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May 21, 2009

Universal Design in Education: The Basics and Beyond


Session Overview

The focus of today's session is to assist each participant in conducting an accessibility audit of an existing course. The goal is to explore specific resources, strategies, and tools that could be integrated into a course to enhance accessibility, engagement, and performance.

1. Welcome

A. Reflections on Day 1

B. Accessing a Kohl's Store

2. Working as an Instructional Designer

A. ABD: Access by Design or Accomodations by Default

Accessibility does not happen by accident. It is the result of thoughtful design.

B. CAST UDL Design Principles

3. Task

A. Syllabus Revision

Revise your syllabus to incorporate UDL principles by illustrating your intentionality to increase access and engagement for diverse students.

1. This may involve new language.

2. This may involve changes in one or more of the following areas:

a. Instructional Methods

How does the instructor operationalize the concept of teaching? How does the instructor operationalize the concept of learning?

Theory into Practice Database (select appropriate theories)
http://tip.psychology.org/

Opening Classroom Doors: Teaching Methods
http://newali.apple.com/ali_sites/ali/exhibits/1000328/

b. Instructional Materials

What types of digital materials could be used to faciliate multiple means of representations? View example (.doc). Download template (.doc).

c. Learning Activities

Design a Tic-Tac-Toe learning activity in which you explicitly plan for multiple means of expression. View examples (html). Download template (.doc).

d. Assessment Methods

Implement rubrics or electronic quizzes (see Day 1, Section 10)

B. Process

Work in small groups

Select a dimension of academic diversity that you will address.

Explore Syllabus Development Resources:

The Faculty Room
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/

The UD Syllabus Generator
http://www.uwplatt.edu/tec/udgenerator/

MERLOT
http://www.merlot.org/merlot/index.htm

Explore Content Specific Resources (Sections 6-10) from Day 1

Consult with Dave

Create

C. Show and Tell

3. Implementation and Planning Issues

A. TSCD Model: Evidence of Effectiveness

B. Classroom Management

C. Grading

• Reeves, D.B. (2004). The case against zero. Phi Delta Kappan, 86(4), 324-325. pdf
A Principal's Guide to Teacher Grading Policies
Solving the Grading Puzzle for Students with Disabilities (book)

D. Fairness

• Welch, A.B. (2000). Responding to student concerns about fairness. Teaching Exceptional Children , 33(2), 36-40. pdf

E. Teacher vs. Student Roles and Responsibilities

4. Followup

A. Syllabus submission (May, September)

B. Instructor survey (September, December)

C. Student survey (Beginning & End of Class, Fall Semester)

5. Day 2 Workshop Evaluation

The final activity for today will involve responding to structured prompts that will serve as a short evaluation of today's workshop. Please enter the information in the form below and then click on the submit button to have the information emailed to Prof. Edyburn. A copy of your evaluation will be forwarded to your email address automatically.

Name:
Email Address:
As the workshop concludes, how would you define the term universal design in education (UDE)?
The workshop was well-designed and logically executed.
The presenter was engaging and accessible.
Overall the workshop was useful and met my expectations.
I anticipate that using the material from this workshop will lead to improved learning for my students.
Of all the tools and resources you explored, what did you discover that will be most useful in your work?
Personally, what was the best outcome of this workshop?
Any other comments, questions, or concerns?

Session Guide

9:00 Welcome

9:15 Syllabus Makeover

9:45 Intro to UD

10:15 Break

10:30 Work Session Continues

11:15 Show and Tell Presentations

Noon Lunch

12:45 Implementations

2:00 Break

2:15 Debrief

2:30 Adjourn

Learn More

If you find the topic of Universal Design for Learning interesting, you may be interested in a new course that will be offered this Summer at UWM (EXCED 740 Universal Design for Learning Research and Practice). The course will be taught entirely online by Prof. Edyburn. Contact Prof. Edyburn for more information.