What you'll learn

  • Deepen your knowledge of UDL and develop a strong understanding of how it can be applied across various learning environments, both brick-and-mortar and virtual.

  • Learn the principles behind “variability” – the neuroscience associated with UDL that states all individuals learn in unique and different ways.

  • Examine UDL “in action” and observe how it is applied in the classroom.

  • Integrate a solid foundation of the UDL Design Process and recognize how it can provide educators with a process to discover, frame, and address meaningful problems of practice.

  • Identify strategies to surface and refine a clear problem of practice that can be addressed through a focused understanding of UDL.

  • Create a UDL action plan that addresses your problem of practice.

Course description

To address the remarkable variability among students and across learning environments, educators are increasingly turning to Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL offers a framework for guiding the design of learning opportunities that are inclusive and challenging for all learners.

Finding time to explore, apply, and implement new frameworks and practices can be difficult, which is why we've designed a comprehensive yet flexible UDL experience. The progression through the UDL content reflects the process of new initiatives in schools. The learning pathway begins with discovering the content, explored as either an individual, a small team, or a group. The next step comprises action planning through application in one or a few areas of your specific educational context, transforming into a team-based process, enabling scalable change and shared understanding across a school or system.

The Universal Design for Learning Practitioner Certificate is designed for individuals and teams of educators hoping to build toward meaningful practice by learning about UDL and experiencing it as participants. The series includes two coordinated program offerings:

  • Universal Design for Learning: Explore is a three-week asynchronous online workshop in which you’ll learn and begin to apply foundational content, individually or alongside a team or group of colleagues
  • Universal Design for Learning: Apply is a three-week virtual institute where you’ll participate in weekly synchronous online sessions* with the UDL teaching team as you work to refine your UDL action plan, individually or with your team, supported by expert practitioner facilitators

Full participation in this flexible learning community will enable educators to deepen their understanding and application of UDL; be supported to design and iterate on an action plan that addresses a problem of practice from a UDL perspective; and receive continuous support in implementing, reflecting on, and refining their action plan. Further, participants will build connections and become a part of a vast virtual community that will support them to grow and sustain their UDL practice into the future. The certificate welcomes interest and registrations from all practitioners in the field. Synchronous online sessions will be recorded and available for viewing on the online course platform.

Course Outline

Who Should Attend

We look forward to collaborating with participants who have a basic understanding of UDL, are eager to deepen their UDL practice, and are motivated to develop into UDL leaders at their schools. Please note that a strong background in UDL is not required to begin this Professional Learning Series.

Individual educators may participate in both UDL: Explore and UDL: Apply, and team enrollment is encouraged throughout the series. We strongly advise that teams include a cross-section of stakeholders, including:

  • School staff: teachers, paraprofessionals, instructional leaders, principals, grade level leads, curriculum specialists, department leads, coordinators, and other school and classroom-based leaders
  • District staff: superintendents, chief academic officers, union leadership, instructional coaches, and other district-based leaders

Instructors

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