Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for Workplace Training and Learning with I4PL

I was recently invited by The Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL) - Vancouver Island Chapter, to facilitate a session on "Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for Workplace Training and Learning."

The goal for the session was to identify how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can be used to help reduce barriers and maximize learning opportunities to support the needs of diverse learner populations. In this session, I explored the use of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and the associated principles, guidelines and checkpoints as applied to workplace training and learning experiences. 

Some of the key items that I presented included:

• My understanding of the UDL Framework including the principles, guidelines and checkpoints
• Examples of how the principles may be applied to workplace learning initiatives
• My understanding of the difference between UDL and other concepts including differentiated instruction, accessibility and inclusive design
• My recommendations on how to implement UDL
• Key resources to learn more about UDL

Resources for further reference included:

• CAST UDL Guidelines http://udlguidelines.cast.org @CAST_UDL
• Katie Novak and Kristan Rodriguez, authors of Universally Designed Leadership: Applying UDL to Systems and Schools (CAST, 2016) @KatieNovakUDL
• Andratesha Fritzgerald author of Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success @FritzTesha
• Katie Novak and Kristan Rodriguez: UDL Progression Rubric http://castpublishing.org/novak-rodriguez-udl-progression-rubric/
• Melissa Toland: UDL Implementation Rubric https://theudlapproach.com/wp-content/uploads/UDL_Implementation_Rubric_-Melissa_Toland.pdf
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by John Spencer https://youtu.be/NL2xPwDrGqQ
• What is UDL? Katie Novak, Educational Consulting https://youtu.be/eYN-qrKIIYI
• When "Choice Gives Voice"- Universal Design for Learning, Taruna Goel https://tarunagoel.blogspot.com/2021/09/when-choice-gives-voice-universal.html
• Integrating Human Rights into Learning Design, Taruna Goel https://tarunagoel.blogspot.com/2021/03/integrating-human-rights-into-learning.html
• * Updated: Nov 12, 2021: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for the Irish Further Education and Training Sector https://www.ahead.ie/udlforfet-guidance

The link to the slide deck from the session is provided below:

(Google Drive link)

UDL for Workplace Learning and Training - Taruna Goel

Celebrating Women Leaders

"Sisterhood" by Taruna Goel, Acrylics on Paper

In my career spanning over 22 years, I have worked with some amazing people. But I have to admit, in many cases, it was the men who were calling the shots at the top and the women were politely (or rudely) shown the glass ceiling. 

But a few weeks ago, I had an epiphany. 

In the last 10 years, I have been mostly working with women leaders. It hasn't been a conscious choice or even something I thought about up until a few weeks ago. On a whim, I started to write down the names of all the leaders/sponsors of my past and current projects; 80% were women. Here's a shout-out to some of these fabulous women: Diane Evans, Laura Bosneaga, Debbie Yule, Mary Kenny, Maggie Hope-Simpson, Kathy McKee, Teresa Francis, Catherine Cross, Suzanne Cirtwill, Judy Dickson, Nikki Barnett, Shannon Trites, Helene Barton, Krista Bax, Eva Schausberger, Alison Brophey, Gayle Palas and there are many others!

These women are passionate, engaged, driven, and ambitious and are taking charge to lead, manage, coach, mentor, and get the job done. One of the things that I find most inspiring about all these women is how their work is truly making a difference!

Melinda Gates said, "A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman." 

I am so fortunate that I am surrounded by strong women and I know I am one of them. 

I made this painting to recognize the strong women in my life including my Mother and my sisters Bharti Birla, Chitra Bhatia nee Batra, Meenali Gulati, and Nidhi Batra!

Critical Role of L&D

Photo by Taruna Goel 

I am facilitating an #instructionaldesign course with University of Victoria this term and 80% of the participants are from the #healthcare sector. Each of them is supporting patient care through their work in learning and development, education and training. They are the ones helping doctors, nurses, technicians and countless other staff do their very best as they battle Covid-19.

I feel so grateful for the opportunity to work with them and contribute to their learning and professional growth and development.

Talking to the participants in Week 1 made me think of how our work as learning professionals can be so gratifying. We enable people to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to excel at their work. As learning professionals, each one of us is central to enhanced organizational performance and to continuous learning and growth of employees irrespective of the sector or industry we are working in.

As learning professionals, we are all tasked with finding new ways to design our response to the #pandemic and help employees find ways to quickly adapt, learn and grow.

Never before has the critical role of L&D been so clear.