Paupack Bytes Podcast

Join us for the 3rd part in this three-part series that breaks down the principles of Universal Design for Learning. This episode dives deeper into Multiple Means of Action and Expression and how you can unlock meaningful choice in how students take action in the learning process and how they can authentically communicate what they have learned.

In this episode I discuss choice boards and the various goals and intentions that can be met through the implementation of these tools that support Student-Centered Learning. I also discuss how these instructional gems can be structured to support the Universal Design for Learning guidelines.

Join me on this episode of Paupack Bytes as I sit down with Steve Brown, Emily Kotcho, Payne Vazquez, and Aimee Wentzell; some of the members of the Algebra I team at Wallenpaupack Area High School. These teachers are incorporating innovative teaching strategies that place their students at the center of the learning process. They will discuss the shifts they have made in their instruction that are actively engaging learners and making them construct knowledge and make meaning out of algebraic concepts.

Episode Resources:

·      Universal Design for Learning PDF

·      Universal Design for Learning Interactive Guidelines

·      Building Thinking Classroom

Tune into part 2 of this three-part series where I discuss UDL guidelines and align them with instructional practices and EdTech options that facilitate the integration of each of the guidelines. In this episode we discuss the principle of multiple means of representation or the “what” of learning. This includes the guidelines of perception, language and symbols, and building knowledge.

During the discussion of building knowledge, I reference Project Zero’s Thinking Routines from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. Take a look at these wonderful instructional moves that will help your students build knowledge and make meaning of new information!

This episode is part 1 of a 3-part series that will break down and dive into each of the principles of the UDL Guidelines: Multiple Means of Engagement, Multiple Means of Representation, and Multiple Means of Action & Expression. Multiple Means of Engagement is described as the why of learning connecting directly to the Affective domain. This principle focuses on understanding your students and their passions to make connections to what is relevant and motivating to them. Offering them choices that allow your standards and instruction to boost motivation and provide students the skills needed to move forward through productive struggle to provide the opportunities for deeper learning.

In this episode I sit down with Special Education teachers Ally Diefenbach and Janelle Krenitsky to discuss Universal Design for Learning guidelines. We give an overview of the guidelines and make connections between the power of EdTech and UDL. Join use for the dynamic conversation and see how EdTech is the key to unlocking UDL in your classroom!

In Episode 11, high school history teacher Rich McGinnis discusses using Minecraft Education with students to present their research findings about a Civil War battle. Rich has 20+ years experience in the classroom and always looks to integrate technology within his past lessons and units to promote engagement and deeper learning for his students. Tune in to hear how his instructional design unfolded for this project, his overall experience, and what he has learned from the process.

In Episode 10, M'Liss Bonagura shares her expertise and secrets on how she utilizes student choice to empower learners in her classroom. M'Liss is a science teacher here at the high school and during the episode we focus on her biology course.

I have heard from many teachers that student choice is difficult when the curriculum is large, and time is limited. This happens often in a course that has a state assessment. M'Liss explains how she uses these projects to enrich student understanding of already covered material, along with constructing new knowledge through additional research. Her living organisms project allows students to choose their organism, explain what makes it a living organism through planning research, curating and evaluating sources, and connecting new learning to prior knowledge. This assessment design not only displays a great strategy to empower learning but also highlights and instructional design that aligns with the Knowledge Constructor student ISTE Standard.

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Mike Soskil, a science teacher and WAEA union president who also serves as the chair of the PSEA AI Task Force, sits down to discuss his work in the AI frontier that dates back to 2016. Mike has a rich history in discussing education on the state, national, and world stage. His experience has led him to the ability to inform legislators on best practices and policy creation surrounding the topic of Artificial Intelligence in education.