Universal Curriculum Design – On-Demand Training

Create a Clear Framework That Improves Learning For All Students

Higher education institutions are facing a significant disconnect between outdated norms about how people learn – relying on standardized curriculum models - and fail to account for the full spectrum of the needs of the emerging student body. Gen Z (Zoomers), born between 1997 and 2012, represents the first "neuro-majority" generation, with over 50% identifying as neurodivergent. However, most college professors continue to rely on conventional, standardized teaching models, which are misaligned with the varied cognitive processing styles and learning preferences of this student population. This “one-size-fits-all” approach leads to frustration and stress for both students and faculty and leaves many students unintentionally excluded – not by policy but by design.

Join our expert presenter, an accomplished educator and thought leader in disability and neurodiversity inclusion, as she translates Universal Curriculum Design (UCD) to help you, and your faculty move beyond traditional teaching models and reframes it as a strategic, mainstream teaching approach.  She will explore real-world classroom applications to propose a proactive, systemic shift in how learning environments and curriculum are designed. 

Create more effective learning environments for ALL student learners – delivering information in varied formats, allowing for flexibility, and providing action-oriented feedback.  Shift to UCD to increase your student engagement, achieve higher academic success based on individuals’ cognitive strengths, enhance their skill readiness, and graduation rates. Create classrooms and learning systems rooted in dignity and autonomy.

Topics Covered

You will gain crucial, actionable takeaways that will help you:

• Adopt teaching concepts using visual aids, audio explanations, interactive elements and kinesthetic activities so all learning styles are addressed and thrive.
• Translate existing syllabi into plain-text, multi-modal formats ensuring clarity and accessibility.
• Assist faculty in weaving Universal Curriculum Design into the core structure of their courses, from syllabus design to learning objectives.
• Shift to a model that creates flexible assessment options that measure true learning, not just test-taking or memorization to reduce student anxiety and better meet diverse learning needs to foster a sense of belonging and improved focus.
• Create more effective learning environments for ALL student learners by adopting a universal design – delivering information in varied formats, allowing for flexibility, and based on their cognitive strengths.
  

Presenter

Tara Cunningham currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Ocean County College and the CEO of Beyond-Impact. She is an accomplished educator and thought leader in disability and neurodiversity inclusion.
Click here for full bio.