The Goodwin University Institute for Learning Innovation
Dissemination
We strive to share what we learn through our UDL work with local, regional, and national audiences.

Peer-Reviewed Conference Presentations
National and International Conferences
Bennar, A.& LaRocco, D. J. (2021, February 4-5). Presto-change-o: Taking UDL professional learning online [Conference Presentation]. Digicon 2021 Conference. https://udl-irn.org/udlhe-digicon
Dent, M. (2019, August). Using learning goals to inform assessment design. Presentation at the Fifth Annual CAST UDL Symposium, Cambridge, MA.
Dowd, P., & Goodkowsky, K. (2018, November). Implementing Universal Design for Learning into a selective admission program: A Histologic science case study. Presentation at the Inaugural Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Higher Education Conference, Goodwin University, East Hartford, CT.
Laist, R. (2022, March 30 – April1). Universal design for writing: Celebrating variability and promoting self-expression in the composition classroom [Conference Presentation]. 2022 UDL-IRN International Summit. https://summit.udl-irn.org
Laist, R. (2022, February 9 – 11) Visualizing universal design for learning in the higher education classroom [Conference Presentation]. 14th Annual Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.
Laist, R. (2018, November). A curriculum of things: Notes toward an object-oriented pedagogy. Presentation at the Inaugural Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Higher Education Conference, Goodwin University, East Hartford, CT.
Laist, R. (2018, April). Re-thinking critical thinking for the Internet age. The 2018 Conference on the Teaching of Writing, Hartford, CT.
LaRocco, D. J., Moore, E., Nave, L., & Pusateri, J.(2021, March 11 –12). Leveraging design thinking and UDL: Mindset, Processes, and tools. SRFIDC 2021, Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium. https://www.srfidc.org
LaRocco, D. J. (2019, October). Families as expert learners: Integrating universal design for learning into family-centered practices. Peer-reviewed presentation at the 35th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families, Division for Early Childhood, a Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Dallas, TX.
LeGary, R. (2022, March 29). Applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and cognitive load principles to an intentionally designed online M.Ed. Program [Conference presentation]. Innovative Teaching and Learning 2022 Conference, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States.
LeGary, R. (2022, March 9 – 11). Intentional design of an M.Ed. Program: Applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles for building effective student-faculty relationships [Conference presentation]. SRFIDC 2022 Conference, Auburn University, AL, United States.
Sheehan, D., & Morin, K. (2019, November). Transforming practice into a game: A plus 1 for fun! Presentation at the Second Annual Universal Design for Learning Conference, Goodwin University, East Hartford, CT.
Wilken, D. S. (2019, August). Creating student rock stars through the power of UDL Jedis. The Fifth Annual CAST UDL Symposium, Boston, MA.
Young-Cournoyer, R. (2021, February3 – 5). How Universal Design Learning (UDL) permeates the Goodwin Nursing Department. [Conference Presentation]. 13th Annual Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.
Young-Cournoyer, R. L., & Fiore, A. (2019, July). PechaKucha: An effective tool to impart knowledge, engage students and promote retention. Podium presentation at the ACEN Annual Nursing Education Accreditation Conference Atlanta, GA.
Young-Cournoyer, R. L., & Fiore, A. (2018, November). PechaKucha: An effective tool to impart knowledge, engage students and promote retention. Presentation at the Inaugural Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Higher Education Conference, Goodwin University, East Hartford, CT.
Regional Conferences
Connell, M., Page, J., & Coyne-Gilbert, S. (2021, November 5). Relevance: Preparing faculty to pivot when change challenges the landscape of education. NEAN 2021 Fall Forum. https://neean.org/resources/Documents/Fall%20Forum%202021,%20Program%20with%20abstracts%20v2.pdf
Dhar, V., Seiwert, C., & Wilken, D. S. (2019, June). Using Universal Design for Learning as a strategy to support diverse STEM students. Workshop presentation at the 2019 Massachusetts Project Kaleidoscope Network Summer Meeting, North Adams, MA.
Laist, R. (2019, March). Write another way: Universal Design for Learning in The University writing class. Moderated panel at the Northeast Modern Language Association 50th Anniversary Convention, Washington, D.C.
Laist, R., Segovia, N., & LaRocco, D. J. (2018, October). Evaluating the relationship between confidence and engagement in the writing classroom. Poster presentation at the 49th Annual Northeast Educational Research Association Conference, Trumbull, CT.
Laist, R. (2018, November). A curriculum of things: Notes toward an object-oriented pedagogy. Presentation at the Inaugural Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Higher Education Conference, Goodwin University, East Hartford, CT.
Laist, R. (2018, April). Re-thinking critical thinking for the Internet age. The 2018 Conference on the Teaching of Writing, Hartford, CT.
LaRocco, D. J., Dowd, P., Goods, K., Kania, J., Myers, K., & Sheehan, D. (2018, May). Transformational professional development in Universal Design for Learning: Reflections on faculty practice. Paper symposium accepted for presentation at the 50th Annual Meeting of the New England Educational Research Organization, Portsmouth, NH.
LaRocco, D. J., Anderson, D., & Archambault, M. (2013, October). Universal design for learning in postsecondary settings: One faculty member's journey toward making learning accessible for all students. Paper presented at the 44th Annual Northeast Educational Research Association Conference, Rocky Hill, CT.
LaRocco, D. J., & Wilken, D. S. (2012, October). Universal design for learning: University faculty concerns and level of use. Paper presented at the 43rd Annual Northeast Educational Research Association Conference, Rocky Hill, CT.
Wilken, D. S. (2019, May). Creating faculty rock stars through job-embedded UDL professional development. University of Windsor Crucial Conversations in Teaching and Learning, Windsor, Canada.
Invited Presentations
Bennar, A. (2021, July 28). Universal Design for Learning: Getting started [Presentation]. Hawkes Learning and Growing – A Webinar Series. https://learning-and-growing-2021.heysummit.com
Behling, K., LaRocco, D. J., & Patey, L. J. (2021, September 30). Leveraging design thinking and Universal Design for Learning to remove barriers to learning. Trinity College, Hartford, CT, United States.
LaRocco, D. J. (2022, January 14). Don’t settle for stickiness! Leveraging design thinking and Universal Design for Learning [Presentation]. University of New Haven, New Haven, CT, United States.
LaRocco, D. J. (2021, February 19). Designing for Learning: Powerful possibilities for ALL students [Presentation]. CT LEND - UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Farmington, CT, United States.
LaRocco, D. J. (2021, February 12). Designing for Learning: Powerful possibilities for supporting student success [Presentation]. NEERO Circle, New England Educational Research Organization (NEERO). https://www.neero.org/events
LaRocco, D. J. (2020, April 3). Universal Design for Learning [Presentation]. CT LEND - UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Farmington, CT, United States.
LaRocco, D. J. (2019, April). Transformation by design: Powerful possibilities for supporting success. Day-long workshop at DEC Day – 2019 NevAEYC Conference, LasVegas, NV.
LaRocco, D. J. (2019, February). Universal Design for Learning. Presentation to CT LEND - UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Farmington, CT.
LaRocco, D. J., (2016, April). Universal design for learning in higher education: Working together to ensure high levels of faculty competency. Presentation at Higher Education & Students with Autism: What We Know, What We Need to Know & How We Get There Together, University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT.
Wilken, D. S. (2019, November). Initiatives to support diverse student learners. Breakfast discussion at the 2019 Institute for Chief Academic Officers with Chief Advancement and Public Relations Officers, Baltimore, MD.
Young-Cournoyer, R. L. (2019, April). PechaKucha: An effective tool to impart knowledge, engage students and promote retention. Poster presentation at the Goodwin University Board of Trustees Meeting, Saybrook, CT.
Young-Cournoyer, R. L. (2019, May). PechaKucha: An effective tool to impart knowledge, engage students and promote retention. Poster presentation at Goodwin University Community Day, East Hartford, CT.
Young-Cournoyer, R. L. (2019, February). PechaKucha: An effective tool to impart knowledge, engage students and promote retention. Podium presentation for the Goodwin University Faculty, East Hartford, CT.
Young-Cournoyer, R. L. (2018, August). PechaKucha: An effective tool to impart knowledge, engage students and promote retention. Podium presentation for the Goodwin University Nursing Department, East Hartford, CT.
Books and Books Chapters
Laist, R., Sheehan, D., & Brewer, N. (Eds.). (in press). UDL University: Designing for variability across the higher education curriculum. CAST Publishing.
Dent, M. (in press). It's the passion, it's the motivation, it's the goal. In R. Laist, D. Sheehan, & N. Brewer (Eds), UDL University: Designing for variability across the higher education curriculum. CAST Publishing.
LaRocco, D. J., & Fanelli, L. L. (2021). Universal Design for Learning for clinical educators: Design thinking in clinical settings. In F. Fovet (Ed.), Handbook of research on applying Universal Design for Learning across disciplines: Concepts, case studies, and practical implementation. (pp. 389-411). IGI Global.
Blogs
Adams, K. (2019, July 31). Universal Design for Learning and welding. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/universal-design-for-learning-and-welding/
Beauchemin, A. (2021, June 11). Altering the curriculum to advance student comprehension. Goodwin University ENEWS https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-altering-curriculum-to-advance-comprehension/
Beauchemin, A. (2021, March 12). Making small changes: Practical faculty advice in UDL at Goodwin University. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-practical-faculty-advice/
Bennar, A. (2021, April 7). Using technology to teach and course adjustment to capture student attention. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-using-technology-course-adjustments/
Carter, K. (2019, August 8). Goodwin thought leaders: Keith Carter welding. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/thought-leaders-keith-carter-welding/
Connell, M. (2021, April 14). Reimagining a business course through a cycle of design thinking. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-reimagining-business-course-through-cycle-of-design-thinking/
Coyne-Gilbert, S. (2021, January 15). Universal Design for Learning (UDL) goes grad school: How creative expression and communication engage and connect classrooms. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-goes-to-graduate-school/
Dixon, B. A. (2021, May 7). Subjective vs. objective: Navigating the transition with Universal Design for Learning. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-subjective-vs-objective/
Dowd, P. (2019, January 17). Hey, 60 Minutes…It’s our turn! Universal Design gets primetime focus. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-universal-design-gets-primetime-focus/
Goodwin University. (2016, April 5). Diana J. LaRocco speaks on Universal Design for Learning. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/udl-conference-on-autism/
Goodwin University. (2017, May 5). Davis educational foundation grant brings Universal Design for Learning workshop to Goodwin College. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/universal-design-for-learning-workshop/
Goodwin University. (2017, October 13). Universal Design for Learning blog series: Part 1. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/universal-design-for-learning-for-writing/
Goodwin University. (2017, October 18). Universal Design for Learning blog series: Part 2. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/universal-design-for-learning-principles/
Goodwin University. (2017, October 19). Universal Design for Learning blog series: Part 3. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/udl-multiple-means-of-representation/
Goodwin University. (2017, October 27). Universal Design for Learning blog series: Part 4. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/universal-design-for-learning-mathematics/
Goodwin University. (2018, April 13). Growing as an instructor in a UDL classroom. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-growing-in-udl-classroom/
Goodwin University. (2018, April 17). Thinking differently to gauge student comprehension. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-thinking-differently-to-gauge-student-comprehension/
Goodwin University. (2018, May 9). Universal Design for Learning series: Boring classes? Not here! Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/universal-design-learning-series-boring-classes-not-here/
Goodwin University. (2018, September 11). Goodwin hosts inaugural UDL conference. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/inaugural-udl-conference-2018/
Goodwin University. (2020, February 10). Fall in Love with Universal Design for Learning. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-universal-design-for-learning/
Goodwin University. (2020, October 23). Open educational resources (OER) empower students, inspire professors. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/open-educational-resources/
Gyamfi, R. O. (2021, August 26). UD solutions: Making the complex simple. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-solutions-making-the-complex-simple/
Laist, R. (2021, June 17). Universal design for writing. The Education Table. https://www.novakeducation.com/blog/universal-design-for-writing
Laist, R. (2021, May 27). Applying UDL to writing instruction. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-applying-udl-to-writing-instruction/
Lane, E. (2021, August 23). The pieces of a puzzle come together. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-pieces-of-puzzle-come-together/
LeGary R. A. (2021, July 27). Misrepresentation and misalignment: Developing a structured interview guide with +1 UDL representation solutions. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-developing-structured-interview-guides-with-udl-representation-solutions/
Litke, M. (2021, June 18). Decoding the central limit theorem: Using multiple representations to enhance student success in statistics. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-decoding-central-limit-theorem-using-multiple-representations/
Rotondo, M. (2020, May 11). Universal Design for Learning eases tech challenges for accounting students. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-universal-design-for-learning-eases-tech-challenges-for-accounting-students/
Simon, T. (2018, July 19). Experiential learning enhances business program and encourages student reflection. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-experiential-learning-enhances-business-program/
Simon, T. (2021, January 13). Four strategies to overcome the challenges of facilitating formerly incarcerated learners. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-strategies-to-overcome-challenges-of-formerly-incarcerated-learners/
Walsh, L. M. (2021, May 7). UDL representation takes center field in advanced manufacturing pandemic sprint. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-udl-in-advanced-manufacturing-pandemic-sprint/
Wisniewski, L.M. & Kania, J.S. (2020, January 15). The journey of UDL a world of possibilities opens up to two educational “missionaries.” Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-the-journey-of-udl/
Young-Cournoyer, R. (2020, February 13). The challenge of engagement: One size does not fit all. Goodwin University ENEWS. https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/faculty-article-challenge-of-engagement-udl/
Peer-Reviewed Publications
LaRocco, D. J., & Wilken, D. S. (2013). Universal design for learning: University faculty stages of concerns and levels of use; A faculty action-research project. Current Issues in Education, 16(1).
Conference Proceedings
LaRocco, D. J., Anderson, D., & Archambault, M. (2013, October). Universal design for learning in postsecondary settings: One faculty member’s journey toward making learning accessible for all students. Paper presented at the 44th Annual Northeast Educational Research Association Conference, Rocky Hill, CT. NERA Conference Proceedings 2013.
Podcasts
Nave, L. (Host). (2020, February 4). Multiple means of UDL with Karrie Morin and Dana Sheehan [Audio podcast episode]. In Think UDL. https://thinkudl.org/episodes/multiple-means-of-udl-with-karrie-morin-dana-sheehan
Nave, L. (Host). (2019, October 22). Training Faculty Jedis with Danielle Wilken [Audio podcast episode]. In Think UDL. https://thinkudl.org/episodes/training-faculty-jedis-with-danielle-wilken
Other Scholarly Work
Goodkowsky, K. (2018, December 28). The rabbit hole: Fear to fearlessness in the classroom [Blog Post].
Koch, S. J. (2019, April). Applying UDL in a lesson on the topic of social media.
Laist, R. (2019). Student writers become YouTube gurus. CollegeSTAR.
Laist, R. (2017, December 5). Academic conference panels are boring. Chronicle of Higher Education.
Laist, R. (2019, August 19). Prevent student errors with a self-paced syllabus quiz. The Teaching Professor.
Soto, R. (2018, May 22). Universal design of learning. 20/20.