October/November UDL Connections

Each month this periodical will 1) highlight critical UDL practices, 2) make connections to the UDL guidelines and checkpoints, 3) connect you with great tools and resources, 4) share some ways schools are putting this practice into action and 5) offer additional approaches to utilize this highlighted practice.

This month we are focusing on the Facilitating Expert Learning and the Design Process. As we proactively plan for variability and to remove barriers, we should also remember to actively reflect and think about what we might have missed. What can we do better next time? How can we continue to grow? Before I referred to this as expert learning. Now we, as the UDL community, are reflecting on what this means in terms of learner agency. Am I in control of my learning and making best decisions based upon what I know?

*Remember, the UDL Design Cycle refers to expert learners as the goal of UDL. Since the UDL Guidelines 3.0 have just been released, the Design Cycle profile may, and likely will change. All videos will be updated at that time, but the links should remain the same. For now, if it helps, think of learner agency and expert learner interchangeably within the context provided in this UDL Connections.

Click on the image below for a video to learn more about this component.

Do you have environments in your schools that are lacking Joy and Play?

How about the office meetings, report card review, or lecture only classroom?

If so, considering diving into this new UDL Consideration.

According to CAST, "learning environments that spark joy and nurture opportunities for play are central to the learning process. Play supports the learning and development of learners of all ages — from young children to adults. Engaging in play can spark curiosity, wonder, and imagination as learners construct new understandings and develop relationships."

In July CAST shared some of their "redesign" of the UDL Guidelines- and I couldn't be more excited this new consideration, nurturing Joy and Play.

Here are some resources for you:

1. Bouncy Balls.

This resource provides very fun visuals to help students monitor and self-regulate their volume level.

For me, there is always a fine line between noise level and learning. I'm not saying I always prefer quiet classrooms, but the volume should not impeed learning- or shake the walls of the building;) I love this visual as a way for everyone to help keey an "eye" on the noise level.

2. Padlet has recently made some major improvements and my collegue, Heidi, cannot say enough about it! Click on the link to check out all of the great features Padlet has to offer.

Users can choose to add voice, picture, video, or text to organize and capture student agency, interest, and just plain fun. Also, while you are at it, try the "I can't draw" feature to generate joyful images!

If that wasn't enough, Padlet will let you import your Flip and Jamboards until the end of November. So don't wait!

The picture to the right is from a professional learning padlet using the new whiteboard feature.

3. Use this Jamboard, slide template to replace your activities. Eric Curtis, the genius he is, has helped create a FREE Google Slides template you can use

4. Curipod.

Tired of making or using boring slides? Why not make more fun?!

Curipod allows teachers to adjust slides to make them more interactive and so more students can participate.

You can even ask students to draw their mental image of the concept and have them vote, plus it can give AI feedback on their responses. It will display each student's drawing on your screen to show the class. See the pictures below for examples.

The picture to the left is a student drawn detective and Curipod elected funniest drawing.

One Ohio middle school used Curipod to generate a lesson asking students to cite evidence and make inferences, BUT in a relly interesting and JOYful way!

The images above showcase cover slide of the presenation Curipod generage and some quick screenshots from the student view.

In the picture below. AI provided feedback to the teacher on how students did meeting the student objective and areas of misconceptions that need to be addressed, who might need additional support.

Data Parties!

As leaders, we want to engage our staff in analyzing data, because it is important work. Amanda March from Rise and Align Consulting shared the idea of a data party with me at the 2024 Check and Connect Conference - and as a data lead, I love it!

She also provided a PDF for you to access this wonderful idea!

An important idea to mention is that the invitation to the data meeting alone was not enough to make the experience joyful. If the invitation is fun, but the meeting is depressing, you've lost the joy.

Another approach Amanda shared was the way in which data was presented. Rather than focusing on 23% of freshman off track, her bar graphs include the opposite visual, showing 77% on track. The school had work to do, but she wanted to honor and celebrate the good work they were doing.

Starting with a success and then focusing on a need is a much more appealing way to approach a data meeting. It can help to build community and shared focus on the improvements.

If you would like to learn more about Padlet or ask questions about any of the resources in this newsletter join us for a FREE UDL Chat on November 7, 2024 from 11:00 - 12:00 using the link below:

https://sst6-org.zoom.us/j/9505298238

Additional Opportunities:

It's almost here! Don't forget to register for everyone's faviorte Ohio conference: OCALICON, which will be held in November.

Finally, save the date for the OETC Conference Feb. 11-13

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: @Smith43326

Heidi Orvosh, Ph.D., is an instruction and technology integration specialist/consultant/coach with Northern Buckeye Education Council. She works with schools around the region to build the capacity of local educational agencies to engage in systemic and sustainable improvements for students. Her primary focus is in the area of technology integration and Universal Design for Learning. She has over 20 years of professional expertise in the area of education. Her previous experience includes consultant with State Support Team Region 7, administrator, and teacher at the secondary and post-secondary level. Her doctorate is in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico State University.

Email: orvosh@nwoca.org

Website: https://www.nwoca.org
Phone: Cell (575) 202-5856
Facebook: facebook.com/SST6ohio
Twitter: @HeidiOrvosh

Jenny (she/her) is an educational consultant and Regional Data Lead for SST 16. In addition to her membership in the Ohio UDL Collaborative, her work involves supporting leadership teams with the Ohio Improvement Process, assiting with attendance work, and co-leading regional Each Child on Track initiatives. Prior to joining SST, Jenny spent thirteen years as a secondary science teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science Education and a Master of Education in Cultural Studies in Education.

Email: jenny.lang@sst16.org
Website: https://www.sst16.org/
Location: 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey, OH 45719, USA

Phone: 740-797-0150

Favorite Dinosaur: Parasaurolophus