How to Design for Learner Variability

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Welcome to How to Design for Learner Variability! The purpose of this course is to deepen participants' understanding of learner variability, how to use the Learner Variability Navigator to design for the whole child, and how to integrate their learnings into their practice.

When we understand learner variability, we see a design challenge, not a student problem. Throughout the course, each module will focus on a different guiding principle for designing for learner variability. Research has shown that even brief professional development for educators on the science of learning and memory, and how it connects to classroom practices, can have vast benefits for teachers’ confidence and understanding of instructional approaches, including showing an increase in student-centered approaches and improvements to lesson plans.

Each module consists of synchronous and asynchronous sessions with opportunities to apply your learning to your practice. Participants will receive 20 hours of course credit. Participants must:

  • Attend five Zoom meetings from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT on the following dates:
    • Sept. 17
    • Sept. 24
    • Oct. 1
    • Oct. 15
    • Oct. 22
  • Complete each module before the next module begins to remain in the course.

This is an excellent course for K-12 educators in the classroom, coaches, MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support) coordinators, professional development providers, and aspiring leaders. 

To request access to this course, login to your AFT eLearning account and return to this page to register. If you are an AFT member unfamiliar with AFT eLearning, your first step is to create a free account.*

*After logging in or creating an account, return here to register for this course by September 6th. Approval to this course will be granted after September 6th. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Lisa Thomas (lthomas@aft.org).

Technical Requirements

  • Only use a desktop or laptop. Please only use a desktop or laptop computer to complete this course. You will not get full credit if you use a tablet or a mobile device.
  • Please use Google Chrome and not Internet Explorer. This site does not support Internet Explorer and is most compatible with Google Chrome.  
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