Differentiation Design Sprint

A focused, fast-paced virtual workshop where teams take an existing lesson and redesign it for multiple learner profiles — including students with IEPs, English learners, advanced learners, and those who struggle with access. Uses Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles as an anchor.

1h 30mteachersvirtual
DifferentiationUDLDesign SprintInclusionEquityVirtual

Standards Alignment

Learning DesignsEquity Practices

Agenda · 1h 30m

1
welcome10m

Welcome & Learner Profile Framing

Introduce the design sprint purpose: we're not building 5 different lessons — we're building one flexible lesson. Briefly introduce UDL's three principles: Multiple Means of Representation, Action & Expression, and Engagement. Share the learner profiles the team will design for today.

2
activity15m

Lesson Audit — What Do We Have?

Teams review the target lesson on a shared doc. For each major task or activity, ask: Who might struggle to access this and why? Annotate directly on the lesson. Focus on barriers — not student deficits — but barriers in the design itself. This reframe is critical.

3
activity20m

Learner Profile Breakouts

Assign each breakout group one learner profile (e.g., students with dyslexia, English learners at intermediate level, twice-exceptional students). Each group identifies: 2 specific barriers in the lesson for this learner, and 2 concrete design modifications. Use a shared template.

4
discussion20m

Design Share-Out & Integration

Each group presents their modifications briefly (2–3 min). After all groups share, the whole team looks for: modifications that benefit ALL learners (these are keepers regardless). Facilitator highlights the UDL principle at work in each modification.

5
activity15m

Revised Lesson Design

Teams select the highest-priority modifications and integrate them into a revised lesson outline on the shared doc. Aim for 3–5 concrete changes, not a full rewrite. Ask: If we only had time to do three things differently, what would have the most impact?

6
reflection10m

Reflection & Commitment

Each participant completes: 'One thing I'm committing to try in my next lesson is ___.' Share in chat. Facilitator notes: this sprint process can be done independently in 20 minutes once the team is familiar with UDL principles — encourage continued practice.