Programme 285, Universal Design for Learning (22-3-17)

Presented and produced by Seán Delaney. This week I speak to education consultant and Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Massachusetts, Dr. Katie Novak, on the topic of Universal Design for Learning. She was in Ireland to give the keynote presentation at the 2017 Conference of AHEAD, the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability in Dublin. Among the topics we discuss are:   What is universal design for learning? How might universal design for learning be applied in teaching English? What is the difference between differentiated instruction and universal design for learning? Why students need to fail in the short-term to find long term success. What skills taught in school do we need to hold onto and what can be safely let go?   Katie refers to the book, The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey.