INSIGHTS & IDEAS

The Education Table Blog

Practical strategies, research, and perspectives from the Novak Education team to help educators strengthen instruction, leadership, and inclusive systems.

UDL - Debunking the myths
Universal Design for Learning

6 Misconceptions of UDL

You may know of UDL as a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. But one thing I have ...
Katie Novak · October 17, 2024
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students in an inclusive classroom
Universal Design for Learning

Inclusion vs. Inclusive Practice in Teaching

“Inclusion” and “inclusive practice” are often used interchangeably in education, but true inclusive practice goes beyond simply bringing people together. Inclusion takes an ...
Katie Novak · October 8, 2024
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urban classroom utilizing udl
Universal Design for Learning

UDL: A Dynamic Benefit for Urban Education

As someone who has dedicated the lion's share of my career to being a school teacher and leader in urban education, I can confidently say there is no other framework more aligned ...
Mirko Chardin · October 7, 2024
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cookies analogy - equality, equity, expert learning
Universal Design for Learning

Learner Agency, Equality, Equity & Making Cookies

One of my best friends, Kate, regularly blesses us with drool-worthy confections worthy of winning fine arts awards. She is the ultimate expert baker. Every cupcake, cookie, and ...
Katie Novak · September 30, 2024
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student with a goal
Universal Design for Learning

Helping Students Set Goals in 5 Easy Steps

It’s the beginning of the year and I am sure we all have goal setting on our minds as educators. We set personal goals for our own teaching and learning and often encourage ...
Pam Tupy · September 4, 2024
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student learner agency
Universal Design for Learning

How to Cultivate Learner Agency

When I was little, I knew I wanted to be a teacher, so naturally, I would play school with my dolls. I would line each of them up in front of a small chalkboard, and then - ...
Katie Novak · August 29, 2024
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What are the UDL Guidelines?
Universal Design for Learning

What are the UDL Guidelines?

When I was a kid, my parents had a set of 3-legged stools around our kitchen island. It was where I did my homework, we played countless Uno games, and I subjected my family to my ...
Katie Novak · August 26, 2024
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Pictures of colored pencils in different colors
Universal Design for Learning

Why UDL?

I often am asked the question, “Why UDL?” and my answer is simple. We are preparing students for their future. We are not preparing them for our past. The way that we have been ...
Katie Novak · August 15, 2024
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Teacher observations
Universal Design for Learning

UDL Calibration Protocol

Evaluate and Measure Teacher Consistency When I tell my kids to clean their rooms, I envision an end product worthy of a Pinterest post. Just imagine it—everything in its place, ...
Katie Novak · August 13, 2024
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what you need to know about the udl guidelines 3.0 update
Universal Design for Learning

What to Know About the UDL Guidelines 3.0 Update

On July 30, 2024, CAST released the newest version of the UDL Guidelines. At first glance, Guidelines 3.0 truly impressed me. While many of the changes may seem minor, in the ...
Mirko Chardin · August 5, 2024
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