Teachers and Universal Design - Teaching Vanguard

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. When we accept that learner variability is the norm, we begin to design with that reality in mind. ” UDL celebrates learner variability as an asset in the classroom.

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). Self-Regulation.

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Learning

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 shared strategies designed to develop self-regulation skills, sustain effort and persistence, and recruit interest. Teachers may want to explore using a choice board or hyperdoc format to present information in multiple modalities.

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Learning Feedback

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. It is important to let students know these features are available as it isn’t always possible for teachers to know which features will be most useful to students as they work online. Expression and Communication.

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Learning Textbooks

Embrace Flexibility with Universally Designed Blended Learning

Catlin Tucker

JULY 8, 2021

Universally designing blended learning presents educators with the opportunity to transition from designing a single experience that is teacher-paced and teacher-led to a more flexible experience that gives the students more control over the pace and path. 1 Student-Paced, Free-Flow Station Rotation Lesson.

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Learning Feedback

Friday 5: Universal Design for Learning

eSchool News

APRIL 19, 2024

Let’s take a look at how Universal Design for Learning can benefit students: What best describes Universal Design for Learning? Let’s take a look at how Universal Design for Learning can benefit students: What best describes Universal Design for Learning?

Universal Design

Universal Design Learning Feedback Communication

5 steps to universally-designed instruction

eSchool News

SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

Neu observed, “Goalbook’s white paper articulates a clear approach for how educators can design instruction that provides access to high levels of learning for all students.” Different Paths Up the Same Mountain presents actionable steps for educators to incorporate best practices from pedagogical research into instructional design.

Universal Design

Universal Design English Languages Language

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. I often say that I want teachers to think of themselves as the lead learner in a classroom.

Universal Design

Universal Design Blended Learning Authentic Assessment Learning

Universal Design for Learning: What is it? Why use?

Ask a Tech Teacher

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Today, we offer one more: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) What is UDL Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework based on research in the learning sciences that can accommodate individual learning differences. UDL at its core is simply good teaching.

Universal Design

Universal Design Learning Styles Disabilities Learning

When Universal Design Promotes Inclusion of All Students

Edsurge

MAY 31, 2023

For teachers, this means providing equal access to educational experiences and ensuring that all students have the support and resources they need to succeed academically, socially and emotionally. Teachers should provide options for how students experience the content. What does the menu analogy look like in the classroom?

Universal Design

Universal Design Disabilities Mobile Devices Students

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

Catlin Tucker

JANUARY 10, 2022

Teachers are navigating substitute teacher shortages, COVID protocols, and record numbers of absent students in addition to the normal demands of this job. We need to retain high-quality teachers who enjoy this work and feel energized and fulfilled by it.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Teachers Feedback

Supporting All Learners: Building an Inclusive Classroom With Universal Design for Learning

Edsurge

JANUARY 13, 2025

Centering instruction in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and implementing both direct and student-driven instruction can help engage learners, address diverse needs and improve learning outcomes for all students. Universal Design for Learning provides a framework for designing inclusive learning environments.

Universal Design

Universal Design Feedback Learning Beliefs

How a collaborative mindset helps teachers reach all learners

eSchool News

MAY 4, 2015

Special ed and general ed teachers work together at one district to improve outcomes for everyone. General education teachers have had to learn and apply new instructional strategies to address the new standards and the vision that the standards embody, particularly universal design for learning.

Teachers

Teachers Learning Disabilities Special Education Disabilities

Shift to Leveraging Formative Assessment for Metacognition

Catlin Tucker

MAY 20, 2023

These informal assessments provide information to the teacher about students’ understanding of the material being covered and the skills being introduced. This data allows the teacher to identify where students are struggling, where they are excelling, and where they need additional support.

Metacognitive Skills

Metacognitive Skills Universal Design Blended Learning Evaluation

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

Catlin Tucker

JUNE 3, 2021

We combined our expertise on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and blended learning to write a book designed to help teachers develop a mindset, skillset, and toolset that allows them to thrive no matter the educational setting–in class, online, or a blend of the two. Katie Novak on this project.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Universal Design Learning Motivation

Removing Barriers with UDL and Blended Learning

Catlin Tucker

MAY 11, 2021

Recently, a teacher posted a comment to my blog lamenting that direct instruction consumed much of the class period. 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. This is not unusual.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Learning Universal Design Disabilities

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. However, to design for deeper learning, teachers must consider the intersection of cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal domains. This includes social negotiation.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Universal Design Learning Motivation

Design a Choose Your Own Adventure Learning Experience

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 14, 2020

It’s only two months into the school year, and teachers are exhausted. This year has made everyone, regardless of their years of experience, feel like a brand new teacher. Teachers are designing learning experiences for a range of learning landscapes. Next, teachers must organize the learning experience.

Learning

Learning Assignments Universal Design Feedback

5 Strategies to Engage Learners Around Flipped Instruction

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 10, 2021

Teachers got a crash course in creating video content when schools shifted online. As teachers transitioned back into classrooms, many abandoned video in favor of live instruction. However, if teachers are going to say the same thing the same way for all students, I encourage them to make a video.

Multiple Choice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions Blended Learning Discussions Art

FAQ: The Playlist Model

Catlin Tucker

APRIL 28, 2023

Teachers can choose to have a playlist be the sole focus of their work in class for a period of time, or they may weave it into a series of station rotation lessons over time (e.g., I recommend that teachers use a digital document or slide deck. That way, the teacher knows where they are in the playlist each day.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Feedback Universal Design Art

Choice Boards: Benefits, Design Tips & Differentiation

Catlin Tucker

AUGUST 16, 2021

Student agency requires that we design our lessons to offer students meaningful choices. These choices can help us universally design learning experiences that strive to remove barriers and invite students to decide how to engage with information, make meaning, and demonstrate their learning. Choice is a powerful motivator.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Feedback Activities Universal Design

So you think you understand UDL?

eSchool News

NOVEMBER 1, 2018

I thought I had a pretty good handle on universal design for learning (UDL), but after chatting with Katie Novak , Ed.D., We began providing accommodations through differentiated instruction and teachers figured out what to change or modify to accommodate “disabled” learners. I realize I didn’t understand the framework at all.

Disabilities

Disabilities Universal Design Essay Beliefs

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. The variety of products they create causes many teachers to question how they should assess this work since it takes many forms. Designing a Standards-aligned, Mastery-based Rubric.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Essay Feedback Writing

Shift to Providing Feedback as Students Work

Catlin Tucker

JULY 2, 2023

Feedback is one of the most powerful tools a teacher has to support students in achieving standards-aligned goals. Fosters effective communication and dialogue between teachers and students. By incorporating technology and targeted learning activities, teachers can provide timely feedback as students engage in their learning tasks.

Feedback

Feedback Metacognitive Skills Blended Learning Beliefs

Leveraging collaborative e-learning to support UDL

eSchool News

AUGUST 29, 2024

One significant development is collaborative e-learning, which integrates social interactions among peers and teachers. From podcasts, YouTube captions, personalized learning dashboards, and social annotation, teachers now have a variety of e-learning methods at their disposal.

Learning

Learning Syllabus Universal Design Quizzes

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. In training sessions, I ask teachers to think about why they use this model. Blended learning is not a reaction to a moment.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Metacognitive Skills Learning Motivation

Can Teachers Read Books Out Loud Online? Actually, Yes.

Edsurge

MARCH 30, 2020

And teachers across the country reenact the scene daily—or did until a few weeks ago. As schools, teachers and families face the shock of abruptly shifting to online education, one small question has been how to shift these read alouds to Zoom, Facebook, Google Hangouts and YouTube, the spaces where many classes continue to meet.

Reading

Reading Fairness Teachers Disabilities

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. 1 Get To Know Your Students.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Learning Lecturing Motivation

How to create inclusive learning environments with UDL

eSchool News

JULY 28, 2022

To create inclusive learning environments, educators can leverage the principles of Universal Design for Learning ( UDL ). What is Universal Design for Learning?

Universal Design

Universal Design Essay Textbooks Learning

Farewell, 2020: Lessons Learned

Catlin Tucker

DECEMBER 31, 2020

My research made it clear that two of the most significant factors impacting teacher engagement was the depth of our relationships with students and our relationships with our colleagues. Teachers have found it challenging to connect with their students when a screen mediates those interactions. ” I hear this a lot. .

Learning

Learning Blended Learning Assignments Feedback

How shifting to a UDL mindset enhances Common Core

eSchool News

APRIL 19, 2016

When special and general ed teachers collaborate, everyone benefits. General education teachers have had to learn and apply new instructional strategies to address the new standards and the vision that the standards embody, particularly universal design for learning. This can be a stressful time for everyone.

Universal Design

Universal Design Special Education Learning Disabilities Disabilities

How I Navigate the Classroom as a Neurodivergent Teacher

Edsurge

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

I first realized I wanted to be a teacher around the same time I received my first mental health diagnosis. Instead of seeking help, I would isolate myself and create self-destructive narratives about how awful of a teacher I was. To make matters worse, I had a mentor teacher who made sure I knew I wasnt doing a good job.

Teachers

Teachers Failure Attention Disabilities

Steps Toward Creating a More Accessible and Inclusive College Classroom

Faculty Focus

MAY 18, 2025

Ask a colleague to informally observe your teaching and provide constructive feedback on your work of being an inclusive teacher. Implement a universally designed framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people. University of Rochester Office of Disability Resources, adapted with permissions.

Accessibility

Accessibility Disabilities Learning Disabilities Special Education

Heroes at Work: How San Diego USD made PD a pandemic priority

eSchool News

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Keep reading this interview with Julie Garcia, the district’s Director of Instructional Technology, to discover how the district prioritized meaningful teacher PD and student engagement. eSN : From the very beginning of the pandemic, it seems you have had a strong focus on teacher professional development.

Universal Design

Universal Design Reading Student Engagement Online Learning

Using AI in Service of Strong Pedagogical Practice

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

Scrolling through Instagram or TikTok, I see endless videos of teachers sharing AI-powered tools. I remember facilitating workshops on blended learning models and universally designed learning to provide students with flexible pathways. Think about an architect who is equipped with cutting-edge design software.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Knowledge Feedback Universal Design

11 resources to avoid the summer slide

eSchool News

MAY 27, 2021

The nonprofit PBLWorks is offering the following resources for families and teachers this summer: “ This Teachable Moment ,” a free PBLWorks eBook, provides an introduction to project-based learning and 21 ready-to-go projects to help keep students engaged and learning during the summer.

Fairness

Fairness STEM Learning Styles Math

5 of the biggest education trends for 2025

eSchool News

JANUARY 31, 2025

As schools work to accomplish these goals, we expect to see an expansion of AI and other emerging technologies in the classroom, enhanced professional development and support for teachers, and more individualized learning opportunities for students. Here are five of the biggest education trends for 2025: 1.

Education

Education Ethics Culture Universal Design

Pre-assessment is Key to Designing with Intention

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 11, 2024

At a recent workshop, a teacher posed a compelling question about the effectiveness of small-group versus whole-group instruction. As architects of learning experiences, teachers must tailor their approach to the unique mix of abilities, ensuring all students progress toward learning objectives.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning Coaching Writing Knowledge

5 ways to leverage UDL for student inclusivity

eSchool News

JANUARY 1, 2018

In recent years, general education teachers have joined special education teachers in emphasizing the need for inclusivity in the classroom. If you are a teacher looking to create a more inclusive learning environment in your classroom, understanding the principles of UDL can give you an edge.

Universal Design

Universal Design Students Lecturing Social Studies

AI’s transformative role in accessibility

eSchool News

OCTOBER 3, 2024

AI can alleviate teacher burnout by automating administrative tasks such as grading and attendance tracking, allowing educators to focus more on direct student interaction and support. Use cases and examples Case studies from various educational settings illustrate the practical applications of AI in enhancing accessibility.

Accessibility

Accessibility Local Government Disabilities Ethics

Here’s how schools can better support neurodiverse students

eSchool News

JUNE 18, 2024

To help educators address neurodiversity in the classroom for Autism Pride Day on June 18, school therapy and teacher staffing agency, here are some best practices to ensure all students can become successful learners. Five ways that schools, educators, and communities can support neurodiverse students in the classroom: 1.

Disabilities

Disabilities Special Education Schools Students

Sensory spaces may help support all students

eSchool News

DECEMBER 18, 2023

As 2023 winds down, it is important to note this trend and its origins from use primarily in special education to the current, continuing shift towards universal design and inclusion. Just like our students, teachers need to be mindful and practice taking regular sensory breaks. What is a sensory space?

Students

Students Universal Design Disabilities Physical Education

Kids in special education are struggling–it’s time to rethink their education

eSchool News

OCTOBER 10, 2024

Approaches we use, like Universal Design for Learning , embrace, rather than punish, diversity in learning styles and personality. Any teacher knows a child’s educational experience is much richer and broader than the courses they take. Every child is as important as they are unique.

Special Education

Special Education Education Teaching Methods Learning Styles

#6: 5 ways to leverage UDL for student inclusivity

eSchool News

DECEMBER 23, 2018

In recent years, general education teachers have joined special education teachers in emphasizing the need for inclusivity in the classroom. If you are a teacher looking to create a more inclusive learning environment in your classroom, understanding the principles of UDL can give you an edge.

Universal Design

Universal Design Students Lecturing Social Studies

Universally Designed Blended Learning

Universal Design for Learning and Blended Learning: Engagement

Trending Sources

Universal Design for Learning and Blended Learning: Representation

Universal Design for Learning and Blended Learning: Action and Expression

Embrace Flexibility with Universally Designed Blended Learning

Friday 5: Universal Design for Learning

5 steps to universally-designed instruction

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

Universal Design for Learning: What is it? Why use?

When Universal Design Promotes Inclusion of All Students

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

Supporting All Learners: Building an Inclusive Classroom With Universal Design for Learning

How a collaborative mindset helps teachers reach all learners

Shift to Leveraging Formative Assessment for Metacognition

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

Removing Barriers with UDL and Blended Learning

Designing For Deeper Learning: Identifying Challenges and Prototyping Solutions

Design a Choose Your Own Adventure Learning Experience

5 Strategies to Engage Learners Around Flipped Instruction

FAQ: The Playlist Model

Choice Boards: Benefits, Design Tips & Differentiation

So you think you understand UDL?

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

Shift to Providing Feedback as Students Work

Leveraging collaborative e-learning to support UDL

Combatting the Challenges of Whole Group Lessons with Blended Learning

Can Teachers Read Books Out Loud Online? Actually, Yes.

UDL and Blended Learning: Removing Barriers with Design

How to create inclusive learning environments with UDL

Farewell, 2020: Lessons Learned

How shifting to a UDL mindset enhances Common Core

How I Navigate the Classroom as a Neurodivergent Teacher

Steps Toward Creating a More Accessible and Inclusive College Classroom

Heroes at Work: How San Diego USD made PD a pandemic priority

Using AI in Service of Strong Pedagogical Practice

11 resources to avoid the summer slide

5 of the biggest education trends for 2025

Pre-assessment is Key to Designing with Intention

5 ways to leverage UDL for student inclusivity

AI’s transformative role in accessibility

Here’s how schools can better support neurodiverse students

Sensory spaces may help support all students

Kids in special education are struggling–it’s time to rethink their education

#6: 5 ways to leverage UDL for student inclusivity

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