Inclusion by Design: Anticipating Learner Variability

Description

Participants engage throughout via structured pair and small-group tasks: mapping learner variability, a hands-on “Barrier Hunt” redesign of a real classroom task, applying adaptive teaching and UDL strategies to a shared example, a personal “Plus One” design commitment, reflection on emotional regulation and behavior, and a final team challenge redesigning an inaccessible scenario across four dimensions, presented back to the group. Discussion, redesign, and application replace passive listening throughout.

Learning Outcomes

Recognize learner variability as an expected feature of every classroom and identify barriers within the learning environment rather than locating difficulty solely within the learner.
Identify practical ways to reduce barriers to learning and participation through adaptive teaching, scaffolding and Universal Design for Learning principles.
Redesign one element of a classroom activity or learning experience to improve access, participation and engagement while maintaining high expectations for all learners.