Introduction: Explore Universal Design for Learning

Dates
Monday, September 11 – Monday, December 11, 2023

Former Course Title: UDL101: Introduction to Universal Design for Learning

Description

We know from experience and science that individuals learn in varied ways—ways that are particular to them. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides educators with practical strategies and techniques to ensure that all learners can meet high expectations. In this introductory course, participants learn the research basis for UDL, practical applications of UDL to lesson design, and helpful technology tools that support flexible, inclusive instruction. Each course section brings together up to 35 educators in an online community of practice. The course consists of 14 asynchronous sessions.

This course is designed for anyone interested in the theory and practice of UDL. While many of our examples are K-12 focused, higher education faculty are welcome and encouraged to take this course to learn about UDL theory and consider how to apply it to their curricula.

Using the UDL framework and its practical guidelines, participants will gain:

• A working knowledge of the theory and research basis of UDL, including how individual variability plays out in different educational environments
• Strategies for evaluating and improving lessons to reach more varied learners and to support high levels of engagement and achievement for all learners
• Tips, guidelines, and techniques for applying UDL principles to the design of lessons and curriculum units that need to be aligned to educational standards
• Strategies for using new technologies, to make the curriculum more effective
• Access to and tips on using CAST learning, authoring, and planning tools such as: Book Builder, UDL Studio, UDL Editions, and UDL Curriculum Self-Check

Who should enroll?

Educators (general, special education, curriculum coordinators, administrators, instructional technology specialists, paraprofessionals, college and university faculty, adult education faculty and presenters, etc.) and teams of educators at all levels who are interested in learning about:

• How to address the learner variability in every classroom and school
• How to support students to become expert learners
• Cutting edge research from the learning sciences
• How to implement UDL strategies into their practice

This course is also open to parents who are interested in learning about UDL and how it can benefit their children.

Registration Options

• Instructor-Led Course Registration
  This online course is led by our team of incredible online learning instructors. Please note this is a 14-week course with a set start and end date. There is an assignment due at the end of every week and an instructor that monitors this course, grades assignments and provides feedback. The course is completely asynchronous, there are no live sessions.
• Instructor-Led Course Registration & Credential Bundle
  The bundle includes the course registration and a code to redeem the UDL Mindset Credential. To learn more about the UDL Credentials and Certifications please contact Learning Designed at support@learningdesigned.org.
• Paying with a Purchase Order
  If you are paying for your ticket with an invoice, Purchase Orders must be submitted at the time of registration to submit your order successfully. All Purchase Orders should be uploaded to the Purchase Order Submission Form at the time of registration.

To learn more about this online course, contact Patrice Morrison at pmorrison@cast.org.

We also offer this course (in a facilitated, scheduled format) to PreK-postsecondary institutions, as well as other organizations. For more information please email pl@cast.org.

Graduate Credit

CAST offers graduate credit for some of our online courses and institutes through our partnerships with accredited colleges and universities. If you are interested in graduate credit for this course, you will need to register and pay for the course through this webpage, and then you will need to register and pay for graduate credit directly through one of our graduate credit providers. For more information on graduate credit, please contact Patrice Morrison at pmorrison@cast.org or see our Graduate Credit FAQs.

Credit Equivalency

Coursework for this module is equivalent to a 45-contact-hour, graduate-level course. Participants who complete the course with a C- (71%) or better will receive an email that contains a printable PDF of an official CAST certificate.

Online Course Withdrawal Policy

Withdrawals must be submitted via email to the course instructor or the course administrator. Please note the specific withdrawal policies:

• Group-paced courses: Full refunds will be given to participants who email their withdrawal up to 7 days after the start of the course.
• Self-paced courses: Full refunds will be given to participants who email their withdrawal no later than 7 days from course enrollment.

Due to course demand, grading, and other work done on the part of course instructors and administrators, no refunds can be provided for withdrawals or no-shows once the above-listed deadlines have passed. 

If a participant withdraws from a group-paced course, they may enroll in the same course run during the subsequent semester. For self-paced courses, enrollment may be transferred to another course within twelve months of the original enrollment. Payment will be transferred automatically upon receipt of an emailed request to the instructor or administrator. Note that prior completed coursework cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of the course in which the participant will be newly enrolled.