Karen Winston-Carpenter, a 24-year veteran teacher and teacher on special assignment in East Cleveland Schools, discusses how she introduces UDL to new educators. She emphasizes creating safe spaces for teachers to try new approaches, "chunking" UDL concepts to make them manageable, modeling empathy, and encouraging reflection through video self-assessment and peer collaboration. Her coaching evolved from focusing on standards to honoring teacher voice and choice.

Jane Somanje, a quality assurance officer and National Reading Programme trainer, shares how teachers are embracing UDL to create more inclusive classrooms. Jane shares success stories, discusses challenges like large class sizes, and explains how UDL is improving learning outcomes. Tune in to hear how UDL is making education more equitable and effective!

In this episode of UDL in 15 Minutes, host Loui Lord Nelson speaks with Elke Greite, a middle years IB teacher at Dresden International School, about shifting students' focus from product to process using Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Elke shares how personalized goal-setting, inquiry-driven learning, and the integration of IB’s Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills have transformed her visual arts unit on identity. Discover practical strategies for fostering student agency and deeper engagement.

Katy McBain, head of secondary school learning support at Dresden International School, shares how she and her colleagues empower students by fostering self-advocacy and ownership of learning. She discusses co-creating IEP goals, cognitive coaching, and personalized learning strategies, emphasizing a strengths-based approach to support neurodiverse learners.

Discover how Kisa Laursen transforms co-teaching through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) during this episode of UDL in 15 Minutes. You’ll hear about the 5 statements Kisa and her colleagues created to help every teacher in their building think about and plan for variability. She also talks about inclusive teaching, data-informed strategies, and building collaborative environments that empower students and educators alike.

In this episode of UDL in 15 Minutes, Loui Lord Nelson interviews Tom Tobin, an expert in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and higher education, as they explore four critical gaps in the UDL 3.0 guidelines. Together, they discuss how to adapt UDL principles for higher education by addressing grassroots assumptions, power dynamics, and the distinct needs of adult learners.

Chisomo Katunga, a primary school teacher from Malawi, discusses her experiences implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) techniques. She shares how UDL strategies, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, transformed her teaching approach and positively impacted her students' engagement and learning outcomes. Chisomo emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual learning needs and fostering a supportive classroom environment.

Dalitso Ntambalika, a primary school teacher in Malawi, shares her transformative experiences with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). She shares stories of two students: one who was very quiet and became more engaged through pair-sharing and another who was very, very active and learned new behaviors for learning through positive reinforcement. Dalitso's expereince highlights UDL's effectiveness in diverse classrooms.

Zacham Kabantiok, a dedicated educator from Wauro Jabbe Community School in Northeastern Nigeria, shares how UDL has helped her and other educators transform the lives of out-of-school children, foster inclusive learning environments, and empower students to overcome barriers.

Lillian Nave shares her experiences applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) at Appalachian State University's new Hickory campus. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility in teaching practices, communication strategies, and support for diverse student needs, particularly for first-generation students, as the university aims to create an inclusive and accessible educational environment.

Martha Dobboh is using UDL to shift her teach training courses so all of her learners understand not only the structure of UDL, but the heart of UDL - to include and value all learners. Hear how UDL has shifted the way her adult learners expereince education and how they are sharing that shift in their own lesson and learning environment design.

Liliana Vidal shares the importance of inclusive education for students with disabilities in English as a second language (ESL) classrooms. Liliana, an experienced English teacher from Argentina, shares her journey of implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to create a more accessible learning environment. She emphasizes the need for diverse teaching methods that cater to the various learning styles of students, particularly those with disabilities. Through the use of visual aids, technology, and hands-on activities, she illustrates how UDL can enhance engagement and representation in language learning. Liliana also highlights the significance of fostering self-regulation and emotional support to help students overcome challenges, ultimately aiming to empower all learners to achieve their potential in a supportive classroom setting.

In this episode of UDL in 15 Minutes, host Loui Lord Nelson sits down with Patrick McGrath to discuss the organic growth of UDL in educational settings. Patrick shares insights from his work with a group of schools within the LEO Academy Trust that initially adopted a one-to-one technology approach without a formal UDL framework. As the schools embraced inclusive practices unintentionally, Patrick saw a transformation towards UDL principles, resulting in significant improvements in student outcomes and a reduction in special education needs registrations. The conversation delves into the shift towards redefining inclusion and the pivotal moment when UDL was formally introduced, leading to a more intentional and effective approach to pedagogy.

This is my chance to introduce you to another podcast. Think Inclusive is hosted by Tim Villegas and produced by the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education. While this podcast is not specifically about UDL, the ideas shared definitely align with the framework. During this episode of Think Inclusive, Tim talks with DJ Nicholson. She is an experienced educator and advocate for inclusive education. She has a background in special education and has worked with students with disabilities for many years. DJ is passionate about finding innovative ways to support learners with disabilities and believes that technology, including AI, can play a crucial role in creating inclusive learning environments.

Elaina Fennell shares her journey of shifting her approach to delivering professional development by embracing Universal Design for Learning (UDL). In this episode, Elaina dives into the importance of learner variability, teacher efficacy, and intentional design to facilitate meaningful and accessible learning experiences.

Heather Avery and Anthony Carey share their experiences with UDL implementation in New Brunswick, focusing on the importance of asking, “Am I leaving anyone out?” Heather discusses their work in designing a professional learning program that prioritizes inclusivity and support for educators. Anthony emphasizes the importance of setting up systems for effective UDL implementation.

Chynel McCrink and Colin Syron, two primary school teachers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, respectively, about their experiences with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). They discuss how the UDL framework has helped establish a shared language for teaching across Ireland and how it has transformed their approach to education. Chynel and Colin share their personal journeys with UDL, the differences in teacher professional development between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the impact of the partnership between the National Education Authorities, Microsoft, and Lasell University has had on teacher leaders in both regions. They also reflect on their a-ha moments during the UDL course and how UDL has empowered them as educators.

Arie continues to share her invaluable college, teacher college, and teaching experiences as someone diagnosed with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and ADHD.

Arie Werder, a district educational technology district consultant teacher, bravely shares her K - 12 through college experiences as a learner with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD with a lead up to why UDL feels like home to her.

With a diverse student population, Burlington-Edison School District needed a common instructional framework. UDL was adopted and transformed Tracy’s understanding of instructional design and her PDs. During this podcast, she talks about shifting from the checklist mentality, embracing learner variability, expert learning and flexible goals as the tenets of UDL. She ends with a great story about the power of feedback loops.