UDL as Diffusion of Innovation

TL;DR

A passionate educator shares her personal experiences and advocacy for inclusive education, highlighting the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Transcript

all right I still see a lot of empty chairs so I just expect people to be running in any second so I am here today to tell you that UDL for me has become really personal and these are my four kids but I'm not here to talk about my four kids today I'm here to talk about my daughter Ellen who's seven and Ellen is probably the coolest person I have ev... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎓 Inclusive education is a personal and passionate cause driven by the experiences of individuals with disabilities and their advocates.
• 🪡 The diffusion of innovation, as applied to inclusive education, highlights the challenges in widespread adoption and the need for dedicated mavens, connectors, and salespeople.
• 🏛️ Building a network and sharing knowledge are crucial in promoting inclusive practices.
• 🧑‍🚒 Inclusive education requires a collective effort, with individuals taking on different roles to fight for change.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired the speaker to become an advocate for inclusive education?

The speaker's personal experiences with her daughter and her daughter's friend motivated her to fight for inclusive education. Witnessing their friendship and the barriers they face in the education system drove her to advocate for change.

Q: What is the diffusion of innovation, and how does it relate to inclusive education?

The diffusion of innovation is the process by which new ideas or technologies spread and gain acceptance. In the context of inclusive education, it explains why the adoption of this approach has been slow. The speaker highlights the need for mavens, connectors, and salespeople to bridge the gap and promote inclusive practices.

Q: How can individuals contribute to the fight for inclusive education?

Individuals can contribute by becoming mavens, sharing knowledge about Universal Design for Learning and its benefits. They can also be connectors, building relationships and connecting with others to expand the reach of inclusive education. Lastly, they can be salespeople, advocating and fighting for the implementation of inclusive practices in schools and classrooms.

Q: What is the significance of the lemon juice analogy?

The lemon juice analogy illustrates how long it can take for an innovative solution to be accepted and widespread. Just as it took a significant amount of time for lemon juice to be recognized as an effective treatment for scurvy, inclusive education is facing a similar journey towards widespread adoption.

Key Insights:

• Inclusive education is a personal and passionate cause driven by the experiences of individuals with disabilities and their advocates.
• The diffusion of innovation, as applied to inclusive education, highlights the challenges in widespread adoption and the need for dedicated mavens, connectors, and salespeople.
• Building a network and sharing knowledge are crucial in promoting inclusive practices.
• Inclusive education requires a collective effort, with individuals taking on different roles to fight for change.
• The lemon juice analogy serves as a reminder of the slow progress and challenges associated with adopting innovative practices in education.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker shares personal stories about her daughter who has ADHD and her best friend who has Fragile X syndrome and severe autism, emphasizing their strong bond and the value of inclusive education.

• She discusses the concept of the diffusion of innovation and how difficult it is for new ideas, like inclusive education, to gain widespread acceptance.

• Three types of individuals necessary for change are identified: mavens (knowledge sharers), connectors (relationship builders), and salespeople (advocates and fighters).