UDL in 15 Minutes

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UDL in 15 Minutes. Where educators share their implementation of Universal Design for Learning with host Loui Lord Nelson.

Loui Lord Nelson


    • May 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 15m AVG DURATION
    • 138 EPISODES

    5 from 13 ratings Listeners of UDL in 15 Minutes that love the show mention: great, udl.



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    Latest episodes from UDL in 15 Minutes

    135: Karen Winston-Carpenter coaches new teachers on UDL through empathy and using manageable steps.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 15:59


    Karen Winston-Carpenter, a 24-year veteran teacher and teacher on special assignment in East Cleveland Schools, discusses how she introduces UDL to new educators. She emphasizes creating safe spaces for teachers to try new approaches, "chunking" UDL concepts to make them manageable, modeling empathy, and encouraging reflection through video self-assessment and peer collaboration. Her coaching evolved from focusing on standards to honoring teacher voice and choice.

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 16:53


    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.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 14:57


    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.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 15:05


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 16:26


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 20:04


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 15:31


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 18:42


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 15:45


    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.

    Lillian Nave: Using UDL to design campus policies and procedures

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 22:09


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 16:20


    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.

    124: Liliana Vidal on teaching English as a second language to students with disabilities in Argentina

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 16:16


    Liliana Vidal shares the importance of inclusive education for students with disabilities in English as a second language (ESL) classrooms. Liliana, an experienced English teacher from Argentina, shares her journey of implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to create a more accessible learning environment. She emphasizes the need for diverse teaching methods that cater to the various learning styles of students, particularly those with disabilities. Through the use of visual aids, technology, and hands-on activities, she illustrates how UDL can enhance engagement and representation in language learning. Liliana also highlights the significance of fostering self-regulation and emotional support to help students overcome challenges, ultimately aiming to empower all learners to achieve their potential in a supportive classroom setting.

    123: Growing UDL organically for effective adoption - the views of a seasoned UDL leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 18:17


    In this episode of UDL in 15 Minutes, host Loui Lord Nelson sits down with Patrick McGrath to discuss the organic growth of UDL in educational settings. Patrick shares insights from his work with a group of schools within the LEO Academy Trust that initially adopted a one-to-one technology approach without a formal UDL framework. As the schools embraced inclusive practices unintentionally, Patrick saw a transformation towards UDL principles, resulting in significant improvements in student outcomes and a reduction in special education needs registrations. The conversation delves into the shift towards redefining inclusion and the pivotal moment when UDL was formally introduced, leading to a more intentional and effective approach to pedagogy.

    Feed Drop: Think Inclusive - Using AI to Support Learners with Disabilites in the Classroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 26:52


    This is my chance to introduce you to another podcast. Think Inclusive is hosted by Tim Villegas and produced by the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education. While this podcast is not specifically about UDL, the ideas shared definitely align with the framework. During this episode of Think Inclusive, Tim talks with DJ Nicholson. She is an experienced educator and advocate for inclusive education. She has a background in special education and has worked with students with disabilities for many years. DJ is passionate about finding innovative ways to support learners with disabilities and believes that technology, including AI, can play a crucial role in creating inclusive learning environments.

    122: A plant helped Elaina apply UDL and shift her approach to professional development

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 20:55


    Elaina Fennell shares her journey of shifting her approach to delivering professional development by embracing Universal Design for Learning (UDL). In this episode, Elaina dives into the importance of learner variability, teacher efficacy, and intentional design to facilitate meaningful and accessible learning experiences.

    121: How the question, "Am I leaving anyone out?" drives inclusion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 23:03


    Heather Avery and Anthony Carey share their experiences with UDL implementation in New Brunswick, focusing on the importance of asking, ā€œAm I leaving anyone out?ā€ Heather discusses their work in designing a professional learning program that prioritizes inclusivity and support for educators. Anthony emphasizes the importance of setting up systems for effective UDL implementation.

    120: UDL unites teachers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Here's how.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 20:36


    Chynel McCrink and Colin Syron, two primary school teachers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, respectively, about their experiences with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). They discuss how the UDL framework has helped establish a shared language for teaching across Ireland and how it has transformed their approach to education. Chynel and Colin share their personal journeys with UDL, the differences in teacher professional development between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the impact of the partnership between the National Education Authorities, Microsoft, and Lasell University has had on teacher leaders in both regions. They also reflect on their a-ha moments during the UDL course and how UDL has empowered them as educators.

    119: Arie Werder, Part 2. The collaborative effort of lowering barriers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 15:01


    Arie continues to share her invaluable college, teacher college, and teaching experiences as someone diagnosed with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and ADHD.

    Part 1: Arie's diagnosed learning needs and her K-12 and college experiences drive her strong connection to UDL

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 14:21


    Arie Werder, a district educational technology district consultant teacher, bravely shares her K - 12 through college experiences as a learner with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD with a lead up to why UDL feels like home to her.

    117: How UDL shifted Tracy Dabbs' PD design

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 15:04


    With a diverse student population, Burlington-Edison School District needed a common instructional framework. UDL was adopted and transformed Tracy's understanding of instructional design and her PDs. During this podcast, she talks about shifting from the checklist mentality, embracing learner variability, expert learning and flexible goals as the tenets of UDL. She ends with a great story about the power of feedback loops.

    116: "While UDL is very aspirational, we still commit to it and do what we can"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 17:02


    Former guest Liz Hartmann from Lasell University and the Harvard Graduate School of Education shares how her understanding and implementation of the framework have evolved over time. She shares her thoughts on the dynamic nature of UDL and the need for educators to be flexible and open to growth.

    115: Jana Nicol returns and shares how her roles have influenced her connection to UDL

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 13:32


    Jana Nicol returns to UDL in 15 Minutes to share her experiences and growth through the use of the UDL framework. Her roles have changed over the last four years and have directly influenced her interpretation and application of the framework.

    114: Business owners talk deeply about our nervous system and how it affects everything we do

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 14:31


    The principle of Engagement is entirely rooted in the nervous system. Anne Bishop and Chantill Lopez use their deep knowledge of the nervous system to help educators tap into that critical piece of UDL all while using UDL to develop their own instruction. This is the second podcast of a 2-part series.

    113:How these business entrepreneurs use UDL in their business design and their teaching

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 13:32


    Anne Bishop and Chantill Lopez share their backgrounds with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and movement education as well as their experiences of applying UDL to their business, The Embodied Business Institute. By leveraging brain-based learning, motivation science, and the nervous system, they help entrepreneurs and educators create meaningful and sustainable businesses. Stay tuned for Part Two to learn more about their approach.

    112: 24 years of collaboration. 64 collective years as high school teachers. Year 1 of UDL. Choice and co-created rubrics brought positive change.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 15:12


    Kelly Ackerman and Lisa Renz have collaboratively taught for 24 years and have taught 31 and 33 years respectively. They are also brand new to UDL. In this episode, share how they brought choice into their English II lessons and co-created rubrics with their learners. They also share their amazing results.

    111: A trifecta: students understanding their own learning needs, gaining empathy, and creating inclusive and accountable learning processes.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 16:21


    Kelly shares her experience of guiding students to create ā€œBrain Storiesā€, which help them understand their own learning needs and the needs of others. She also shares the benefits and challenges of co-creating rubrics with her students, ensuring inclusivity and accountability in the learning process.

    110: After 14 years of co-teaching together, UDL changed up how they approached lesson development and instruction

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 14:42


    Co-teachers Kyanne Obrock and Carrie McSwain share how they saw a significant increase in student effort and motivation when they started designing lessons that shifted from planning for individual students to planning for learner variability. They created a learning environment where students worked individually, in groups, and checked-in at prescribed time so they could receive individualized feedback.

    109: Principal Gayle Hines excites and entices her staff to learn about UDL - and they love it!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 16:07


    Gayle Hines, principal at Matoaca Middle School in Richmond, Virginia, shares how she prepares her staff to learn about UDL and the strategies she uses to make UDL PD effective and enticing to her staff.

    108: Beth Stark and JƩrƩmie Rostan introduce us to LUDIA, an AI UDL thought partner

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 15:53


    Beth Stark and JĆ©rĆ©mie Rostan, the co-creators of the AI tool LUDIA, share how educators can use the process of ā€œtell, tinker, tweak, and transferā€ to enhance their journey with Universal Design for Learning. We dispel common myths about AI and listeners will walk away with clear next steps to use LUDIA as part of their toolbox.

    107: How Doug Smith and colleagues use UDL to design adaptive PE environments

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 15:17


    Doug Smith, an adapted physical education specialist, discusses his journey with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how he applies it in his work. During our conversation, he explains that adapted physical education is required by law for students who have difficulty accessing the physical education curriculum. Doug emphasizes the importance of creating an engaging environment, modifying the physical space, and establishing a predictable schedule to support all learners. He also shares his three big E's as a way he's introduced UDL to his colleagues.

    106: Creating safe, inclusive, power-sharing learning spaces in higher education

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 14:42


    Kade Friedman, an adjunct professor at New York University, shares their journey in education and how they use UDL to create inclusive learning spaces for adults. They discuss the importance of using UDL not only in teaching students, but also in designing courses and facilitating meetings. Kade emphasizes the value of sharing power with students and colleagues, providing choices and options, and acknowledging and addressing their emotional needs. They also highlight the benefits of using collective note-taking and assigning roles in meetings and classrooms. Kade encourages educators to consider affinity groups and honor diverse cultures and languages in their teaching and interactions.

    105: Using a combination of UDL, shared unit planning, and a focus on Power Standards to help Middle School students build their executive functioning skills

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 17:36


    Shannon Costley and Megan Babb discuss how they have used a combination of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), shared unit planning, and a focus on Power Standards to guide their middle school learners back to the face-to-face classroom after the pandemic shutdown.

    104: How one co-op has improved the engagement and expression of ALL learners via a flexible digital tool.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 16:58


    Kyle Carlin and Andrea Wichers from the West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative discuss how they have implemented a UDL-aligned flexible digital tool, Read and Write, and how it has improved students' engagement and expression.

    103: Jeremy and Stephanie of Pike Valley School District in Scandia, Kansas talk about specific system supports they use to provide ongoing support and help staff embrace UDL.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2023 14:44


    Jeremy Miller, the principal of Pike Valley Junior/Senior High School, and Stephanie Jensen, a Resource Teacher at the same school, discuss their school's journey with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). They highlight the importance of both instructional and technical leadership skills in implementing UDL effectively. Jeremy and Stephanie share how they have created structures and provided support to help their staff embrace UDL. They also discuss the integration of UDL with other statewide requirements and their plans for the future.

    102: How a statewide book study series is spreading the UDL word

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2023 13:23


    In this episode, Loui Lord Nelson interviews Nicole Glynn and Nicole Peters about their experiences with UDL and their facilitation of the Kansas Interstate book study. They discuss their journey with UDL, the design of the book studies, and the activities they provided for high-level thinking during the discussions. They also talk about the professional development standards they incorporated into the book studies and their plans for future book studies. ​ Key Takeaways: ​ 1. The Kansas Interstate book study was initiated by the state Infinitec program and expanded to include participants from both Kansas and Illinois. 2. The book studies were designed to provide examples of UDL and promote high-level thinking among participants. 3. The discussions were framed around the professional development standards and included activities and small group discussions to engage participants. 4. The book studies will continue in the next school year with a focus on "The Shift to Student Led" book by Catlin Tucker.

    101: PLCs plus coaching impact statewide UDL professional learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2023 13:08


    Cindy Malone of Kansas Infinitec shares how a statewide system of UDL Professional Learning Communities and coaching have shifted technology use across Kansas.

    I'm a brain master: When students are fully empowered

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 15:17


    Brandon shares how he used his Tell me about UDL bulletin board to empower his learners to learn about UDL and become strong self-advocates.

    Truly weaving in UDL: One district's story

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 22:05


    Mary Waldron and Michaela Clancy of Washington share how equity work and MTSS were Clover Park School District's springboard into the UDL.

    98: How students established the push for inclusion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2023 15:59


    Sara Lucero and Cassie Stevens return for part 2 of their story about how inclusion became a central part of Olympic View Elementary School.

    97:How one principal is dismantling self-contained classrooms with the help of UDL.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2023 16:39


    This episode continues our journey with the Inclusionary Practices Project in Washington. Sara Lucero, the principal of Olympic Park Elementary School, shares the steps she took to shift away from self-contained environments to inclusive classrooms and how UDL influenced that shift. Cassie Stevens shares how the project supported Sara's vision and actions.

    Special edition: ā€What does UDL look like?ā€ This tool answers that.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 12:40


    The ultimate UDL question is ā€œwhat does UDL look like?ā€ Loui shares how her new tool, The UDL Gears, helps UDL users in all fields and around the world shift that question to, "What are the consistencies of UDL application?" In this episode, guest host Dakota Hudelson (from episode 8) is asking the questions and Loui is the guest!

    96: Student stories and the power of UDL from Castlerock Early Childhood Learning Center

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 14:11


    You know you've got a strong design when other districts want to visit and learn from you. Janelle, Heidi, and Emily share some #UDL-driven student-specific stories in Part 2 of their podcast about Castlerock Early Childhood Learning Center in Wenatchee School District.

    95: Janelle, Emily and Heidi share how their UDL focus has improved early childhood outcomes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 16:27


    Janelle Bersch, Emily Wilgus, and Heidi Schroeder share how they're using UDL to create classrooms where all students have access to what they need. Period.

    94: Kelly Correio and Laurie Sarver honestly share their UDL journey so far

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2023 15:52


    Finding the time and energy to get going with UDL (and to keep going) takes focus. Kelly Correio from ESD 123 and Laurie Sarver from Kennewick School District in Washington share an honest story of how they've put theory into practice to move the idea of UDL into practice across the district.

    93: Over time, a 1% change makes a huge difference

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2023 13:42


    The Highland School District began their journey with UDL in 2019. In just three years, they've made measurable strides by adopting the 1% change concept. Small changes over time lead to big growth. Kathleen Lenihan and Courtney Sund share the steps they've taken during this journey.

    92: Including everyone, from teachers to bus drivers, in professional learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 15:51


    Lindsey Hicks Frazier, an inclusionary practice project lead who works through ESD 101, shares how Valley District's leadership aligned around inclusive practices and how their professional development includes everyone, from teachers to bus drivers.

    91: Ann and Victoria share how adult authentic learning was key to shifting instruction and dramatically changing student outcomes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2023 14:20


    We know that choice is important for all learners, so when building leaders embed choice in building PD, engagement goes up! Ann and Victoria share how they wove in choice and authentic learning and the incredible outcomes staff achieved at Blue Heron Middle School.

    90: Gahlya Auel and Liza Sejkora: Accelerating UDL-aligned inclusive practices through focused leadership support

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2023 18:17


    Gahlya and Liza share how Ocean Beach School District has used administrative PLCs to look at LRE data and student report data on their sense of belonging, make decisions, and affect significant change in their schools around inclusion and instruction.

    89: Jenny Parker talks about replication and other simple tips to help you adopt UDL

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2023 14:05


    Jenny Parker, the regional administrator for special programs and professional development with ESD 113 inĀ  the state of Washington brings us the overarching ideas that can help teachers start with UDL: replicating the practice of others who are more experienced, co-planning, and self-reflection using video recording. The second episode in the Association of Educational Service District's (AESD) Inclusionary Practices Project series.

    88: Cassie and Lori share details and outstanding results from their statewide inclusion project in Washington.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2023 15:37


    The Inclusionary Practices Project in the state of Washington has had a statewide impact that every educator needs to hear about. This is the first podcast in a series that shares how these educators have improved inclusive practices across the state and it all started during covid lockdown!

    87: Two principals share how UDL has helped their school include students with significant disabilities

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2022 16:50


    Current principal Katie Day and former principal Brett Boezeman share how Schmitt Elementary's inclusion of students with significant disabilities in general education settings has grown over the years through the implementation of UDL.

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