Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all, rather than making modifications for individual students’ needs. This course will encourage you to reflect deeply on your practice to focus on how you plan and teach, not just the content you teach.

Whether you’re a classroom teacher or outdoor nonformal educator, are an experienced professional or just getting started in the field, and are new to inclusion or have been leading inclusive programming for years, we hope this course will inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive and accessible for all learners.

Focus areas include:

• Understanding the principles of Universal Design for Learning.
• Describing terms, techniques, tools, and resources to promote inclusivity and access to better serve diverse populations, specifically those with learning differences, physical accessibility needs, and language barriers.
• Evaluating your current teaching practices/pedagogy and your setting to identify barriers to participation.
• Applying the principles of universal design for learning to your pedagogical practices to redesign a lesson, activity, or program.

This course content was designed by Michelle Silvers of Silver’s Lining PLLC, Estrella Risinger with the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education, Michelle Pearce and Lauren Pyle with the Environmental Educators of North Carolina, with contributions from Rebekah Jones and the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning.

Format: This is an asynchronous online course. 

• All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 6-week timeframe. Actual time to complete the course will vary, but we estimate it will take approximately 10 hours.
• We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage timely completion of assignments.  While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the courses will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.
• Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on forums and Padlet boards, and writing personal reflections.