February UDL Newsletter
Where theory meets practice.
Purpose of this newsletter
This Month's Tools and Resources
Check out these great resources that proactively address barriers to vocabulary:
1. TIPENS chart (Make a copy) TIPENS is an acronym for Terms, Info, Picture, Example, Non-example, and Sentence. Having this chart available or created with students helps them to understand key vocabulary by sharing it in multiple ways. Feel free to add links to the images or info you include as well.
2. TIPs Charts are similar but more streamlined. Like a TIPENS chart, TIP charts help to bring in non-linguistic representation of words you want to use in your classroom. A TIP chart is a continually growing anchor wall chart that includes vocabulary Terms, Information, and Pictures (Learning in the Fast Lane, Pepper-Rollins, 2014). Visit MyEdExpert to learn more about TIP charts and download a free, accessible template.
3. Quizlet offers many ways to engage with key terms or concepts.
4. Knowt is an alternative to Quizlet. Listen to Richard Byrne discuss the features of Knowt in this video.
TIP Chart
TIP Chart
TIP Chart
Clarifying Vocabulary in PRACTICE
The images above show how one at Northview Elementary School in Jackson, Ohio, uses TIP charts to provide alternate representations of the meanings of words. The other two were shared by Suzy Pepper Rollins.
In these examples, you can see how these charts have been created using information and pictures students will use in their classrooms. For math, the picture might be an acronym to remember a process or strategy, a sample problem, or a chart. The relevant information might be a formula or a labeling symbols.
Watch one of our favorite UDL leaders, Matt Bergman, demonstrate this strategy in this video: Creating and Sharing a TIP Vocabulary Chart in Google Sheets.
He adds an S to TIP charts to include websites that might provide another option to access or understand vocabulary. What a wonderful example of multiple means!
How to clarify language in professional learning and the system level
It happens more frequently than you think. And while educators should be able to use the vocabulary of their profession proficiently, there is a real need for explicit language. One way to remove the language barrier during future UDL training is by creating or using either a Glossary of Terms or some form of TIPS, TIPENS, or TIE chart.
The UDL-IRN Implementation SIG's Expert Learner Chart is an example of such a resource aimed at making UDL more accessible worldwide by including icons that will hopefully bridge the language barrier! For example, there isn't a clear translation of "expression" in the German language. The closest translation would be "declaration." Those of you that know the UDL framework know that "Action and Declaration" doesn't quite capture the meaning.
The UDLIRN SIG also created this UDL TIE Chart of Core and Pedagogical Terms for UDL that could be shared at any time UDL is being discussed to remove barriers around key terms and increase understanding.
***BUT WE NEED YOU!
We wanted to crowdsource this UDL Terminology project! Do you see any words we missed on the list? Do you have a better icon or image? Share this with us using this Crowdsourcing Google Form!
So, the next time you are discussing UDL in a meeting, with parents, with students, or with community stakeholders, try sharing a Glossary of Terms or even this UDL TIE Chart to help non-educators and educators alike access the language so they can better understand your message.
Below is a list of resources that might help you create your own charts or help others better understand the need for such work:
Upcoming Conferences to Catch ~and other learning opportunities
Want to learn more about TIPENS charts can support UDL Implementation in the classroom? Check out this recording from OCALICON 2022, where Heidi and I explain predictable options and use TIPENS charts as an example.
Want to learn more from the world's leaders in UDL? You can't miss the UDL IRN Summit!
There are also a variety of asynchronous sessions available, including:
View From Here: How to Implement and Sustain UDL in the Real World, Presenters: Cherie Smith, Laurene Sweet, Mike Nikson, Michelle Duda, Alisa Jones
Wall the Talk for UDL Leadership, Presenters: Ron Rogers and Colleen Kornish
***This Newsletter was created in collaboration with Lisa Arthur, a fellow UDL Consultant from SST16.
Cherie Smith
Cherie Smith began working at State Support Team Region 6 in July 2015. She has a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and the Inclusive Classroom. Most of her experience has been in special education as a supervisor and an Intervention Specialist at the secondary level. She has taught and directed students with disabilities in both Florida and Ohio.
Cherie is currently a co-chair of Universal Design for Learning Implementation and Research Network's Implementation Special Interest Group and is a member of the Ohio UDL Collaborative.
As an SST6 Consultant, she supports districts in the Ohio Implementation Process as a Regional Data Lead. She is the lead for Universal Design for Learning and a part of the Special Education team supporting districts with IDEA Internal Monitoring, Postsecondary Transition, PBIS, and College and Career Readiness.
Email: csmith@sst6.org
Website: https://www.sst6.org/UniversalDesignforLearning.aspx
Location: 1045 Dearbaugh Avenue, Wapakoneta, OH, USA
Phone: 419-739-0170
Facebook: facebook.com/SST6ohio
Twitter: @SST6