Prepare For Fall: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Blended Learning Self-paced Online Course

Dr. Katie Novak and I wrote UDL and Blended Learning: Thriving in Flexible Learning Landscapes to support teachers in developing a mindset, skill set, and toolset nimble enough to traverse any teaching and learning landscape with confidence. After a year and a half of uncertainty and now with concerns about COVID variants emerging again, we want educators to feel prepared to tackle whatever challenges come their way while providing diverse groups of students with engaging, inclusive, and accessible learning experiences.

When Katie and I work with educators, we stress that a shift to universally designing blended learning is a journey. It will take time and a willingness to pursue our own learning. I often say that I want teachers to think of themselves as the lead learner in a classroom. Our practice develops over time with experimentation, successes and failures, and student feedback. There is no endpoint when it comes to learning, which should be exciting!

We have been thrilled by the response to our book and wanted to design a self-paced online course grounded in UDL and blended learning principles that allowed educators to dive deeper into this work. We’ve designed the course so that each of the eight modules begins with a video with Katie or me. Then you decide which flexible pathway you want to take to learn more about the topic at the heart of the module (e.g., learner variability and flexible groupings). We have curated a collection of resources in each model (texts, videos, podcasts…depending on your preference!) so that you can choose your learning path. We know learner variability is the norm for all learners, including adult learners, which is why we wanted to build meaningful choices into this experience for you.

We challenge you in each module to take what you have learned and act on it. We’ve provided multiple options for how you might choose to reflect on, apply, and share your learning in each module. Again, we know that not all learners express or communicate their learning in the same way, so the options are designed to allow you to select a strategy that feels most comfortable for you.

Below is our introduction video to our course Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Blended Learning For All Students!

The course is composed of eight modules that align with many of the big ideas in our book. Each module has a guided note template for educators who want to capture their thinking and learning as they self-pace through the course. Below is an overview of the modules.

Module 1: Introduction to UDL

Module 2: Introduction to Blended Learning (BL)

Module 3: Variability and Flexible Groupings

Module 4: The Magic of Metacognition

Module 5: Designing Instruction That Is Equitable, Engaging, and Inclusive

Module 6: Educator as Facilitator

Module 7: The Power of Authentic Assessment in UDL and BL

Module 8: Module 8: Reflecting on Your UDL and BL Journey

Our course will be on sale for $49 in August to support teachers as they gear up for back to school! If you are a school leader interested in exploring a book and course pairing for your teachers, you can submit this form to get a quote for bulk course licenses and a discounted price on our book.

My Getting Started with Blended and Online Learning and Advancing with Blended and Online Learning courses are also on sale this August for teachers who want to do a deep dive into blended learning as they prepare to head back to school this fall!