UDL in 15 Minutes

134: Transforming Malawi’s classrooms with UDL for inclusive, effective learning

Jane Somanje, a quality assurance officer and National Reading Programme trainer, shares how teachers are embracing UDL to create more inclusive classrooms. Jane shares success stories, discusses challenges like large class sizes, and explains how UDL is improving learning outcomes. Tune in to hear how UDL is making education more equitable and effective!

133: Elke Greite - Empowering student growth through UDL, personalized goals, and inquiry-based learning.

In this episode of UDL in 15 Minutes, host Loui Lord Nelson speaks with Elke Greite, a middle years IB teacher at Dresden International School, about shifting students' focus from product to process using Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Elke shares how personalized goal-setting, inquiry-driven learning, and the integration of IB’s Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills have transformed her visual arts unit on identity. Discover practical strategies for fostering student agency and deeper engagement.

132: Katy McBain: Empowering students through self-advocacy, personalized learning, and cognitive coaching.

Katy McBain, head of secondary school learning support at Dresden International School, shares how she and her colleagues empower students by fostering self-advocacy and ownership of learning. She discusses co-creating IEP goals, cognitive coaching, and personalized learning strategies, emphasizing a strengths-based approach to support neurodiverse learners.

131: Transform co-teaching with UDL insights from Kisa Laursen

Discover how Kisa Laursen transforms co-teaching through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) during this episode of UDL in 15 Minutes. You’ll hear about the 5 statements Kisa and her colleagues created to help every teacher in their building think about and plan for variability. She also talks about inclusive teaching, data-informed strategies, and building collaborative environments that empower students and educators alike.

130: Tom Tobin shares four critical knowledge gaps related to a higher education interpretation of the UDL 3.0 guidelines

In this episode of UDL in 15 Minutes, Loui Lord Nelson interviews Tom Tobin, an expert in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and higher education, as they explore four critical gaps in the UDL 3.0 guidelines. Together, they discuss how to adapt UDL principles for higher education by addressing grassroots assumptions, power dynamics, and the distinct needs of adult learners.

129: How UDL changed her relationship with her learners

Chisomo Katunga, a primary school teacher from Malawi, discusses her experiences implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) techniques. She shares how UDL strategies, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, transformed her teaching approach and positively impacted her students' engagement and learning outcomes. Chisomo emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual learning needs and fostering a supportive classroom environment.

128: Dalitso Ntambalika on enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes in Malawi's foundation classes

Dalitso Ntambalika, a primary school teacher in Malawi, shares her transformative experiences with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). She shares stories of two students: one who was very quiet and became more engaged through pair-sharing and another who was very, very active and learned new behaviors for learning through positive reinforcement. Dalitso's expereince highlights UDL's effectiveness in diverse classrooms.

127: How UDL is helping educators in Northwestern Nigeria connect with out-of-school children

Zacham Kabantiok, a dedicated educator from Wauro Jabbe Community School in Northeastern Nigeria, shares how UDL has helped her and other educators transform the lives of out-of-school children, foster inclusive learning environments, and empower students to overcome barriers.

126: Lillian Nave: Using UDL to design campus policies and procedures

Lillian Nave shares her experiences applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) at Appalachian State University's new Hickory campus. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility in teaching practices, communication strategies, and support for diverse student needs, particularly for first-generation students, as the university aims to create an inclusive and accessible educational environment.

125: Martha Dobboh: How UDL is changing teacher prep and teacher training in Liberia

Martha Dobboh is using UDL to shift her teach training courses so all of her learners understand not only the structure of UDL, but the heart of UDL - to include and value all learners. Hear how UDL has shifted the way her adult learners expereince education and how they are sharing that shift in their own lesson and learning environment design.