Because of Oliver

Collaborative Series on Inclusion with Dr. Julie Causton of Inclusive Schooling. This seven minute video presents a story of inclusion, highlighting how the learning experience design decisions for some are good and available for all.

50% of K-12 students struggle with their communication skills, and 86% of students with SpLDs experience communication anxiety. An effective tool that supports these concerns is essential for the classroom, higher education, and the workplace. Present Pal is a UDL implementation tool that supports users to build their communication skills and confidence through interactive and accessible flashcards. This session will demonstrate the Present Pal app and how it grows and supports UDL teaching and learning. Innovative research will also be presented, discussing the challenges faced by students when communicating and presenting remotely.

Before You Begin

Please complete our collaborative “Introduce Yourself” Google Slides deck. The idea behind this being getting the conversation started around our session and getting connected before we dive into content!

Session Video Recording
Slide Deck
Session Handout

Despite Universal Design for Learning (UDL, Rose & Meyer, 2002) being internationally recognized as a framework that addresses students’ inherent learner variability and reduces their barriers to learning (Basham et al., 2018), little work has addressed the inherent variability of diverse teachers. In particular, all teachers will at some point face barriers to executive functioning; notably, this is of relevance as teachers adapt to distanced learning. This UDL talk launches discussion around the important question, “How can UDL best support diverse teachers in designing instructional experiences inclusive of both teacher and student variability?”

Session Video Recording
Slide Deck
Padlet
Resource Folder

Learning to code from a young age encourages all students to say Yes, I Can Code! In this session explore how Code Jumper creates a three-dimensional, hands-on coding experience for students of all ability levels. Explore the many ways Code Jumper engages students in the pillars of UDL, engagement, representation, and expression. 

Participants will:

• Learn the basics of Code Jumper
• Explore the Code Jumper curriculum 
• Learn how to use Code Jumper across settings
• Learn how Code Jumper meets the pillars of UDL

Session Video Recording
Code Jumper Flyer
Code Jumper Site

Significant challenges exist in implementing transformative technologies with a limited or non-existent evidence base for their use, and designing inclusive educational experiences with a limited evidence base is even more challenging. In order to address this need, the talk presents some ways in which educators can make informed implementation decisions around these new tools. 

First, we examine the rule of the least dangerous assumption, which supports trying new technologies even if the evidence base is lacking. Next, we present a strategy that educators can use to apply the research-based framework of UDL in order to make informed implementation choices with new technologies. Finally, based on information gained from experience in providing professional development, school level implementation, individual student interventions and teacher focus groups, the talk presents 5 fun propositions for practice.

Session Video Recording
Interactive Notes Document

This tool is written for parents/caregivers to navigate and support their children’s learning at home. It was written in response to the shift to learning-at-home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic although the strategies are just as relevant now that most students in Australia have returned to school. The tool recognises the challenges and frustrations parents/caregivers and their children may face in making sense of the learning that has been sent home. This tool is also relevant to educators planning work during the COVID-19 pandemic or another situation that requires a student to be learning-at-home (e.g., recovering from surgery).