2019 UDL-IRN International Summit

Overview of the UDL Reporting Criteria
This two-part session will introduce the UDL Reporting Criteria (UDL RC), developed by the
UDL-IRN Research Committee workgroup in 2017-2018, and describe how they can be used to
design, implement, and evaluate UDL-based practices and studies. We will describe the
development and purpose of the UDL RC and present the results of a pilot study applying the
UDL RCs to existing literature. This session will highlight how the UDL RC can be used by
researchers, practitioners, journal reviewers and editors. Participants will be invited to provide
feedback on the RCs for consideration by the UDL-IRN Research Committee.

Evaluating the UDL RC with existing K-12 literature
​In the second part of this session, we will present the results of a pilot study undertaken to
apply and evaluate the criteria. A team of researchers applied the criteria to a set of existing
studies and discussed how they defined each element. We sought to evaluate the usability of
the RC by applying them to published studies of UDL in order to develop a shared
understanding and interpretation of the criteria. We will present results from this pilot study
and discuss implications for users of the UDL RCs. We will highlight key issues of definition
and interpretation when criteria are used in practice. We will also discuss implications of the
RC for practitioners, researchers, and editors who use the UDL RCs.

Beyond the Keyboard: Implementing Speech Recognition Technology for Writing through a UDL Approach
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) creates a compelling context for teachers to integrate technology, by providing a lens to view how various features of the technology can be used to address learner preferences, and needs as well as challenges that arise from the learner’s interaction with the curriculum or environment.
This session will describe findings from a multiple case study that explored teacher experiences using speech recognition technology (SR) as part of writing instruction. The session will highlight how teachers used the UDL Design Cycle to make instructional decisions and address learner variability. UDL-based lesson plans will be shared and implications for implementing SR using a UDL approach will be discussed. Lastly, the session will describe how this study was conducted using the UDL Reporting Criteria published on the UDL-IRN website.

Universally-Designed Coaching for UDL Implementation: Meeting the Needs of All Teachers
In this session, we will share initial findings from a year-long UDL implementation study. Elementary and middle school teachers were provided with universally-designed coaching and support as they implemented UDL in their classrooms. Progress monitoring of UDL implementation fidelity informed teacher-selected implementation goals, and coaching was matched to individual teachers’ strengths, interests, preferences, and needs. Quantitative data related to teachers’ UDL implementation fidelity will be shared in addition to themes related to teachers’ coaching/support needs and preferences as they progressed toward robust UDL implementation.

Like UDL? Like Maker Spaces? Like Music? Like Design Thinking?
This is for you. Come and apply UDL to think about learner variability, making, and music.
Come and engage in design thinking to apply UDL and design thinking to David Rose, The Stones, and Lady Gaga!
Leave with variability in mind, and leave with some awesome music mixes!!!

Assessing Learning Outcomes in K-5 Classrooms: A UDL Implementation Case Study
In this session, the presenters will discuss the design and assessment of a UDL implementation project in a rural school district. The goals of the project included partnering with teachers to develop capacity for designing and implementing UDL-informed lessons and assessments and using multiple sources of data to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation project and to assess student learning outcomes. The presenters will discuss their methods, will share resources and reflections from the project, and will facilitate discussion and reflection among participants.

The Evolution of a UDL Implementation Fidelity Tool
Qualitative and quantitative findings from an ongoing study to validate the Universal Design for Learning - Implementation Fidelity Tool (UDL-IFT) will be shared along with information about the development of the tool including recent revisions based on YOUR expert feedback.

Moving Beyond What We Think We Know.  A Review of UDL Research
Universal Design for Learning is a framework for designing and optimizing teaching and learning based on scientific insights into how people learn. In this presentation, we describe selected findings from our review of 123 peer-reviewed papers, published between 2000 and 2019, that investigated the use of UDL in early childhood through postsecondary education settings. Highlights of our results include the finding that, despite the intention of UDL as a framework for all learners, UDL research studies are concentrated in journals targeted to special educators. The quantity and quality of research about UDL have consistently increased over time. The nature of research questions asked and the methods are dependent on the characteristics of participants and the educational contexts in which studies are conducted. Furthermore, this analysis shows there are significant differences in the underlying conceptualizations of UDL, suggesting that broad generalizations about the impact and efficacy of UDL are not likely to be productive. Implications for future UDL research are discussed.

Voices of experts in research on Universal Design for Learning
Over last twenty years, Universal Design Framework and its understanding have considerably evolved. In this research project, we interviewed 19 experts in research on UDL. The group of participants consisted of experts conducting current research on UDL as well as those with historical background in UDL. This is a second part of the data set presented at 2018 UDL IRN summit. The findings focus on experts’ perspectives on priorities in UDL research, measurement of UDL implementation outcomes, and future goals.