Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

  • Mindsets for Success

    Educators will understand the mindset and values needed for creating accessible, compassionate, and rigorous learning outcomes for students.

  • Understand Specially Designed Instruction

    Educators will develop the skills for creating robust Individualized Education Plan (IEP) based learning experiences and supports relevant both to the needs of individual students and families and to the expectations of a modern universally designed standards based classroom.

  • Form Inclusive Education Partnerships

    Educators will understand how to work together across differing areas of expertise as well as understand their role within educational systems for creating equitable and inclusive learning environments and systems.

About the Course

Designed for educators (regardless of role) to learn how to bridge the gap between special education and general education practices in order to create more inclusive, rigorous, and individualized learning outcomes for all using SDI best practices with UDL

How the Course Works:

  • Watch the video introducing each module
  • Dive deeper into the content. Review readings and resources, the key is to self-differentiate. Choose what that works best for you and helps you better understand the content and engage with the lesson.
  • Post to the discussion board, interact with your classmates if you choose to, and make connections.
  • Complete a short self-assessment. These are diagnostic assessments and are ungraded. They are there to help you understand where your current knowledge stands.
  • With each module, there is an optional project task or thinking piece to help you propel your learning from this course into practice!
  • Taking the course for grad credit? Complete a final project for feedback
  • Receive your completion certificate for 45 continuing education hours or 3 graduate-level continuing education credits (as applicable).  

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)

  • 2

    Module 1: Mindsets for Success

    • Module 1 Video

    • Module 1 Resources

    • Module 1 Discussion Board

    • Self-Assessment. Use this quiz-style assessment to share some of your learnings from the course! It will not be graded but can be a fun way to capture your thinking!

    • Project (Optional)
  • 3

    Module 2: Bridging the Special Education & General Education Divide

    • Module 2 Video

    • Module 2 Resources

    • Module 2 Discussion Board

    • Self-Assessment. Use this quiz-style assessment to share some of your learnings from the course! It will not be graded but can be a fun way to capture your thinking!

    • Project (Optional)
  • 4

    Module 3: Why Universal Design for Learning as a Foundation

    • Module 3 Video

    • Module 3 Resources

    • Module 3 Discussion Board

    • Module 3 Self-Assessment

    • Project (Optional)
  • 5

    Module 4: Thinking about Specially Designed Instruction

    • Module 4 Video

    • Module 4 Resources

    • Module 4 Discussion Board

    • Self-Assessment. Use this quiz-style assessment to share some of your learnings from the course! It will not be graded but can be a fun way to capture your thinking!

    • Project (Optional)
  • 6

    Module 5: The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Process

    • Module 5 Video

    • Module 5 Resources

    • Module 5 Discussion Board

    • Self-Assessment. Use this quiz-style assessment to share some of your learnings from the course! It will not be graded but can be a fun way to capture your thinking!

    • Project (Optional)
  • 7

    Module 6: Forming Inclusive Education Partnerships

    • Module 6 Video

    • Module 6: Resources

    • Module 6 Discussion Board

    • Module 6 Self-Assessment

    • Project (Optional)
  • 8

    Module 7: Co-Teaching - What is it?

    • Module 7 Video

    • Module 7 Resources

    • Module 7 Discussion Board

    • Module 7 Self-Assessment

    • Project (Optional)
  • 9

    Module 8: High-Quality Paraprofessional Support and Practice

    • Module 8 Video

    • Module 8 Resources

    • Module 8 Discussion Board

    • Self-Assessment. Use this quiz-style assessment to share some of your learnings from the course! It will not be graded but can be a fun way to capture your thinking!

    • Project (Optional)
  • 10

    Module 9: Inclusive Lesson Planning

    • Module 9 Video

    • Module 9 Resources

    • Module 9 Discussion Board

    • Project (Optional)
  • 11

    Module 10: Leveraging the Sphere of Influence

    • Module 10 Video

    • Module 10 Resources

    • Module 10 Discussion Board

    • Self-Assessment. Use this quiz-style assessment to share some of your learnings from the course! It will not be graded but can be a fun way to capture your thinking!
  • 12

    Final Project

    • Final Project! - Grad Students

    • Course Feedback

Pricing options

Contact Ashley@novakeducation.com for additional group pricing options/questions.

About the Instructor

Zach Smith

Zach Smith was born and raised in Fresno, California. Growing up with siblings with disabilities, Zach saw first hand the impact of exclusionary instructional practices. After graduating from Fresno State, he began his career as a special education teacher. He worked for eight years in a small rural district named Sanger Unified. In his last three years with Sanger, he moved outside the classroom to co-lead the implementation of UDL for all teachers in the district. Zach has extensive knowledge in UDL; presenting, coaching, planning, and building organizational capacity around this initiative. In the fall of 2019, Zach started a new chapter in his professional journey as a student in Harvard’s Doctorate of Education Leadership program. Zach lives with his wife and best friend Dorothy, as well as their four daughters, Grace (9), Amy (7), Isabella (4), and Sydney(2). Zach is a passionate advocate for the power of inclusion to revolutionize the way teachers teach and as paramount for closing opportunity and achievement gaps in today’s classrooms.

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