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.
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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