UDL in 15 Minutes

UDL consultant Marijke Welten joins host Loui Lord Nelson to share how she adapted the One Page Profile, a person-driven planning tool, into a personal profile for all students. Marijke walks educators through each section of the tool, explains how student-expressed goals and barriers differ from educator-assumed ones, and offers practical strategies for bringing learner agency into UDL classrooms.

Discover how Courtney Wiley Martin, an inclusion specialist, and her colleague Casey, a PE teacher, used UDL to create a physical education course that continues to bring students with significant disabilities and general education peers together, transforming school culture and proving students lead the way to true inclusion.

Lukas Fehlings and Stewart Campbell share their plans to build a thriving UDL community in German-speaking countries. Hear their strategies for breaking language barriers, creating accessible resources, and connecting educators across borders. Whether you're building your own network or seeking collaboration ideas, this episode offers invaluable insights into grassroots movement-building that's transforming education in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

Discover how Wisconsin transformed UDL implementation statewide through a powerful mentor-driven approach. Join Loui Lord Nelson as she speaks with CAST 2025 UDL Innovative Practice Award winners Jo Miller and Michelle Ring-Hanson about their groundbreaking Implementation Trials Mentor Toolkit. Learn how this systematic, teacher-led process supported over 17,000 classroom observations, dramatically increased student engagement, and built collective efficacy across districts. Access their comprehensive toolkit and revolutionize UDL implementation in your school.

Join Maddy Gentry, Learning Support Teacher at Dresden International School, as she shares how UDL transforms co-teaching through critical lesson planning. Discover her breakthrough moment when vocabulary barriers disrupted a math lesson, leading to powerful insights about proactive barrier identification. Learn practical strategies for implementing UDL one step at a time in diverse classrooms.

Laura Maly-Schmidt, MYP Coordinator and Deputy Principal at the International School of Dusseldorf, shares her beginner's journey with Universal Design for Learning. Discover how she models UDL principles in leadership meetings, uses AI tools like LUDIA to create accessible materials, and takes practical first steps to support all learners while building an inclusive school culture.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.