Overview: This section focuses on providing participants with an overview of tools and approaches for applying Universal Design for Learning to their practice.
Optional Session: Action Plan Development /Sharing The goal of this session is to provide participants time and support to develop and share their action plans. You should allow approximately 3 – 4 hours.
Presenter Instructions: Tell participants it is expected that they develop a plan of action before they finish the training. Ask them to think about the presented concepts and ideas and figure out how they will apply Universal Design for Learning to their practice.
Identify the available action plan templates and explain the differences between these templates. Participants should choose the action plan form that best suits their personal preferences.
Participants are encouraged to work alone or work with others on the development of the action plan. Allow at least 2 hours to work on the action plan and one hour to share action plans with the group. Sharing is not a requirement, but rather a way to network with others and share resources.
In your action plan, consider the following:
Set goals that are realistic and that can be accomplished in a timely manner.
Be sure to separate the means for achieving the goal from the actual goal – this kind of clarity will free you up to be creative about your goals. You will then be able to select the most appropriate methods, materials, and benchmarks for success.
Refer to Chapter 5, “Using UDL to Set Clear Goals” http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/chapter5.cfm for more information on setting goals.
Refer to Chapter 8, “Making Universal Design for Learning a Reality” of the “Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age” book. This chapter provides implementation strategies from a school district in NH.
Highlight available resources so that participants are aware of the support that is available for them.
Present the range of action plan templates, noting that participants may want to select the best template for their work. Identify each template and its use.
Curriculum Barriers template (dot) (pdf) (to be used to gain a better understanding of the students in a classroom, barriers in methods, assessments, and materials; this is a first step in the UDL process of making curriculum accessible for all learners).
Lesson Planning Form template (dot) (pdf) (this template is designed for planning lessons that take into account the principles of UDL).
Simple Action Plan template (dot) (pdf) (this template is to be used as a simple form for writing goals, action steps, and a time table).
UDL Action Plan for Systemic Change template (dot) (pdf) (this template is to be used when planning for systemic change at the school, district or state level; it is clearly the most comprehensive of all the templates).
UDL Lesson Analysis Template (dot) (pdf) (this template is to be used when designing a lesson or a unit of study; this form is base on the content of Chapter 6 of the TES book).
UDL Project Plan template (dot) (pdf) (this is simple straightforward project planning form).
UDL Solutions template (dot) (pdf) (this is a lesson planning form to help users identify barriers and solutions for planning lessons).
Ask the audience for additional suggestions, giving the audience 15 minutes to brainstorm and share ideas for next steps. Allow sufficient time to create and develop a plan of action; this may vary from one audience to another and may happen outside the defined workshop time. A schedule for follow-up, sharing of plans, and implementation needs to be defined as part of this session.
Invite the audience to share at least one item from their action plan; encourage resource sharing and follow-up with others. Schedule follow-up session for Action Plan work, sharing and implementation.
If you choose, ask participants to share one personal reflection about the UDL training.
