Universal Design - OpenSciEd
Professional Learning Session Overview

Universal Design

Amplifying the Universal Design for Learning features embedded in OpenSciEd’s materials

Session Overview

This two-day professional development session focuses on the overarching question – How do we enact and modify curriculum to reduce barriers and leverage student resources? It assumes the prerequisite completion of the Launch Professional Learning and previous experience teaching an OpenSciEd unit. Included in this session are opportunities for teachers to:

  • Identify ways that OpenSciEd lessons are designed to address the principles of UDL 
  • Identify instructional strategies that align with the UDL Principles to support student learning. 
  • Analyze lessons to identify goals, potential barriers, and ways to use the UDL Principles to remove barriers and create flexible paths to learning.
  • Identify strategies for Emergent Multilingual Learners (EML) that align with the UDL principles.
  • Engage in the actual lessons of the unit as a student.

All of the instructional materials associated with this professional learning session are available for download from the Access the Instructional Materials page.

Session Agenda

Day 1: How do UDL principles inform the design and enactment of OpenSciEd curriculum?

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Guiding Question:

How do UDL principles inform the design and enactment of OpenSciEd curriculum?

Participants will understand:

  • The 3 Principles of UDL and how they can be used to support learning experiences that meet the needs of all learners
  • Ways in which the OpenSciEd Anchoring Phenomenon Lesson is designed to address some of the principles of UDL
  • Strategies that align with the UDL Principles to support students
  • The anchoring phenomenon routine and storyline for a focal unit

Length:

  • 1 hours – Introduction: Introduce Principles of UDL and Analyze Video
  • 5 hours – Unit Specific: Experience the anchoring phenomena routine and build the storyline with a focus on UDL.
  • 1 hour – Closing: Reflection and analysis of OpenSciEd lessons

Day 2: How can we apply the UDL principles as we enact OpenSciEd in our context?

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Guiding Question:

How can we apply the UDL principles as we enact OpenSciEd in our context?

Participants will understand:

  • The 3 UDL steps for analyzing and modifying lessons to remove barriers
  • How to use UDL during enactment to remove barriers and increase access for students’ unique learning profiles
  • Specific strategies for Emergent Multilingual Learners (EML) that align with the UDL principles
  • How to set up and facilitate students in the key student investigations and discussions from the unit

Length:

  • 1 hours – Introduction: Analyze lessons using 3 UDL steps.
  • 5 hours – Unit Specific: Experience key lessons and reflect on lessons using UDL Principles.
  • 1 hour – Closing: Reflection and analysis of OpenSciEd lessons