design Thinking?
This is for you. Come and apply UDL to think about learner variability, making, and music.
Come and engage in design thinking to apply UDL and design thinking to David Rose, The Stones, and Lady Gaga!
Leave with variability in mind, and leave with some awesome music mixes!!!

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Jose Blackorby

Director of Research and Development, CAST

Jose Blackorby is the Director of Research and Development at CAST and a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). He has been working to improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities for more than 20 years. He has led large-scale national studies, designed... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 3:20pm - 4:20pm
Universal D

Interactive Learning Session

3:20pm

Network & Learn Live!

Join us for our Network and Learn Series LIVE!

Thursday April 26, 2018 3:20pm - 4:20pm
Citrus Crown Ballroom

Summit-Wide Event

3:50pm

Supporting Personalized Learning and Competency-Based Recognition - Lessons from Micro-credentials in the Field

Educators earn credentials at the beginning of their careers, but the new skills they learn and demonstrate in their classrooms every day often go unrecognized. While educators typically receive recognition for the hours they spend in traditional professional development, they often don’t have the opportunity to demonstrate the full breadth of what they have learned, including in informal contexts.

To address this challenge, Digital Promise has built a coalition of educators and partners to establish a micro-credential system that recognizes educators for the skills they master throughout their careers.

Micro-credentials enable educators to identify concrete skills or competencies they want to focus on or develop in response to the needs of their students or classrooms. As a result, the educator drives their own learning goals and demonstrates that learning through micro-credentials. This talk will highlight how competency-based, personalized professional learning through micro-credentials is an authentic recognition of what educators are putting into practice, how they are demonstrating that, and why it is important.

Speakers

Odelia Younge

Partnership Director, Educator Micro-credentials, Digital Promise

Odelia Younge is the Partnership Director for the Educator Micro-credentials initiative at Digital Promise. Prior to joining Digital Promise, Odelia spent several years as a classroom educator teaching Reading and Language Arts. She left the classroom to pursue research in the sociology... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 3:50pm - 4:10pm
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

6:00pm

UDL Block Party Sponsored by Ai-Media

You don't want to miss this UDL event! Join other #UDLrockstars as we celebrate UDL with activities, food trucks, and networking!

Sponsored by Ai-Media

Thursday April 26, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Parking Lot

Social Gathering

9:00am

Welcome Day 2

Friday April 27, 2018 9:00am - 9:30am
Citrus Crown Ballroom

Summit-Wide Event

9:30am

Translating UDL: An Aotearoa New Zealand story

Imagine the implementation of UDL in a country as a cloak of many woven strands. This presentation will map one strand in the evolution of UDL in Aotearoa New Zealand. Using resources and materials made during the journey, Chrissie will give an overview of how an approach developed in the US can have relevance and be a positive enabler for inclusion across cultures and continents.

Speakers

Chrissie Butler

Chrissie works alongside schools and the wider education sector supporting strategic planning and blended professional learning in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), e-learning, and inclusive practices. She also holds responsibility for the continuing development of the Ministry... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 9:30am - 9:50am
Citrus Crown Ballroom

UDL Talk

9:50am

Give Me Precision or Give Me Death!

UDL has rightly taken a place on the mantle of effective and essential tools in teachers' repertoires. However, some experts believe UDL's greatest asset (its inherent flexibility for supporting creation of meaningful learning experiences) is also its greatest weakness (you can't be precise in practice or measurement when a framework is so broad). In this UDL Talk, a longtime skeptic of UDL offers thoughts on the need to be more precise in how we think about and measure practices under the UDL framework, and delivers a challenge to the field to be more precise on behalf of students with disabilities and others who struggle.

Speakers

Dr. Michael Kennedy

Michael Kennedy is an Associate Professor of Special Education at the University of Virginia and is the Co-Editor of Journal of Special Education Technology. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Teacher Education Division (TED) and Tech- nology and Media (TAM) Division... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 9:50am - 10:10am
Citrus Crown Ballroom

UDL Talk

10:10am

UDL Research: Priorities and Tools

The UDL-IRN Research Committee will present information on research priorities identified by UDL experts and describe efforts to develop tools to assist UDL researchers and practitioners. This session will provide an overview of work in progress and tools developed over the past year.

Friday April 27, 2018 10:10am - 10:40am
Citrus Crown Ballroom

Summit-Wide Event

10:15am

Flying High on UDL: What One State Discovered

Throughout the UDL Universe, networking meetings are taking place. But just how productive are they? Do these meetings really have an impact? During this interactive session, participants will take away some additional strategies that could lead to more productive meetings. As a state-wide organization, we have discovered some tools and activities you can add to your tool belt to enhance the impact of your collaborative meetings. Discover how white paper lunches, UDL laced share outs, and tools from implementation science can add to the productivity of your meetings. Bring your best ideas to share at our session.

https://padlet.com/julie_weyandt22/OhioUDL

https://www.edmodo.com/home#/group?id=25454136

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Speakers

Denise Malkovits

Denise Malkovits works as a consultant with State Support Team Region 5 in Ohio, specializing in inclusive best practices, including co-teaching strategies and structures and universal design for learning. She has taught both general and special education at the elementary, middle... Read More →

Steve Ramos

Steve Ramos is in his 19th year of education and has had a variety of professional experiences including: teaching English to secondary students, building administrator, regional coordinator for a federal grant, teaching at the collegiate level, consulting work with CAST, and serving... Read More →

Ron Rogers

Ron Rogers is a Regional Consultant for the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence and works directly with all of Ohio’s State Support Teams on Universal Design for Learning. He is the vice chair of the State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children and an Ohio Positive Behavioral... Read More →

Cherie Smith

Julie Weyandt

Julie Weyandt is an educational consultant with the State Support Team Region 9. She co-facilitates trainings on Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Prior to joining the State Support Team, Julie worked as a curriculum director, gifted coordinator, RE coordinator, testing coordinator... Read More →

Ohio UDL Collaborative pptx

Friday April 27, 2018 10:15am - 12:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

10:15am

Time to get ILL: Inclusive and Immersive Learning using AR and VR

This session will examine how the emerging technologies of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are powerful resources for UDL implementation. These emerging technologies will be explored in an interactive session with plenty of time for hands on learning.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Don McMahon

Dr. Don McMahon was a special education teacher for 7 years and then became an instructional Co-teaching coach for general education and special education teachers. Don graduated from the Special Education Ph.D. program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition to... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 10:15am - 12:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

10:15am

Universal Ecosystems for Education

Imagine a universally designed educational ecosystem. A structure. A network where relationships between people, ideas, and initiatives come together to provide a student experience built on community, voice, universal design, skill mastery, and personalized pathways. New Hampshire is building this ecosystem. In this Interactive Session, state officials, teachers, and parents, will teach you how. Attendees will walk away from this session with tools and materials they can use to begin strategically planning similar endeavours that utilize universally designed for learning principles to their fullest, systemic potential.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Greg Amend

NHDOE UDL Scholar, New Hampshire Department of Education

Frank Edelblut

Frank Edelblut, the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education, is an ardent believer in personalized learning and using parent and student voice to shape students’ educational experiences. He was sworn in as the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education on February 16, 2017. As Commissioner... Read More →

Mary T. Lane

What is UDL? png

Ecosystems pptx

NHUDL Innovation Network pdf

National CLAS Standards pdf

Friday April 27, 2018 10:15am - 12:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

10:35am

UDL: A Trojan Horse for Accessibility

Many understand that accessibility is foundational to UDL, but accessibility practices continue to be some of the most challenging to include and most often overlooked in everyday UDL implementation. How do you know if something is accessible? How do you make something accessible? If it’s accessible, does that mean it's accessible to everyone? Why is accessibility important in your learning environment? It’s time to take advantage of the growing UDL movement to highlight accessibility as an essential component to successful and effective UDL implementation. Our current and future learners are depending on us.

Speakers

Mindy Johnson

Director of Digital Communications & Outreach, CAST

Friday April 27, 2018 10:35am - 10:55am
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

10:40am

UDL Credentialing and Certification Initiative

Friday April 27, 2018 10:40am - 11:00am
Citrus Crown Ballroom

Summit-Wide Event

11:00am

UDL: Beyond Framework to Educational Operating System

So you’re here, you’re a UDL true believer! But you’re starting to realize that Universal Design for Learning is a massive idea… or framework...or paradigm shift… or “whatever”. Especially when you start thinking about implementation in learning environments. You don’t want it to be “just another initiative” but you also realize there are so many other initiatives for it to compete with. What are you to do? Well, what if we didn’t view UDL as an initiative? What if it wasn’t THE thing? What if it was larger? What if we reconsidered it as an Operating System for learner centered design. What if it wasn’t THE thing but the architecture that structures everything? In this End of Average Talk we’ll examine the characteristics of UDL as something larger than we thought but still driven by human and learner centered design.

Speakers

Bryan Dean

UDL-IRN

Friday April 27, 2018 11:00am - 11:20am
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

11:15am

Connecting the UDL story to your community

Experience a workshop of flexible practical activities that can used to build connections to UDL. Aimed at those who teach and introduce UDL to others. If you are new to UDL, you are also really welcome to have a bit of a UDL immersion experience. This workshop will build on the stories from the Translating UDL talk.

UDLIRN Summit 2018 Chrissie Butler's workshop materials

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Chrissie Butler

Friday April 27, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Palm Beach/Broward

Breakout Session

11:15am

Indigenous Perspectives on UDL

Indigenous worldviews promote an emphasis on interdependence rather than independence, and self-actualization through the lens of community actualization. In this session, we will explore the lessons to be learned from these wisdom keepers through a UDL lens, and their implications for the implementation of UDL in our schools.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Jennifer Katz

Dr. Katz received her PhD in 2008 from the University of British Columbia in inclusive education. She is the author of “Teaching to Diversity: The Three Block Model of Universal Design for Learning” and "Resource Teacher: A Changing Role in the Three-Block Model of UDL". Her third... Read More →

UDL IRN 2018 pdf

Friday April 27, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal E

Breakout Session

11:15am

One Elementary School Office gets a UDL Makeover

This presentation looks at how pre-service teachers learned about UDL by completing an assignment to attempt to use the frame of UDL to create more accessibility in an Elementary School Office. The University students interviewed users of an elementary school office environment. University students then created a plan for the office environment to be more accessible for all users, in particular those in the margins (i.e., students with special education needs, families with students who experience special education needs). The potential benefits include providing a record of the process for the participants, research reflections, and an example of a school striving to provide access to the school office environment for all users.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Kimberly Coy

Kimberly Coy was an early adopter of online and digital environments. Ten years ago she worked to develop an inclusive fully online school for elementary students. At the time Dr. Coy said she felt like she was teaching on Mars. An avid Star Trek fan, this was immensely satisfying... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Sarasot/Hillsboro

Breakout Session

11:15am

Sustainable UDL Implementation: Planning to Scale

This session will provide models and tools to help teacher-leaders, school administrators and district facilitators to build UDL implementation structures that promote efficient use of resources and sustained growth to scale. Implementation structures will be discussed that concurrently connect, refine and leverage innovations at all levels to promote multi-year change. Participants will develop action plans to match models and tools to the scope of opportunities for implementation in their school or district.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Bill McGrath

Bill has over ten years experience as a coach and consultant for classroom, school, district and state level implementation of UDL.

Linda Wilson

Mrs, Montgomery County Public Schools

Linda Bastiani Wilson is a Special Educator who has over 20 years of experience in Assistive Technology. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from The George Washington University. Linda has been part of the High Incidence Accessible Technology Team in... Read More →

Tools for Sustainable UDL Implementation pdf

Friday April 27, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Indian River/Cape Canaveral

Breakout Session

11:15am

UDL Instruments and Measurements

This presentation will provide an overview of instruments and measures used in UDL environments. Based on a review of published UDL research, we will present a sample of measures that meet reasonable standards for technical adequacy. We will focus on approaches to measuring students’ outcomes in UDL settings that are related to being an “expert learner”: (a) purpose/motivation/work ethic; (b) resourcefulness; (c) executive functioning; (d) social skills; (e) basic academic skills; (f) content knowledge; and (g) engagement. In addition, existing instruments to measure UDL implementation will be presented. Finally, challenges in UDL measurements will be discussed.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Anya S. Evmenova

Anya S. Evmenova is an associate profession in the Division of Special Education and disability Research at the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. She teaches courses in research methods, special education, assistive technology, and UDL. Her primary... Read More →

Kimberly Johnson

Kimberly Johnson was a special education teacher in the public school system for 20 years prior to completing her Ph.D. in educational psychology and special education. In the K-12 school system, she taught elementary, middle, and high school students with disabilities in a variety... Read More →

Dr. Eric Moore

Eric is an experienced educator with over a decade of teaching experience including K-12 and higher education, nationally and internationally. He is an active member of the UDL-IRN research committee and manages the IRN internship program. Presently, he conducts private consultations... Read More →

Cynthia Okolo

MeasuresInstruments UDL IRN2018 Final pdf

Friday April 27, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal F

Breakout Session

11:15am

Unlocking Equity and Access Through Evidence-Based Decision Making

This session underscores the importance of evidence-based decision making as it relates to the use of research, best in class analysis, and the strategic use of qualitative and quantitate data in a K-12 environment. Specific examples from the field will be shared such as the use of thematic coding protocols, logic modeling, and validating/verifying root causes. Participants will walk away with some practical ways to integrate evidence-based decision making into their UDL implementation work. This session is geared toward practicing K-12 leaders and does not require participants to have any background in evidence-based practice.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Kristan Rodriguez

Founder and CEO, Rodriguez Educational Consulting Agency, LLC.

Dr. Kristan Rodriguez is the Founder of the Rodriguez Educational Consulting Agency, LLC (RECA). RECA specializes in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) training, state department consultation, and educational consultation to schools and private industry. Dr. Rodriguez travels across... Read More →

UDL IRN Evidence Based Decision Making pdf

Friday April 27, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal C

Breakout Session

11:15am

Voices of experts in Universal Design for Learning

Universal design for learning as a framework for designing instruction that assumes the diversity of all students and provides flexible and intentional means for ensuring learning has been around for close to twenty years. Over the years, the framework and its understanding have considerably evolved. In this research project, we interviewed 19 experts in UDL. The group of participants consisted of experts conducting current research on UDL as well as those with historical background in UDL. The findings focus on experts’ perspectives on UDL’s definition, measurement, relationship to policy, and other issues.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Aleksandra Hollingshead

Kathy Howery

Kathy Howery is an educational consultant and a sessional lecturer at several Alberta universities. Kathy has published in the area of UDL and students with significant intellectual disabilities, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. In addition Kathy has co-authored several... Read More →

Dr. Alisa K. Lowrey

Friday April 27, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Universal D

Breakout Session

11:15am

What is the Role of Executive Function in Expert Learning?

Following directions, beginning an assignment, knowing what to do with open-ended questions or prompts, managing time and materials, making a plan, and prioritizing what is most important all require the complex systems of the brain to complete any number of involuntary tasks. In classrooms around the world, educators may report that a number of learners can easily disengage from complex, multi-step tasks or may even exhibit behaviors that present as avoidant or impulsive. What do these behaviors signal and how do we best support all learners proactively in order to promote and build their own, most efficient expert learning skills and strategies?
This interactive, breakout session will be focused on understanding executive function and dysfunction through a UDL lens with the goal of promoting expert learning.

https://bit.ly/2vEIY3L

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Alexis Reid

Alexis has worked in a variety of educational settings and is currently the Director of Learning-Based Services at the Boston Child Study Center (BCSC). Currently she is focused on helping to improve executive function skills training through a strengths-based and mindfulness approach... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 11:15am - 12:15pm
Dade/Florida Keys

Breakout Session

11:25am

UDL in 3D!

When asked to define UDL, many stakeholders split between focusing on the design process or focusing on the guidelines. Or, on focusing on teacher behavior or student decision making as the independent variable. I propose that the attempt to focus on UDL as a univariate construct, resulting in "two-dimensional" views of UDL has been useful, but limited. In this talk, I presented my idea for moving UDL into a 3D perspective, and the implications this has for research, measurement, and practice.

Speakers

Dr. Eric Moore

Friday April 27, 2018 11:25am - 11:45am
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

11:50am

Expanding the Margins of Expert Learning

As educators, it is our responsibility to inspire students to become experts at learning. With an achievement gap that still exists, we must look at all students and their strengths as agents of much-needed change. In UDL, we have a framework to make that happen. As CAST defines, expert learners are purposeful & motivated, knowledgeable & resourceful, and strategic & goal-oriented. These qualities transcend age, education level, ability, or disability. In a universally designed learning environment, expert learners can be vulnerable in their weaknesses and have courage to try multiple paths until they find options that lead to success.

Speakers

Kate Edgren

UDL Facilitator, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation

Friday April 27, 2018 11:50am - 12:10pm
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

12:15pm

Lunch

Friday April 27, 2018 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Citrus Crown Ballroom

Summit-Wide Event

12:30pm

Universal Captioning: Not Just for Students...

When we consider the impact of captioning, our thoughts are usually focused on the support provided to people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing but actually, most of the wider population gains a benefit - much as they do from Universal Design. From the preschool, pre-reader toddler, those who have English as an additional language, to the elderly whose hearing is diminishing naturally with age, all gain a universal benefit from captioning.

Speakers

Eileen Hopkins

Executive Director, Ai-Media

Eileen Hopkins joined Ai-Media in 2013 as an autism consultant, and was appointed Executive Director, Ai-Media UK in July 2014. Eileen has held senior Directorships in a number of organisations including The National Autistic Society and the ASD research organisation Autistica. She... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 12:30pm - 12:40pm
Citrus Crown Ballroom

UDL Talk

1:15pm

An Equity-Based Approach to Co-designing UDL Learning Environments

Co-design of learning environments, with explicit accounting for the socio-historical underpinnings of educational inequities and disparities in America, has been missing in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) discourse and implementation. Accordingly, UDL has primarily accounted for the interactions among micro-level (individual) variables, while disregarding their dynamic interaction with macro-level (structural) variables. This discussion proposes an equity-based approach to co-designing UDL learning environments, which leverages innovative policy, programs, and practices across multiple fields of practice.

Speakers

Gayitri Kavita Indar

University of Kansas

Gayitri Kavita Indar is a doctoral student working with Dr. James Basham in the InstructionalDesign Technology and Innovation (IDTI) specialization at the University of Kansas. Sheinvestigates the educational impact of intersecting inequities and disparities across fields ofpractice... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 1:20pm
Universal Center

Ignite Talk

1:15pm

Co-Creating a Learing Community: UDL in a Post-Secondary Access Program

This session will describe our experimentation with UDL in a long running Toronto-based post-secondary transitional program that is designed to support students who identify their mental health and/or substance use as barriers to further education. Our reflections on the intersection of UDL, social justice and co-creation in this specific context, and our passion for this practice, will be used to engage participants in reflective experimentation regarding their own practices. As faculty in this program, we are aware that in co-creating a learning environment that includes ourselves along with learners, we are able to dispense with the need to be 'experts' and instead become allies in relational processes that have the potential to meet the variability and needs of all members of the community.
Through an interactive activity, we will invite participants to experiment with a process of co-creating a just and equitable learning environment and to reflect upon their own learning needs and preferences, as well as experiencing the self-advocacy and community-building that develops when we state clearly how we learn best.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Johanna Petite

Jo Petite (MSW, RSW) is an educator, social worker, and program coordinator for the Transitions to Post-Secondary Education program at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. She develops and teaches curriculum designed to support marginalized adult learners to articulate and access... Read More →

Tracy Whitfield

I identify as a queer woman with a disability who has an MSW and additional graduate work in Critical Disability Studies. During my sixteen-year career I have worked in community mental health and education with a focus on UDL and anti-oppressive work. I have designed technologies... Read More →

HANDOUT Brainstorm worksheet pdf

HANDOUT Experiment Instructions pdf

NOTES PAGE Co Creating a Learning Community pdf

PRESENTATION Co Creating a Learning Community pptx

PRESENTATION Co Creating a Learning Community pdf

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal F

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Improving Educational Technology Use for Students with Disabilities

This study focuses on how to use educational technology (Edtech) to meet the needs of K-2 students with disabilities. Researchers conducted interviews with 59 participants from 16 states, including special education professionals, parents and general education teachers of K-2 students with disabilities, and school administrators. The study findings address: (1) current use of Edtech in schools and at home; (2) future needs for Edtech; and (3) recommendations to improve the use of Edtech programs with students with disabilities. The study will shed light on how to develop, design, and implement Edtech programs to meet the needs of all students.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Laura Gluck

Dr. Linlin Li

Dr. Linlin Li is a Senior Research Associate in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program at WestEd. Dr. Li brings a highly sophisticated approach to research and program evaluation, including quasi-experimental and experimental designs, mixed methods, and... Read More →

Rachel Tripathy

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Sarasot/Hillsboro

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Improving Inclusive Middle School Science Teachers’ Vocabulary Instruction: A Multimedia Professional Development Process

Students with disabilities are usually included within rigorous content area courses and therefore receive instruction from general education teachers. Although inclusion is net positive, instruction is often not a match for how students with disabilities learn. We introduce an IES-sponsored multimedia-based professional development process to support middle school science teachers' vocabulary instruction. The three pronged PD process includes instructional modeling videos, customizable vocabulary lessons, and data-driven feedback and coaching. Each component reflects principles of UDL. Results of three experimental trials with teacher and student outcomes will be shared as evidence of effectiveness.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dr. Michael Kennedy

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal D

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Incorporating Inclusive Assessment and Universal Design within the curriculum.

Universal Design within education refers to developing course content, assessment, teaching materials and delivery methods to be accessible by all students including students with disability. The goal of applying UD design principles to assessments is to design and develop assessments that allow participation & success for all students. There is limited focus on inclusive assessment within the current assessment regime, which mainly consists of traditional assessment practices such as examinations and essays. This presentation will introduce the broad principles of Universal Design in assessment as covered in literature and the importance of incorporating multiple means of representation, action, expression and engagement within assessments. The presentation will explore how incorporating Universal Design principles within the curriculum can improve outcomes for students and reduce faculty workload. We will provide an overview of the practical steps, which we have taken at Sydney University to begin the transformation of assessment planning to ensure that universal design principles are incorporated in the process.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Dagmar Kminiak

A management professional with a Psychology and Rehabilitation background. Dagmar has over 13 years experience in the Disability Services field and extensive experience in implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, programs and policies. Dagmar has directed both her education... Read More →

Terri Mears

Terri has over 20 years’ experience in the UK and Australia as an OT and a manager within the Disability Sector. Her experience in education includes provision of OT services in schools and the provision of professional development and training to staff, clients and students in... Read More →

Thinking Accessiblity Cheatsheet pdf

UDL Graphic Organizer pdf

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal C

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Inquire, Investigate, Innovate: UDL at the Intersection of School Improvement Goals

This session will explore how the P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School is increasing the school’s capacity to respond to learner variability through new teacher induction, job-embedded professional development, practitioner research, and other professional learning opportunities.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Christy Gabbard

Christy Gabbard, M.Ed. is the Director of Program Development and Outreach at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School at the University of Florida.In more than 15 years in education she has taught elementary, middle, and high school students, specializing in reading intervention... Read More →

Dr. Jon Mundorf

Teacher, P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School at the University of Florida

Jon Mundorf is an award-winning National Board Certified 7th grade English Language Arts Teacher at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School at the University of Florida. Dr. Mundorf enjoys sharing his experiences with others and has done so at conferences and workshops around the... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Indian River/Cape Canaveral

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Leading the UDL Transformation in Higher Ed: A Panel of UDL Pioneers

One thing we know with confidence is that UDL is enhanced through synergy on campus. We also know that there are many UDL practitioners who feel that their work is being conducted in relative isolation, and thus reduced potential effectiveness. This panel speaks to practical ways to break out of independent practice toward a community of practice in UDL. In addition to the structured Q+A questions that will underscore key points and represent the different stakeholders, this panel will conclude by opening for questions so attendees can get ideas specific to their own stage of implementation and needs.
Panel: Adria Battagalia, Rob Spirko, William MyHill, Christopher Hromalik, Darla Benton Kearne, Jodie Black, Eric Moore

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Jodie Black

Jodie Black has worked in post-secondary accessibility services and curriculum development for 9 years. Her passion is working collaboratively to create quality, accessible learning experiences for all learners at the college level. Jodie is a Teaching and Learning Specialist at Fleming... Read More →

Dr. Eric Moore

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Dade/Florida Keys

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Time to go!: Unlocking Doors to the Next Generation of Learners through Effective UDL Implementation

This presentation highlights a previously published phenomenological study that explored the understanding, experience, and application of UDL methodology among teacher candidates enrolled in a special and elementary education dual licensure program. The emerging themes from the study demonstrated that the teacher candidatesf understanding and application of UDL were promoted by the UDL training received through modeling and implementation in supervised clinical field experiences. This presentation will focus on the UDL resources and tools that are ready to be demonstrated, modeled, and implemented in K-12 classrooms and higher education classrooms. Types of UDL tools, demonstrations, and modeling strategies will be presented and discussed with the session participants.

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Speakers

Dr. Nicole Dobbins

Dr. Nicole Dobbins is an Associate Professor of Special Education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&TSU). Her scholarship focuses on the effectiveness of educational strategies in inclusive classroom settings for students with disabilities, social... Read More →

Dr. Teresa Little

Dr. Teresa Little is currently a Clinical Associate Professor of Special Education at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). She teaches undergraduate and graduate special education courses; supervises practicum, clinical, and student teaching experiences; and mentors... Read More →

Dr. Natsuko Takemae-Sells

Dr. Takemae-Sells works with students from diverse backgrounds in a secondary inclusive classroom. Her professional experience includes working with students with disabilities and their typically developing peers in inclusive settings, as well as working with teacher candidates in... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Palm Beach/Broward

Breakout Session

1:15pm

Creating Inclusive Classrooms with Microsoft Accessibility

Meet the Microsoft Education and Accessibility Experts to learn how Microsoft’s products can help you create more inclusive learning environments that meet the needs of every learner and help you achieve compliance with changing accessibility laws. We will demonstrate how you can easily create accessible and engaging classroom content using Office 365, leverage free, built-in AT in Windows 10 to personalize learning, enhance productivity for blind/low vision students with new intelligent services, and introduce you to new reading and writing tools with proven outcomes for students with dyslexia. We will also discuss Microsoft’s approach to accessibility testing and customer conformance statements and share tips for educators and procurement professionals based on our experience as both a supplier and purchaser.

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Speakers

Michael Heyns

Program Manager, Microsoft

Program Manager for Microsoft Word working on education related features and on enhancements for individuals with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, emerging readers, and language learners. Responsible for the implementation of Learning Tools support in Microsoft Word.

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

1:15pm

Is There an App for That? Using UDL as a Lens for App Implementation

The explosion of Apps and the mobile devices increasingly made available in schools, our community, and within the home environment, offer tremendous opportunities for struggling learners and their peers with disabilities. With all the promise, one of the challenges with the ever growing number of Apps, is finding the right App appropriate to the needs of the individual. This presentation will focus on how through the UDL Framework we can utilize Apps, web-based resources, and similar innovative solutions to find the right App, redesign and plan our instruction, and apply it to the needs of all learners. Participants will explore search tools, Apps, video-based resources, and the ways individuals and innovators have developed tools to find that right App.

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Speakers

Dr. Sean Smith

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

1:15pm

PBS KIDS and UDL: Personalizing learning games

Demonstrate key personalization features of the game, share video of kids playing the game that shows how it adapts to individual learner abilities, and invite participants to play side-by-side and compare the experience - what features did they find helpful or distracting. What other options could the game offer. The demo would include the opportunity for participants to create their own levels and play each others. Here is a link to the game: https://pbskids.org/ruff/sports/game

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Speakers

Jen Rodriguez

Jen Rodriguez is the Director of Digital Learning for the PBS KIDS team. In her work she collaborates with researchers, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) experts, adaptivity platform developers, game designers, and producers to identify opportunities for integrating personalized... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

1:15pm

UDL Implementation Fidelity - Seeking Wisdom from the Crowd

UDL novices and experts alike are invited to attend this interactive session where they will have the opportunity to try out a simple tool designed to measure UDL implementation fidelity. Participants will learn about how the tool was developed and they will be shown how to use the tool. They will practice using the tool to measure UDL implementation fidelity after examining a lesson plan and viewing a video recorded lesson. After using the tool, participants will be asked to rate the tool and engage in a discussion about usability and validity of the tool.

Submit an evaluation for this session.

Speakers

Kimberly Johnson

Friday April 27, 2018 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Universal Center

Interactive Learning Session

1:25pm

Virtual AND Realistic: Building Interactive and Authentic Online UDL Communities of Practice

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but when it comes to professional learning, there’s nothing like seeing and experiencing in REAL classrooms, in REAL time, from REAL teachers. How do we create more opportunities to learn from and with colleagues and experienced teacher practitioners, particularly when opportunities to get outside of our own classrooms are scarce? Join me as we embark on a UDL Virtual Site Visit. In this brief talk, I’ll outline and demonstrate a process I’m piloting to expand opportunities for professional collaboration and learning around UDL beyond the constraints of school buildings, calendars, schedules, sub availability and more.

Virtual AND Realistic Slides

Speakers

Corinn Hower

Corinn Hower is an Assistive Technology Consultant for the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District in Muskegon, Michigan. In addition to facilitating professional development and coaching around UDL and AT for districts within her county, Corinn serves as a member of the UDL-IRN... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 1:25pm - 1:35pm
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

1:45pm

Designing the Inclusive Future of Learning: Emerging Technologies, UDL, and a lot of questions.

Designing the Inclusive Future is not something that is covered most job descriptions but it is going be the job of all educators. Futurists help us examine how new technologies will create societal changes and we are about to have a tidal wave of new educational technologies. This brief UDL Talk by “Inclusive Futurist” Dr. Don McMahon will explore how emerging educational technologies connect to the UDL framework and how we can use them to design a more inclusive future for everyone. While these new technologies have great promise, they will also present us with new questions and challenges we need to address.

Speakers

Dr. Don McMahon

Friday April 27, 2018 1:45pm - 2:05pm
Universal Center

End of Average Talk

2:30pm

Thinking About the Future of UDL

Friday April 27, 2018 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Citrus Crown Ballroom

Summit-Wide Event