Welcome to "Ask the Tech Coach," a podcast for Instructional Coaches and Technology Integration Specialists. In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff welcomes Instructional Coach Brenny Kummer on the podcast to discuss how Universal Design for Learning can be deployed in your school district. If you would like to be a part of future podcasts and share your thoughts, please contact the podcast. We would love to have you join the show.

Join the TeacherCast Tech Coaches Network!

Are you a Tech Coach or looking to become one this year?
Are you searching for support in your position?

The TeacherCast Tech Coaches Network, is a dynamic Professional Learning Network designed specifically for Tech Coaches and designed to provide weekly support for all Instructional Coaches. Click Here to Join!

Question of the Week

Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section. This week’s question is: What is Universal Design and how can it be used to support digital learning in the classroom?

Weekly Topic

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Based upon brain research at Harvard by org
Promotes inclusive, accessible design for ALL
The learning environment is what you focus on changing, improving to champion variability and diversity by providing options to remove barriers

UDL in environment design – for all learners – including adult learners

Consider your learning goals
Consider what barriers may exist in reaching these goals
- Barriers = External aspects in the learning environment that may hinder learning. Examples: Time, pace, format of training, format of training materials
- Variability= Internal characteristics; what makes our learners unique; we can’t necessary change variability, but can celebrate it by removing barriers!
Consider what options can be provided to help remove learning barriers (use the UDL guidelines as a reference)
- Barriers to engagement: unsure of learning goal, little personal relevance, options/choice, self-reflection/assessment
  - UDL design solutions: Share instructional/coaching goals, provide choice in the trainings (options in training materials, modality, such as paper and online materials or self-paced vs. Guided), exit ticket reflections
- Barriers to representation: format of training materials, option to do guided practice
  - UDL design solutions: Accessible design of resources (closed captions, alt tagged, images, etc.), options in training materials/resources (video, text, images), provide option for guided practice/application of content
- Barriers to action, expression: format of interactivity in training sessions, reflection opportunities
  - UDL design solutions: Guided/scaffolded practice in the training, hands-on opportunities vs. Only sit and get, provide different ways for staff to interact with one another and the content in the training session (online chat boards, in person conversation, digital and online spaces)
- Reflect, redesign, reiterate!

Links of Interest on UDL

Coaching with UDL: Planning Sheet
UDL 101 HyperDoc Training (Self-Paced Training) with examples from classrooms
ISTE 22 Presentation: Spice Up Coaching with Educator Voice, Choice (and UDL)

About our Guest

Brenny Kummer

Brenny Kummer is the Assistant Director of Educational Technology for Bartholomew Consolidated Schools in Columbus, Indiana. She is a former middle and high school social studies teacher, graduate of the University of Arkansas Educational Technology Master’s program, and University of Arkansas Educational Tech student of the year in 2022. In her role, she serves as the sole tech coach for her district, trains staff on how to use UDL (Universal Design for Learning) to guide technology integration, supports assistive technologies across the district, and coordinates eLearning. She is a Google domain administrator, Google certified trainer, and LMS system administrator. Brenny has a passion for UDL and experience teaching in a full inclusion setting. She seeks to dismantle learning barriers through technology and provide accessible, inclusive learning environments for all learners. She has presentation experience at various levels: Indiana PATINS Access to Education conference, Indiana HECC conference, Indiana Connected Educators Conference, ISTE, IMS Global, UDL-IRN international summit, UDL-IRN Great Lakes, UDL-CAST events, and COSN diversity and inclusion panels.

Links of Interest

Twitter: @Brenny_Kummer
YouTube: Brenny Kummer
Website: Fresh BCSC Tech (blog, YouTube)

Contact the Podcast!

TeacherCast.net/VoiceMail
Twitter: @AskTheTechCoach
Email: feedback@teachercast.net

Subscribe to “Ask the Tech Coach”

Follow our Podcast on Social Media

The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast
Ask the Tech Coach Podcast | @AsktheTechCoach

Follow our Hosts

Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury
Susan Vincentz | @sv314dws

Join our PLN

Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week.

The Teach Better Podcast Network

The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom. Check out the recent episodes, subscribe, and learn more about the variety of shows!

Let’s Work Together

Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury
Email: info@teachercast.net
Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail
YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube
iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes

Check Out Additional TeacherCast Programming

TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/tcp)
Educational Podcasting Today (http://www.educationalpodcasting.today)
The Jeff Bradbury Show (http://www.BuildYourEDUBrand.com)

Need a Presenter?

Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!

[convertkit form=1044050]

What is Universal Design for Learning? 36:28 Share

Ask The Tech Coach

Shownotes Transcript

What is Universal Design for Learning?