166. Embracing Universal Design for Learning with Ginny Simmons

Education Evolution

English - June 13, 2023 08:00 - 50 minutes - 69.6 MB
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Previous Episode: 165. Empowering Education with New Opportunities with Jon England

Next Episode: 167. Building an Education at Home with Mandy Davis

We know that every child deserves a quality education, but did you know where the roots started to form for universal design for learning (UDL)? This week on the podcast, I’m talking to a powerhouse in education about the power of teaching different students in different ways. Something just makes sense when you consider how very different we all are.

In this episode, Dr. Virginia (Ginny) Simmons, an advocate for UDL, shares her journey of transforming education to create inclusive classrooms that cater to the unique needs of every student. Reflecting on the limitations of traditional special education, Ginny emphasizes the importance of recognizing different "brain prints" and implementing innovative teaching methods.

UDL shifts the focus from textbooks to empowering teachers as they tailor goals and objectives to meet the individual needs of their students. By embracing multiple intelligences, incorporating personal interests, and integrating technology, educators can create engaging and inclusive learning environments that foster higher-order thinking skills. Ginny's insights inspire educators to harness the power of UDL, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential in the classroom.

About Dr. Virginia Simmons:

Dr. Virginia Simmons makes over achievers look like lightweights. Not only is she serving learners and supporting educators fully well past when many may have retired, but she has more degrees than a room full of educators. Ginny has undergrad degrees in elementary ed, English, social studies, four master's degrees in mental disabilities, behavior disorders, learning disabilities, gifted and talented, and then a doctorate in special education and admin.

Jump in the Conversation:

[2:24] - Her accomplishments started when a principal told her to go to college

[5:07] - Think in an open way; don’t close the door

[5:48] - Where Ginny started in special education

[8:50] - Educators looked at reasons for universal design and applied it to learning

[11:50] - We were creating isolated worlds

[14:12] - Research started to show the way to teaching special education

[15:38] - Universal Design for Learning is caring for every student in the classroom

[16:46] - The textbook is just a book; the teacher is who implements the goals and objectives

[18:30] - How many intelligences can you include in one lesson

[19:19] - Higher-order thinking skills and technology

[24:21] - Teaching prosody