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.

Universal Design for Learning

What is UDL (Universal Design for Learning)?

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is more than just an educational framework; it's a powerful belief in the potential of every student to achieve high levels of learning. Rooted ...
Katie Novak · April 10, 2024
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students playing games in class
Universal Design for Learning

Game-Based Empowerment for Diverse Learners

Why UDL? Back in third grade, my teachers noticed I took a bit longer to catch on to new stuff. After some tests, I was diagnosed with a learning disability (LD), and suddenly, I ...
Anne Wolff MEd · March 10, 2024
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UDL vs. DI
Differentiated Instruction (DI)

UDL vs DI: The Dinner Party Analogy

When I am presenting on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), an education framework routed in offering options to students to help them take control of their own education, ...
Katie Novak · February 13, 2024
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students in an ELA classroom
Universal Design for Learning

Improve Your ELA Lesson with UDL

In the face of a literacy crisis, educators and schools are looking to create a more equitable learning experience for all students. Recent news in Oregon highlights the ...
Katie Novak · February 13, 2024
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students in a classroom
Universal Design for Learning

Schools That Know How to Learn

A look at Learning Structures That all Students can Benefit From. The Dream Students with disabilities and their corresponding special education-related services have much to ...
Zach Smith · February 12, 2024
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students walking down the hallway
Universal Design for Learning

Student Identity and UDL

Who Am I? In a 2011 interview, Maya Angelou, African American literary icon, stated, “If you don't know where you've come from, you don't know where you're going.” Knowing who we ...
Pamela Chu-Sheriff · January 22, 2024
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high school math students
Universal Design for Learning

Increasing Engagement in Math Classrooms

Whenever I meet someone new, and they ask me what I do for work, and I reluctantly (because I know what's about to come) tell them that I'm a math teacher, I am undoubtedly met ...
Blake Mahovic · January 16, 2024
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