New Title, Same Purpose:
Last month I broke a bit from the regular format to share the proposed updates to the UDL Guidelines.
This month will break from this aforementioned format as well to share with all of you the proposed changes to the UDL Practice Profile, including the name.
Again...THIS. IS. BIG! ~and exciting:)
The Ohio UDL Collaborative Design Cycle Practice Profile
2016-2017: The UDL Collaborative began the creation of the UDL Practice Profile. This profile had many columns that included: the critical component, contribution to the why; three levels of implementation; connections to implementation drivers; a column for Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; and a column for expected outcomes. As you can imagine, this was a lot for one page.
2019-2020: A practice profile lite version was created.
2022: The format of the full UDL Practice Profile was reformatted to the three-column format we see now, highlighting the levels of implementation with the component; the why; and the knowledge, skills, and abilities sections positioned above and below.
2023: The design cycle that utilizes the 5 critical components of the UDL Practice Profile and presents them alongside Ohio's 5 step process for continuous improvement was named. Please look at August's UDL Connections for the initial graphic and information.
2024: The Practice Profile was reorganized to align with the five components to the order of the Design Cycle, thus changing the order and numbering of the second and third components and calling for a new name, The Ohio UDL Collaborative Design Cycle Practice Profile.
The most recent version holds up the idea that the primary practice of the UDL framework is iterative design, hence the Design Cycle.
A final word:
Over time, the main components have held up against new UDL publications and research as a sound practices. Updates to the content have been minimal, yet revisions have allowed the current practice profile to be a more refined view of what ideal UDL practice should look like in Ohio. As such, this profile is the anchor for other UDL Colaborative-created tools and resources that will be forthcoming.
Skill Builders contain the WHY statements for each component and the IDEAL implementation practices from the UDL Design Cycle Practice Profile. They break down the UDL Design Cycle into more manageable chunks of information. Because the Practice Profile was recently revised, the Skill Builders that align with each section also had to be adjusted.
Skill Builders can be a great guide to help leaders think about what the training topics should be considered, coached, used in selection processes, and monitored through performance assessments. Systemic design for learning should include multiple ways for practitioners to improve their skills for each subcomponent.
A pdf version of every Skill Builder has been added to this Google Folder. In the spirit of multiple means, a short video of the Clear Goals Overview is liked here and to the image below. Look for more videos aligned to each Skill Builder in the months ahead!
TeachAid founder, Nadeem Aljaber, reached out to me his design team can do just that.
Nadeem shared insights about this free product because his mission is to optimize and support teachers so they can reach all students. He and his team are actively working to integrate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and design features into their TeachAid. They have actively tried to design for flexibility, student engagement, optimized interest, and offering custom options that allow for student choice while reducing the demand and heavy workload for teachers so they can make the most of their proactive planning time by leveraging AI.
I invite you to schedule a time with him using the link below to check out TeachAid and offer your feedback or join Nadeem and me for a the May 24th Theory to Practice Brown Bag session (session information below).
Here's what Nadeem shared with me:
Title:TeachAid: Not Just an AI Tool, But a Complete UDL Curriculum Solution.
Discover TeachAid.ca, the game-changing AI-powered platform that’s more than just a tool for creating lesson plans. It’s your partner in designing a full spectrum UDL curriculum, from engaging lessons to activities, assessments, and presentations. Tailored to each student's learning needs, TeachAid streamlines your teaching process, making education more personalized, impactful, and efficient.
Sign up for your free onboarding session here: https://calendly.com/nadeemaljaber/30min?month=2024-03
Why TeachAid?
- Comprehensive Curriculum Design: Say goodbye to fragmented lessons. Embrace a cohesive learning journey tailored for your students.
- Personalized Teaching: Every lesson is an opportunity to make a difference. With TeachAid, your teaching becomes more relevant and engaging than ever.
- Save Time and Inspire: Free yourself from the burden of endless planning. Focus on what you do best—inspiring your students.
Sign up for TeachAid.ca today and schedule your free onboarding session. Make the most of this opportunity to enhance your teaching and provide your students with the best learning experience.
Nadeem Aljaber,
Founder @ TeachAid
UDL-Con International
Pre-conference sessions on July 29th
Online and in-person
Hyatt Regency Sacramento, CA
This year, for the first time, CAST’s Annual Symposium and the UDL-IRN Summit are joining forces to create the world’s largest International UDL Convention.
I'll be there too!
If you can make it, consider visiting one of my session listed below:
Session Title: Unlocking Design Mindsets to Lead UDL wtih Loui Lord Nelson, Beth Stark, and Cherie Smith
Session Title: UDL and Implementation Science: Adapting UDL Practice to (YOUR) Context with Tracy Mail and Cherie Smith
For more information and to register, visit https://www.cast.org/products-services/udl-con-international-2024
And last, but not least...
Join me for UDL Theory to Practice Brown Bag Sessions during your lunch once a month, and plan on sharing how you are using, have used, or plan to use the practices and resources mentioned in the UDL Connections.
Remember, no presentations will be planned during these sessions. Participants are asked to
1) Share a resource/practice from UDL Connections that you've tried OR
2) Share and ask for feedback, OR
3) Share and ask questions, OR
4) Share what you'd like to try and why.
Everyone is also invited to listen and learn from one another.
The last sessions will be May 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://sst6-org.zoom.us/j/81521788853
Meeting ID: 815 2178 8853
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
I can't wait to see you there!
Cherie Smith
Cherie Smith began working at State Support Team Region 6 in July 2015. She has a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and the Inclusive Classroom. Most of her experience has been in special education as a supervisor and an Intervention Specialist at the secondary level. She has taught students wtih disabiliteis in both Florida and Ohio.
Cherie is currently a co-chair of Universal Design for Learning Implementation and Research Network's Implementation Special Interest Group and is a member of the Ohio UDL Collaborative.
As an SST6 Consultant, she supports districts in the Ohio Implementation Process as a Regional Data Lead. She leads Universal Design for Learning and supports districts with IDEA Internal Monitoring, Postsecondary Transition, PBIS, and College and Career Readiness.
Email: csmith@sst6.org
Website: https://www.sst6.org/UniversalDesignforLearning.aspx
Location: 1045 Dearbaugh Avenue, Wapakoneta, OH, USA
Phone: 419-739-0170
Facebook: facebook.com/SST6ohio
Twitter: @SST6