Catlin Tucker

MARCH 28, 2023

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting with a group of international educators in Dubai grappling with these challenges. As I facilitated these sessions, I became increasingly excited about the potential of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), blended learning, and social-emotional learning (SEL) to foster deeper learning outcomes.

UDL 458

UDL Blended Learning Learning Assessment 458

User Generated Education

JUNE 8, 2017

Idea Generation: Learners, typically working in small groups, generate lots of ideas and questions to ask to solve the design thinking problem or challenge. This design can be pitched to another group for constructive feedback. Universal Design for Learning® (UDL). Design Thinking and UDL Planning Tool.

UDL 276

UDL STEM Tools Guidelines 276

Catlin Tucker

JANUARY 10, 2022

I teamed up with Dr. Katie Novak to write a follow-up to our book UDL and Blended Learning. In our second book, UDL and Blended Learning 2: Shifting to Sustainable Student-led Workflows (coming out in spring 2022), we tackle 10 unsustainable teacher-led workflows. Want to learn more about blended learning and UDL?

UDL 465

UDL Blended Learning Assessment Groups 465

Edsurge

JANUARY 13, 2025

Centering instruction in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and implementing both direct and student-driven instruction can help engage learners, address diverse needs and improve learning outcomes for all students. Students arrive in the classroom with a diverse range of needs, and helping them succeed isnt always straightforward.

UDL 153

UDL Classroom Learning Outcomes 153

Catlin Tucker

AUGUST 5, 2021

The station rotation model is a great way to introduce your class expectations to a new group of students while simultaneously building relationships and developing your class community. The groups cycle through the six stations twice in two weeks. For more information on grouping strategies, check out this blog.

UDL 521

UDL Blended Learning LMS Online Learning 521

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Part I: Transitioning from Whole Group to Small Group In the ever-evolving education landscape, one of the most pressing challenges teachers face is striking the right balance between time efficiency and ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all students. Students are different from each other in terms of how they learn.

UDL 417

UDL Blended Learning Education Groups 417

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 10, 2021

Instead, they can spend more time facilitating learning and working directly with small groups of students. It can be an online station in a station rotation , on-demand video content in a playlist , or a self-paced online activity in a whole group rotation. “But, I don’t want to send videos home with students.”

Strategy 543

Strategy UDL Blended Learning Video 543

Catlin Tucker

JULY 8, 2021

As educators, we have the challenge and honor to teach a dynamic and unique group of students each time a class period begins. Teachers can break the class into groups and ask students to start at a particular station and allow them to transition to the next station when they are ready.

Blended Learning 367

Blended Learning UDL Learning Assessment 367

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 8, 2023

It entails individualized education plans (IEPs), differentiated instruction, and universal design for learning (UDL) to meet diverse needs. The 6th-grade math teacher was seen at a large table, where she used adaptive tool data to pull a group of learners for targeted instruction.

Classroom 489

Classroom UDL Differentiated Instruction Adaptive Learning 489

Edsurge

AUGUST 13, 2018

Many educators know it as the building blocks behind Universal Design for Learning, or UDL. Developed by CAST , UDL is comprised of three guiding principles that seek to increase engagement and accessibility: Providing learners with multiple means of engagement; representation; and action and expression. It’s just an ed thing.

UDL 167

UDL Tools Classroom Microsoft 167

eSchool News

AUGUST 29, 2024

These digital environments allow learners to gain new perspectives and engage in group problem solving. But how does the concept of Universal Design Learning (UDL) fit into all this? Why is it so important now, and how can e-learning fulfill its requirements within the UDL framework? How can we shape them to fit UDL?

UDL 120

UDL Learning Course Analysis 120

Catlin Tucker

MAY 18, 2021

As Katie Novak and I write in UDL and Blended Learning: Thriving in Flexible Learning Landscapes (coming out May 29!), Teachers will have more time to interact with and support individual or small groups of students to differentiate instruction, supports and scaffolds, practice, and application.

Blended Learning 519

Blended Learning Learning UDL Online Learning 519

Dangerously Irrelevant

FEBRUARY 21, 2022

Despite my familiarity with all of the ISTE Standards, I have found that I am thinking much more deeply about the ISTE Standards for Educators as I go through this process with my cohort (which I appreciate)… One of our activities asked us to reflect on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines. They can embed audio or video.

UDL 265

UDL Guidelines Software Google 265

eSchool News

NOVEMBER 1, 2018

I thought I had a pretty good handle on universal design for learning (UDL), but after chatting with Katie Novak , Ed.D., Novak, author of UDL Now! Q: What exactly is UDL, and why does it matter? When I was young, we were tracked, starting in first grade, into “high” or “low” reading groups, gifted, etc.

UDL 112

UDL Differentiated Instruction Meeting Groups 112

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 17, 2023

Part III: Transitioning from Whole Group to Small Group to Achieve Equity in Education In the first blog post in this series, Time Efficiency vs. Equity in Education , I wrote about the tension between the demands on teachers’ time and the desire to provide equitable learning experiences.

Groups 206

Groups Blended Learning Differentiated Instruction Strategy 206

Neo LMS

NOVEMBER 27, 2018

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is thought to be the solution to the above problem. Every classroom is made up of a very diverse group of individuals, yet the curriculum is the same for everyone. UDL provides multiple means of representation. UDL provides multiple means of action and expression.

UDL 226

UDL How To Classroom Learning 226

ViewSonic Education

OCTOBER 8, 2024

To help you get started, weve got three easy-to-understand fundamentals of classroom inclusivity, all inspired by the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Whether through group discussions or mindfulness activities, students learn to manage emotions and understand others better, creating a kinder, more supportive environment.

UDL 243

UDL Classroom Mobility EdTech 243

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 11, 2024

At a recent workshop, a teacher posed a compelling question about the effectiveness of small-group versus whole-group instruction. This is only possible when we rely on instructional strategies and models that free the teacher to work with small groups to tailor their instruction and support.

Assessment 373

Assessment UDL Blended Learning Data 373

Catlin Tucker

JUNE 14, 2021

PLCs group teachers into learning teams that pursue their professional learning through a lens of interest. As a group, they identify an area of focus and craft a question to frame and focus their work together. This phase of the 5Es allows the group to share their learning and learn from one another. Looking for a summer read?

Professional Learning 425

Professional Learning Blended Learning Learning UDL 425

Catlin Tucker

DECEMBER 31, 2020

What is new is that the pandemic has shone a light on the ineffectiveness of a one-size-fits-all approach to educating a diverse group of students. These goals are hard, if not impossible, to achieve with traditional, teacher-led, whole group lessons. 8 Projects can turn the world into our curriculum.

Learning 544

Learning Blended Learning UDL Groups 544

Catlin Tucker

DECEMBER 12, 2023

In our newest book, Shift Writing into the Classroom with UDL and Blended Learning , Dr. Katie Novak and I guide teachers in creating the time and space to support all parts of the writing process in the classroom.

UDL 456

UDL Blended Learning Accessibility Classroom 456

Catlin Tucker

APRIL 28, 2023

One of the key advantages of using a digital format is that it allows you to easily make copies of the playlist and design different versions to meet the needs of different groups of students or to adapt to different learning objectives.

Blended Learning 434

Blended Learning UDL System Examples 434

eSchool News

DECEMBER 23, 2018

Inclusive educators often use Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to provide students with consistent access to engaging content and effective paths for achieving educational goals in classrooms where they experience a greater sense of belonging. The first principle of UDL invites teachers to use “multiple means of representation.”.

UDL 94

UDL Accessibility Video Training 94

Edsurge

MAY 17, 2022

The Academically Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Certified and Talent Development (TD) Catalyst teacher works with groups of gifted and advanced learners across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district in North Carolina. EdSurge: How do you bring the principles of UDL into your classroom—with or without the help of technology?

UDL 196

UDL Education EdTech Google 196

eSchool News

JANUARY 1, 2018

Inclusive educators often use Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to provide students with consistent access to engaging content and effective paths for achieving educational goals in classrooms where they experience a greater sense of belonging. The first principle of UDL invites teachers to use “multiple means of representation.”.

UDL 92

UDL Accessibility Video Training 92

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 29, 2021

While my students engaged in student-centered learning at the online and offline stations, I enjoyed the dedicated time to work with a small group of learners at my teacher-led station. I felt more effective and engaged working with a small group of students. Students can be grouped flexibly (e.g.,

Blended Learning 535

Blended Learning Secondary Chromebook Groups 535

Digital Promise

JUNE 23, 2021

It enabled students with autism to ask and answer questions in the chat, if it was more comfortable, and to work with students in smaller groups in breakout rooms. The virtual environment supported students with ADHD who might need to move around while learning. Districts designed scavenger hunts for students who are non-verbal communicators.

Adaptive Learning 282

Adaptive Learning Meeting AEM UDL 282

eSchool News

JULY 3, 2019

Applicable to every student in every classroom, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles of offering multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement help teachers leverage every child’s strengths while supporting a very personalized learning path based on student choice. 5 ways our LMS supports UDL.

UDL 78

UDL LMS Groups Personalized Learning 78

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

Blended learning tip: This is ideal for a small group collaborative activity as part of a station rotation or whole group rotation lesson. Ask groups of 4-6 students to work together to craft a collection of questions on a digital slide deck , like the one I’ve included below. Click to cop y.

Blended Learning 520

Blended Learning Groups Study Assessment 520

eSchool News

NOVEMBER 6, 2019

Professional learning communities (PLCs) offer a collaborative approach to professional development in which small groups of educators meet regularly to reflect on instructional planning and practice, share expertise and insights from their teaching experiences, and engage in collective problem-solving.

UDL 79

UDL Mobile Learning LMS Guidelines 79

eSchool News

MARCH 10, 2020

Applicable to every student in every classroom, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles of offering multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement help teachers leverage every child’s strengths while supporting a very personalized learning path based on student choice. 5 ways our LMS supports UDL.

UDL 78

UDL LMS Groups Personalized Learning 78

MiddleWeb

DECEMBER 5, 2018

Co-teaching/UDL coach and NBCT Elizabeth Stein makes the case for small group instruction being the very thing to engage co-teachers in co-designing accessible, meaningful learning and effective outcomes for everyone in inclusive classes. See: benefits for learners.

Groups 89

Groups UDL Outcomes Accessibility 89

Neo LMS

JULY 13, 2021

For this to occur, online education has to follow the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) standards, addressing learning barriers while providing multiple modes of engagement. This way, teachers can observe the evolution of students’ contributions even if they work in pairs or groups.

Tools 370

Tools Classroom Blackboard UDL 370

ViewSonic Education

MAY 23, 2024

The Philosophy Behind Modern Classroom Design Modern classroom design goes beyond aesthetics, embracing ideas from Active Learning and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to make learning inclusive and hands-on. Picture a classroom equipped with flexible furniture, advanced EdTech , writable walls, and cozy seating areas.

Classroom 284

Classroom UDL EdTech Accessibility 284

Catlin Tucker

AUGUST 23, 2024

Students are grouped based on their skill or ability levels and rotate through all the stations. Teacher 1: Provides targeted instruction tailored to each group’s needs, abilities, and skill levels. Teacher 2: Delivers the same instructional content or activity to all groups, regardless of their skill levels.

Classroom 394

Classroom Groups Differentiated Instruction Analysis 394

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 23, 2022

If teachers plan to differentiate their instruction to meet the specific needs of a group of students, I recommend using the station rotation model to work directly with small groups of students. The teacher can carousel around the group if students are working offline, providing written or verbal feedback.

Blended Learning 496

Blended Learning Differentiated Instruction Flipped Classroom Learning 496

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 5, 2021

Instead of collecting homework or practice activities and grading that work for accuracy, teachers can encourage pairs or small groups of students to spend time assessing their work using an answer key or exemplar and rubric. Creating inclusive learning environments is hard to achieve in a one-size-fits-all, whole group, teacher-led lesson.

Classroom 506

Classroom Blended Learning Groups Assessment 506