Bridging Gaps in CTE with Donald Walker #udlcon

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.

Enjoy this special episode.

Jethro Jones speaks with Donald Walker, National Career Technical Education Trainer at CAST. They discuss the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Career Technical Education (CTE), the use of drones to introduce young girls to STEM, addressing barriers in education, and the empowering aspects of UDL. The conversation also addresses the importance of safety in CTE programs and how UDL helps in engaging diverse student populations.

Get in touch with Donald: [email protected]

00:00 Introduction to Donald Walker and the Role at CAST

01:29 Importance of UDL in CTE

03:08 Using Drones to Introduce Girls to STEM

04:07 Developing UDL-based Curriculum

06:32 Engagement, Representation, and Expression in UDL

11:19 Importance of Safety in CTE

13:54 Liberation Through UDL

17:20 Contact and Further Involvement

Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. 

These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation.

We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.