Blended Learning, Teaching and Universal Design

Universally Designed Blended Learning

Catlin Tucker

MAY 3, 2021

In my upcoming book, I teamed up with Dr. Katie Novak to explore the complementary nature of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and blended learning. UDL is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn.”

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Learning Motivation

Universal Design for Learning and Blended Learning: Engagement

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that is based on a scientific understanding of how people learn. The goal of UDL is to design “barrier-free, instructionally rich learning environments and lessons that provide access to all students” (Nelson, 2). Engagement. Self-Regulation.

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Learning

Universal Design for Learning and Blended Learning: Action and Expression

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020

In my last blog, I focused on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principle of representation. I described how blended and online learning can help educators provide opportunities for students to perceived and engage with information presented in multiple modalities. Check out my self-paced online course.

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Learning Textbooks

Universal Design for Learning and Blended Learning: Representation

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

In my last blog, I focused on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principle of engagement. I highlighted how blended learning can help educators more effectively provide multiple means of engagement to increase student motivation and ensure all students can successfully engage with learning experiences.

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Learning Feedback

Embrace Flexibility with Universally Designed Blended Learning

Catlin Tucker

JULY 8, 2021

As educators, we have the challenge and honor to teach a dynamic and unique group of students each time a class period begins. I realize that flexibility can feel a bit daunting, both in our design work and as we facilitate a learning experience. So, what might flexibility look like when universally designing blended learning?

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Learning Feedback

Removing Barriers with UDL and Blended Learning

Catlin Tucker

MAY 11, 2021

Like many, this teacher felt intense pressure to teach the standards and wasn’t sure how to embrace Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and blended learning. The variability among learners demands flexibility in our design and assessment of learning. This is not unusual.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Learning Universal Design Disabilities

Combatting the Challenges of Whole Group Lessons with Blended Learning

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 5, 2021

When I work with teachers shifting to blended learning, I strive to establish the WHY driving our work together. I want teachers to understand the purpose and value of the shift to blended learning. Blended learning is not a reaction to a moment. Blended Learning Benefit #1: Student Agency.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Learning Motivation

UDL and Blended Learning: Removing Barriers with Design

Catlin Tucker

JUNE 21, 2021

I like to compare the teacher’s work designing learning experiences to the work of an architect. In my new book with Dr. Katie Novak, UDL and Blended Learning , I share a story about working with an architect to design a new home after my family lost our house in the Tubbs Fire in 2017.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Learning Lecturing Motivation

UDL and Blended Learning: Thriving in Flexible Learning Landscapes (has arrived!)

Catlin Tucker

JUNE 3, 2021

Today is the official launch of my newest book UDL and Blended Learning: Thriving in Flexible Learning Landscapes ! Explore how you can universally design blended learning to remove barriers, provide firm goals with flexible pathways, and cultivate expert learners who are motivated, resourceful, and strategic!

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Universal Design Learning Motivation

Prepare For Fall: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Blended Learning Self-paced Online Course

Catlin Tucker

JULY 30, 2021

Katie Novak and I wrote UDL and Blended Learning: Thriving in Flexible Learning Landscapes to support teachers in developing a mindset, skill set, and toolset nimble enough to traverse any teaching and learning landscape with confidence. It will take time and a willingness to pursue our own learning.

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Authentic Assessment Learning

Designing For Deeper Learning: Identifying Challenges and Prototyping Solutions

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 28, 2023

Through our online series, we explored the power of universally designed blended learning models to achieve deeper learning outcomes. Our discussions culminated in selecting specific challenges to explore in-depth, with the goal of prototyping solutions at the Learning Leaders Summit in Dubai.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Universal Design Learning Motivation

Shifting from Time-consuming Teacher-led Workflows to Sustainable Student-led Workflows

Catlin Tucker

JANUARY 10, 2022

Teaching has always been a demanding profession, but this school year takes the cake! Katie Novak to write a follow-up to our book UDL and Blended Learning. In our second book, UDL and Blended Learning 2: Shifting to Sustainable Student-led Workflows (coming out in spring 2022), we tackle 10 unsustainable teacher-led workflows.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Teachers Feedback

Standard-aligned Rubrics: Assessing Progress Toward Firm Goals While Allowing for Flexible Means

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

In our book UDL and Blended Learning , Dr. Katie Novak and I encourage teachers to work toward firm, often standards-aligned, goals. You can learn more about universally designing blended learning to give students more agency in my book UDL and Blended Learning or by taking my online, self-paced courses.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Essay Feedback Writing

Choice Boards: Benefits, Design Tips & Differentiation

Catlin Tucker

AUGUST 16, 2021

Student agency, or a students’ ability to make key decisions about their learning experience, is an essential aspect of blended learning. Student agency requires that we design our lessons to offer students meaningful choices.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Feedback Activities Universal Design

5 Strategies to Engage Learners Around Flipped Instruction

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 10, 2021

If you pair video with a meaningful activity designed to keep them actively engaged, you can maximize the effectiveness of that video, collect useful formative assessment data, and create a higher level of accountability.

Multiple Choice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions Blended Learning Discussions Art

Farewell, 2020: Lessons Learned

Catlin Tucker

DECEMBER 31, 2020

As an advocate of blended learning, my focus is on helping teachers design and facilitate learning experiences that are differentiated for specific groups of students and personalized for individual learners. 3 Students are capable of self-directed learning. 1 Relationships need to be our #1 priority.

Learning

Learning Blended Learning Assignments Feedback

Using AI in Service of Strong Pedagogical Practice

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

” I remember questioning how effective those sessions would be at improving teaching and learning. Yes, attendees were exposed to a list of fun tools they might use, but they were not learning how to use those tools in service of strong pedagogical practices.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Knowledge Feedback Universal Design

Pre-assessment is Key to Designing with Intention

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 11, 2024

As architects of learning experiences, teachers must tailor their approach to the unique mix of abilities, ensuring all students progress toward learning objectives. To be truly equitable, the learning experience must provide individual students with the specific inputs they need to reach a particular output or learning objective.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Coaching Knowledge Writing

How and When to Give Feedback

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 6, 2023

By exploring the task, the feedback, and its implications, students develop a more profound understanding of their own abilities and how they can utilize the feedback to elevate their learning experience. It is a series of stations, or learning activities, that students rotate through. use the 3 questions graphic organizer).

Feedback

Feedback Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Failure

A Back-to-School, Personalized Learning Toolkit

Edsurge

SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

Today, I'm amazed at the impact technology can have on the learning process—especially when it enables teachers to personalize learning. One of my favorites is from Kate Wagner, principal of Red Mill Elementary, who says, “ We are no longer teaching to the middle.” 6) Webinar—Blended Learning: Which Model Works For You?

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Learning Schools Universal Design

The Balance Podcast – Heart, Mind, and Action: How Concept-Based Inquiry Positions Students to Make Meaning with Ruba Abi Saab

Catlin Tucker

MAY 6, 2025

Podcast Episode Episode Description In this episode of The Balance, I sit down with Ruba Abi Saab, Instructional Coach and Teaching and Learning Coordinator at Al Rayan International School in Accra, Ghana. If youre looking to make learning more meaningful and inclusive, this conversation is full of insight and inspiration.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Coaching Students Universal Design

10 steps for making your online courses accessible for all students

eSchool News

DECEMBER 16, 2015

New report highlights 10-step plan to applying Universal Design for Learning online. UDL is tough enough in a face-to-face environment, but the real challenge might be how to implement the principles in an online world where students’ abilities and learning styles differ drastically.

Accessibility

Accessibility Disabilities Universal Design Instructors

Why Don’t We Trust Students?

Catlin Tucker

JUNE 25, 2024

As someone who regularly works with teachers on topics like blended learning, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and student-led learning, one recurring theme I encounter is control. Why did we get into teaching in the first place? This begs the question: Why don’t we trust our students?

Students

Students Motivation Blended Learning Critical Thinking

When Education Is Designed for All Learners

Edsurge

MAY 17, 2022

Propping up her vigorous routine are the poles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the perfect blend of education technology, ensuring that everything keeps spinning along at the right pace and momentum. Then, as I'm teaching from my Google Slides, their response is going to be on Padlet. How does she do it?

Education

Education Language Languages Disabilities

Learning in the Digital Age

eSchool News

JANUARY 3, 2024

Personalized learning takes center stage, tailoring educational content to individual student needs and learning styles. Smart K-12 platforms use algorithms to analyze student performance and provide real-time feedback, allowing educators to tailor their teaching strategies and interventions accordingly.

Learning

Learning Learning Styles Critical Thinking Accessibility

Leading AI Implementation: Building an Inclusive, Integrated Approach to Emerging Tech in Schools with Dr. Brandee Ramirez

Catlin Tucker

MAY 27, 2025

So when I started college, I started in interior design, and I thought, I don’t know if I want to be a teacher. Is teaching really what I want to do? And so I started with something else, interior design. Dr. Brandee Ramirez And my administrator said, you know, I think you’d be good as a digital learning coach.

Schools

Schools Coaching Fairness Technology

HBCU’s Augment HyFlex Format Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Faculty Focus

OCTOBER 9, 2022

2016); however, the model should be accompanied by a course design that applies the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to augment accessibility. The Hyflex model becomes more effective when accompanied by a course design that uses the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Framework.

Universal Design

Universal Design Course Design Learning Syllabus

Beyond English: Why Writing Belongs in Every Classroom

Catlin Tucker

DECEMBER 17, 2023

If you’re reading this and you teach math, history, science, foreign language, art, or any other subject, I want to make a compelling case for the powerful impact that writing can have in your class and on your students. Teachers outside of English or language arts may feel it is not their responsibility to teach writing.

Writing

Writing English Blended Learning Art

Teaching Vanguard

Universally Designed Blended Learning

Universal Design for Learning and Blended Learning: Engagement

Trending Sources

Universal Design for Learning and Blended Learning: Action and Expression

Universal Design for Learning and Blended Learning: Representation

Embrace Flexibility with Universally Designed Blended Learning

Removing Barriers with UDL and Blended Learning

Combatting the Challenges of Whole Group Lessons with Blended Learning

UDL and Blended Learning: Removing Barriers with Design

UDL and Blended Learning: Thriving in Flexible Learning Landscapes (has arrived!)

Prepare For Fall: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Blended Learning Self-paced Online Course

Designing For Deeper Learning: Identifying Challenges and Prototyping Solutions

Shifting from Time-consuming Teacher-led Workflows to Sustainable Student-led Workflows

Standard-aligned Rubrics: Assessing Progress Toward Firm Goals While Allowing for Flexible Means

Choice Boards: Benefits, Design Tips & Differentiation

5 Strategies to Engage Learners Around Flipped Instruction

Farewell, 2020: Lessons Learned

Using AI in Service of Strong Pedagogical Practice

Pre-assessment is Key to Designing with Intention

How and When to Give Feedback

A Back-to-School, Personalized Learning Toolkit

The Balance Podcast – Heart, Mind, and Action: How Concept-Based Inquiry Positions Students to Make Meaning with Ruba Abi Saab

10 steps for making your online courses accessible for all students

Why Don’t We Trust Students?

When Education Is Designed for All Learners

Learning in the Digital Age

Leading AI Implementation: Building an Inclusive, Integrated Approach to Emerging Tech in Schools with Dr. Brandee Ramirez

HBCU’s Augment HyFlex Format Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Beyond English: Why Writing Belongs in Every Classroom

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