Online Professional Development
Universal Design for Learning Course
FREE Online Professional Development
Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that offers an approach to designing a learning environment that considers the wide range of learner variability. The five UDL online modules provide professional development for educators who want to learn about and implement the UDL framework.
Participants have 30 days to complete each module and can receive up to 30 CPEs if they complete all five modules (6 CPEs per module). To register, click on the module title below or go to the ESC-Region 4 professional development webpage.
In this module, you will gain an understanding of the need for UDL in today’s classrooms. You will be introduced to the key vocabulary, foundational concepts, and perspective needed to fully grasp the complexity and significance of the UDL Framework.
In this module, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the UDL framework, including its structure, curricular components, and the research behind it. You will understand the alignment between the 3-brain networks for learning and the three UDL guiding principles.
In this module, you will take a deep dive into the UDL principle of Multiple Means of Engagement and the associated checkpoints. Through scenarios, examples, and activities, you will explore sample lesson plans and apply your understanding of how and when to utilize the UDL strategies associated with this principle.
In this module, you will take a deep dive into the UDL principle of Multiple Means of Representation and the associated checkpoints. Through scenarios, examples and activities, you will explore sample lesson plans and apply your understanding of how and when to utilize the UDL strategies associated with this principle.
In this module, you will take a deep dive into the UDL principle of Multiple Means of Action and Expression and the associated checkpoints. Through scenarios, examples, and activities, you will explore sample lesson plans and apply your understanding of how and when to utilize the UDL strategies associated with this principle.
TX CAN Statewide Initiative
TX CAN has created online learning materials to support effective and rigorous instruction for students with complex access needs. While all are free, we offer a mix of self-paced and facilitated courses to support your professional development needs.
TX CAN has eight new online courses to support effective and rigorous instruction for students with complex access needs! These include:
- Accessible Instructional Materials
- Coaching & Team Meeting Basics for Inclusive Education
- Peer Networks
- Universal Design for Learning
- Support for Participation
- Transitioning from Self-Contained to General Education
- Presuming Competence
- Fundamentals of Inclusive Education
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology Internet Modules (ATIM) is designed to provide high-quality information and professional development on assistive technology (AT). Each module guides the viewer through case studies, instructional videos, pre- and post-assessments, a glossary, and much more. Module topics include: (1) AT Assessment Process in the School Environment; (2) AT Consideration in the IEP Process; (3) AT for Administrators; (4) AT Implementation; (5) AT Supports and Services in the IEP; (6) Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) / Speech-to-Text; and (7) Navigating Accessible Instructional Materials.Free, Viewer needs to create an account, Self-Paced, estimated completion 1 hour, Project of OCALI, Ohio
This online course is focused on strategies to help improve the accessibility of the materials your students use for learning. Module topics include: (1) Introduction to Accessible Educational Materials and Technologies; (2) How to Make Documents Accessible; (3) How to Locate Captioned Videos and Create Captions; (4) How to Find Specialized Formats of Print Materials; and (5) How to Select Accessible Digital Materials.Free, Self-paced
The Assistive Technology in Texas Schools Series contains 10 online modules builds knowledge and skills in Assistive Technology (AT) service delivery at various levels. The content of each module directly supports the legal mandate of IDEA 2004 that requires that AT devices and services be provided to a student with disabilities if required as a part of the student’s Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).Free, Self-paced, TATN Network
The Texas Assistive Technology Network (TATN) has collaborated with other statewide organizations and national speakers to offer informative webinars centered around assistive technology.Free, have to download Blackboard Collaborate Launcher to view the recorded webinars
This collection of videos guides the viewer through common barriers related to literacy, social, organization, and writing skills for individuals with ASD. Each video provides the viewer with information about the barriers, the AT assessment process, and case studies that highlight various ages, skill levels and potential AT solutions.Free, self-paced, Each video is 1 hour, Ohio
Data-Based Individualization (DBI)
The National Center on Intensive Intervention has developed this interactive self-paced module that:- defines intensive intervention and DBI;
- describes how intensive intervention fits within a tiered system such as MTSS, RTI, or PBIS; and
- demonstrates how intensive intervention can provide a systemic process to deliver specialized instruction for students with disabilities.
Free, self-paced (average completion time: 45 minutes-1 hour)
This online module overviews data-based individualization and provides information about adaptations for intensifying and individualizing instruction.Free, self-paced (average completion time: 3 hours), Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
This online module offers information on making data-based instructional decisions and provides strategies for collecting and analyzing progress monitoring and diagnostic assessment data in reading and math. Free, self-paced (average completion time: 3 hours), Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
This training module is designed to introduce schools interested in implementing intensive intervention to the infrastructure needed to implement data-based individualization (DBI). The training module is organized for school leaders to facilitate with school teams. The module includes presentation slides with integrated activities and handouts to help teams determine their readiness and develop an action plan for implementation.Free, downloadable materials to organize training module.
This training module provides a rationale for intensive intervention and an overview of data-based individualization (DBI). Two case studies, one academic and one behavioral, are used to illustrate the process and highlight considerations for implementation. The training module is organized for a knowledgeable professional to facilitate with professional staff. The module includes presentation slides with integrated activities and provides suggested activities to support the understanding and application of training content.Free, downloadable materials to organize training module.
Intensifying Interventions for Struggling Students through Data-Based Individualization in Academics
This recorded webinar provides a foundational understanding and an overview of the data-based individualization process (DBI). Viewers will learn the essential components of the DBI process while relevant student examples in academics are modeled. Free, self-paced, 52 minutes
This series of professional learning modules are designed to assist district or school teams involved in initial planning or implementation of data-based individualization (DBI) as a framework for providing intensive intervention in academics and behavior. The individual learning modules are targeted and provide an overview of the DBI process and more in-depth exploration of the various components of DBI. The modules are designed to be delivered by a trained, knowledgeable professional. Presentation slides or videos, handouts, and a coaching guide with suggested coaching activities are provided.
This online module focuses on intensive intervention in reading and answers the questions, (1) why is intensive intervention in reading important? and (2) how does data-based individualization (DBI) apply to reading?Free, self-paced, Downloadable materials
This online course contains 8 modules that provides viewers with an opportunity to extend their understanding of intensive instruction through in-depth exposure to Data Based Individualization (DBI) in mathematics, complete with exemplars from actual classroom teachers.Free, self-paced Downloadable materials, UCONN
Inclusion for Administrators
This online training module introduces campus administrators to special education inclusive practices. Administrators will receive an overview of different inclusive support models such as Co-Teaching, Facilitated Support, In-Class Support, and Consultation. Case studies featuring inclusion practices and outcomes for students with disabilities are also provided.1 hour of time, Free, Course ID 55468
This online course provides school administrators essential background and explanation of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) process for students with disabilities. Explore the most effective strategies to implement before, during, and after an ARD meeting to ensure legal compliance. Learn best practice tips at each stage to improve communication and collaboration at campus meetings.2 hours of Credit, Free, Course ID 60790
Through this self-paced online course, viewers will understand the concept of inclusion and why it is important, possess the knowledge required to lead the change to create an inclusive school environment, understand how to create a climate for inclusion, and recognize how to sustain an inclusive school environment.Free, self-paced, estimated completion time 2 hours, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
Inclusive Practices (Reading & Math)
Inclusion
Through this self-paced online course, viewers will understand the concept of inclusion and why it is important, possess the knowledge required to lead the change to create an inclusive school environment, understand how to create a climate for inclusion, and recognize how to sustain an inclusive school environment.Free, self-paced, estimated completion time 2 hours, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
Reading
This online module is designed to increase the viewer's knowledge and skills in current practices in the area of Literacy. Viewers will learn what phonemic awareness is, why it is important and how to improve their students' skills in this area. Free, self-paced, Need to create an account, Virginia
This online module focuses on intensive intervention in reading and answers the questions, (1) why is intensive intervention in reading important? and (2) how does data-based individualization (DBI) apply to reading?
Free, self-paced, Downloadable materials
This online module provides strategies on how to adapt comprehension instruction to improve instructional modeling, provide practice opportunities, elicit frequent responses, and give effective feedback.Free, self-paced
This online module provides strategies on how to adapt word reading instruction to improve instructional modeling, student practice, and approaches to giving feedback.Free, self-paced
The Phonological & Phonemic Awareness Toolkit helps teachers and families understand the difference between phonemic and phonological awareness and how to support a child's development of these important reading skills. The toolkit includes online tutorials, instructional videos, and supporting materials.Free, downloadable materials
This video series demonstrates research-based instructional reading strategies in middle school classrooms. Topics include:- Generating Questions (Comprehension)
- Fluency Instruction
- Morphemic Analysis (Vocabulary)
- Syllable Structure (Decoding)
- Summarization
- Main Idea (Comprehension)
- Anticipation-Reaction Guides (Comprehension)
- Frayer Model (Vocabulary)
- Explicit Instruction
Free, University of Texas at Austin
This online module addresses the question, “I think that learning to read is like learning to speak. It's developed through a process that all children naturally go through. Isn't this correct?” This online module addresses this question detailing how research should inform the practice of what planning for and providing effective literacy instruction should look like.Free, 31 minutes, University of Texas at Austin
This online module responds to questions educators frequently ask when planning for and providing effective literacy instruction. The intent of the online module is to address the research behind the questions to inform literacy instruction. The module answers the questions: (1) Should I teach students to use semantics and syntax to read words they don’t know? (2) Should I teach students to guess a word based on pictures, context, and/or the first letter of the word? (3) When a student struggles with the alphabetic principle, should the student practice reading decodable texts, leveled/predictable texts, or both?Free, 36 minutes, University of Texas at Austin
This online module provides research-based methods for developing students’ phonological awareness from prekindergarten through the early elementary grades.Free, 36 minutes, University of Texas at Austin
Math
This collection of training modules are designed for elementary school leaders, teachers, interventionists and instructional coaches to build their capacity to students who require intervention in mathematics. Training module topics include: (1) Basic Facts and Computations: Building Fluency and Conceptual Understanding; (2) Early Numeracy Intervention (Grades 1 and 2); (3) Focus on Counting and Place-Value Concepts; and (4) Fraction Concepts and Procedures.Free, self-paced, Downloadable materials
This collection of training modules are designed for middle school leaders, teachers, interventionists and instructional coaches to build their capacity to students who require intervention in mathematics. Training module topics include: (1) Basic Facts and Computations. Building Fluency and Conceptual Understanding; (2) Connecting Intervention and Core Instruction. Instructional Strategies to Bridge Skills that Lead to Success; (3) Mathematics Word Problem Solving in late Elementary and Middle School. Evidence-based Strategies and Approaches for Teaching Problem Solving; and (4) Using Academic Progress Monitoring for Individualized Instructional Planning and Goal Setting in Mathematics.Free, self-paced, Downloadable materials
The instructional videos, lessons, activities and examples in this training series are organized around six mathematics skill areas that are aligned to college– and career-ready standards. They incorporate several instructional principles that may help intensify and individualize mathematics instruction to assist teachers working with students who have difficulty with mathematics, including students receiving special education services. Math skills include: (1) Number Sense Counting; (2) Basic Facts; (3) Place Value Concepts; (4) Place Value Computation; (5) Fractions as Numbers; and (6) Computation of Fractions.Free, self-paced, Downloadable materials
Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
This recorded webinar discusses how Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) work together for student success. Viewers will understand that SDI is more than accommodations, identify the commonalities of SDI and UDL, and explain the importance of the planning process incorporating UDL and SDI.Free, 30 minutes, Ohio