Universal Design for Learning: Meeting Diverse Student Needs

Course overview

This comprehensive 5-day course is designed to equip educators with instructional strategies and techniques to address the diverse needs of all learners effectively. Participants will build a deep understanding of learner variability, including strengths, preferences, and diverse needs, and explore its implications for teaching and learning.

The course will delve into the core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiation, providing participants with practical techniques and strategies to promote active participation and motivation in today’s diverse classrooms. Participants will learn how to apply UDL principles and Differentiation to improve lesson design, instruction, and support high levels of engagement and achievement for all learners.

Emphasis will be placed on the UDL Instructional Planning Process, enabling participants to design inclusive lessons that cater to learner variability. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, utilizing UDL lesson planners and exploring strategies for differentiating the learning environment, content, and processes to engage students effectively.

The course will also address the importance of differentiating the product of the learning process and the role of assessment as a compass in differentiating instruction. Participants will learn techniques for modifying curriculum, implementing alternative teaching strategies, and adapting assessment methods to meet the diverse needs of their students.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided visit to a local museum, heritage site, or eco-conscious initiative. This visit will allow participants to explore the cultural richness of the area, draw inspiration from sustainable practices, and gain insights into incorporating inclusive and green dimensions into their teaching methodologies.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Understanding learner variability and inclusive education

Icebreakers and networking activities
Introduction to the course and participants
Overview of the course methodology and expectations
Exploring learner variability: Strengths, preferences, and diverse needs
Diversity and inclusive education in contemporary classrooms
Group discussions and teamwork activities

Day 2: Principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Introduction to UDL: Principles and guidelines to support learner variability
Instructional planning process with UDL
Presentations, group discussions, and practical activities

Day 3: Designing inclusive lessons with UDL

UDL instructional planning process
Hands-on activities: Designing lessons with UDL lesson planners
Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and sustainability practices
Post-visit activities: Incorporating cultural and environmental elements into inclusive lesson design

Day 4: Differentiating instruction for engagement

Differentiating instruction: Guidelines for addressing learner variability
Differentiating the learning environment, content, and processes
Presentations, group discussions, and teamwork activities

Day 5: Assessment and differentiation

Differentiating the product of the learning process
Assessment as a compass in differentiating instruction
Presentations, group discussions, and hands-on activities
Course evaluation and feedback
Certification ceremony

The classes typically run from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, with the afternoon and evening reserved for self-reflection and individual study. However, the course schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of the participants and the availability of instructors or external learning locations. Participants will receive the finalized schedule well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation and planning.

Learning outcomes:

The participants will be able to:

Analyze learner variability, including strengths, preferences, and diverse needs, and its implications for teaching and learning.
Explain the core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiation, and their significance in promoting active participation and motivation in diverse classrooms.
Apply UDL principles and Differentiation techniques to improve lesson design, instruction, and support high levels of engagement and achievement for all learners.
Utilize the UDL Instructional Planning Process to design inclusive lessons that cater to learner variability.
Differentiate the learning environment, content, processes, and products to engage students effectively and meet their diverse needs.
Evaluate and modify curriculum, implement alternative teaching strategies, and adapt assessment methods to address learner variability.
Integrate cultural elements and inspiration from local heritage and sustainable practices into their inclusive lesson design and teaching methodologies.
Develop a comprehensive action plan for implementing UDL and Differentiation strategies in their educational contexts, fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment for all students.
Collaborate with fellow educators to share best practices, strategies, and resources for addressing diverse student needs through inclusive curriculum design and instructional approaches.
Analyze the role of assessment as a compass in differentiating instruction and supporting student learning and growth.

Course fee:

400 euro per participant (covered entirely by the Erasmus grant)

Course fee includes:

At least 25 hours of course content;
Course materials;
Certificate of participation;
Europass, on request;
Learning / Mobility Agreement;
Visits to local institutions, if available;
Personalized support;
Free high-speed WIFI internet at the POU Čakovec premises;
Refreshments;
Administration costs;
Dissemination materials.

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