Dyslexia Asynchronous Workshop Options 2025-2026

For the 25-26 academic year, all Dyslexia track workshops are offered via UI Learn. Students will need to create an account through UI Learn in order to access the modules. The modules are free to students at the University of Iowa. 

PLEASE NOTE: Students will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the course modules. If you are a TEP student using this module for BTLC Certificate credit, make certain to save this certificate in a folder on your computer and then upload it to your ICON Tracker along with the certificate you receive after completing a workshop log.

Contact Information: 
Iowa Reading Research Center
319-384-2268
irrc@uiowa.edu

Course: Dyslexia Overview Module
BTLC Credit: IS, D
Description: This module is designed to provide an overview of this reading disability, no matter the participant’s prior knowledge of dyslexia. 

Course: Effective Literacy Instruction Module
BTLC Credit: IS, D
Description: This module covers practices identified in research that support the learning of all students. Participants will learn about the components of systematic and explicit instruction (e.g., using clear and concise language and sequencing skills) and how implementing the components can maximize the benefit of literacy instruction. A review of the reading and writing skills that are developed across grade levels is included. 

Course: Effective Vocabulary Instruction After Reading: Frayer Model Module
BTLC Credit: IS, D
Description: Using a specialized graphic organizer to explore vocabulary words more deeply after reading helps students develop their understanding of important words and concepts used in school texts. In this module, participants learn about effective vocabulary instruction, the kinds of vocabulary words to select from a text, the main components of the research-based Frayer Model, and the steps to implementing vocabulary instruction using the Frayer Model.

There are two versions of this module designed for teachers of different grade levels:

• Effective Vocabulary Instruction After Reading: Frayer Model (Grades 1–5)
• Effective Vocabulary Instruction After Reading: Frayer Model (Grades 6–12)

Course: Interactive Reading Module
BTLC Credit: IS, D (you will earn 2 credits towards your Teacher Leader Certificate)
Description: The practice of Interactive Reading cultivates younger students’ literacy learning through a teacher read-aloud. In this module, participants will learn about oral language, including the importance of teaching and providing students opportunities to express their ideas through speaking. This module also covers the systematic progression of narrative development skills, how to apply the PEER (prompt, evaluate, expand, and repeat) sequence of questioning during an interactive reading session, and how to use a graphic organizer and Clue Cards to guide and scaffold an interactive reading session.

Course: Small-Group, Skills-Based Instruction Module
BTLC Credit: IS, D (you will earn 2 credits towards your Teacher Leader Certificate)
Description: This module will explain how to implement small-group, skills-based instruction in the recommended 90-minute literacy block. Participants will learn how to use the literacy block to explicitly teach using differentiation to target the skills that each student needs to improve, variation of instructional format, and a systematic approach to developing foundational literacy skills. The module also covers rules and procedures for students to follow to ensure efficient use of instructional time.

Course: Teacher Tools for Universally Implementing Structured Literacy Content Module
BTLC Credit: IS, D (you will earn 2 credits towards your Teacher Leader Certificate)
Description: This module provides K–12 teachers with examples of structured literacy instruction in general education classrooms as well as in Tier 2 small groups and Tier 3 intensive interventions. The module encourages consistent, cumulative literacy instruction by providing information in two areas. First, educators receive an overview of the essential elements of structured literacy instruction, including synthetic and analytic thinking skills, scope and sequence, and teaching vocabulary through the elements of the POSSUM acronym. Second, the module provides video examples of Spencer Community School District teachers implementing structured literacy routines in active classrooms.

Course: Teaching Students to Map Phonemes to Graphemes Module
BTLC Credit: IS, D
Description: Before students can sound out words and become proficient readers, they must know how to pronounce letters (graphemes) and letter combinations that make up the sounds (phonemes) in words. In this module, participants will learn about grapheme-phoneme mapping and its importance for literacy development, a strategy for teaching grapheme-phoneme mapping, how to support English learners developing these skills, and how to prepare students for peer-mediated and independent practice.

Course: Understanding and Observing the Literacy Skills Associated With Dyslexia Module
BTLC Credit: IS, D (you will earn 2 credits towards your Teacher Leader Certificate)
Description: When students struggle with the particular pre-reading and early reading literacy skills described and demonstrated in this module, it may be an indicator of dyslexia. The module explains the reading and writing skills associated with typical development, suggests ways to evaluate whether students can successfully use the skills, and provides indicators of when a student may need to be referred for further diagnostic assessments. This module is intended for professional educators, especially those whose teaching involves early reading development as well as those providing reading intervention to older students.

Course: Using Text Structures to Understand and Summarize Text Module
BTLC Credit: IS, D
Description: Recognizing and understanding the different text structures that authors use to organize information in a text can help students better comprehend the text. This module reviews common text structures and the appropriate graphic organizers students can use with each to summarize what they read. The module also explains how to teach students to recognize text structures by using a seven-step instructional approach aligned to explicit instruction.

Course: Literacy LIFTER
BTLC Credit: IS, D
Description: Literacy LIFTER (Letter Identification and Formation for Transcription and Early Reading) is a free tool designed to empower educators and caregivers in supporting students’ handwriting and early reading skills. It provides users with evidence-based materials to teach handwriting and letter knowledge (i.e., letter names and sounds) to pre-kindergarten and elementary-aged students. This includes materials for flexible and efficient instruction, such as video models of letter formation and letter pronunciation as well as downloadable PDFs of student worksheets.

Additional course details and registration link can be found on the Literacy LIFTER webpage.

Introduction to Social Emotional Behavioral Health – Fall 2025

Workshop Details:

• When: August 25-November 14, 2025
• Where:  Asynchronous Workshop (you will be invited to the ICON course once you have registered for the workshop)
• Who: Current and aspiring preK-12 educators and staff
• Cost: Free
• BTLC Credits: IS, SEBMH

Please register here for Introduction to Social Emotional Behavioral Health (Fall 2025)
BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH
This is an asynchronous module. After registering, you will be invited to the module's ICON course. Please allow up to 24 hours for the ICON invite to arrive in your email inbox.

This session is MANDATORY for all teacher candidates who have registered for the TLC-SEBMH track; however, all students are welcome to attend. 

This introductory workshop will provide an overview of what systemic SEBMH looks like in a learning environment, discuss core competencies at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, cover effective approaches for enacting it at the classroom level, and present recent research that substantiates its importance on a range of outcomes, including academic achievement and behavior. In this session, you will learn about the process through which children/adolescents understand and manage emotions, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. 

What You Will Learn:

1. Participants will learn what SEBMH is and its core components.
2. Participants will learn about the impact of SEBMH based on current research findings.
3. Participants will experience examples of SEBMH being practiced in a classroom. 

By registering for this event, you agree to be photographed or filmed for promotional purposes. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email tlc@uiowa.edu and we will work with you to make any accommodations.

Advanced Academics & Talent Development Overview – Fall 2025

Workshop Details:

• When: September 4-November 14, 2025
• Where:  Asynchronous Workshop (You will be invited to the ICON course after you have registered for the workshop. Please allow up to 24 hours for the ICON invite to be sent to your email inbox.)
• Who: Current and aspiring preK-12 educators and staff
• Cost: Free
• BTLC Credits: IS, AATD

Please register here for Advanced Academics & Talent Development Overview (Fall 2025)

 

BTLC Credit: IS, AATD

This is an asynchronous module. After registering, you will be invited to the module's ICON course. Please allow up to 24 hours for the ICON invite to arrive in your email inbox.

This session is MANDATORY for all teacher candidates who have registered for the TLC-AATD track; however, all students are welcome to attend. 

This asynchronous workshop is required and should be completed before attending other AATD-Strand Workshops or completed concurrently with another AATD-Strand Workshop. In this workshop, participants will explore the unique needs of advanced learners. Key terms and concepts will be addressed, as well as evidence-based strategies and programming to support this population. The workshop will conclude with a review of the current Iowa Code to satisfy licensure requirements of an Extended Learner Program/TAG educator. 

What You Will Learn:

• Understand the unique needs of advanced learners.
• Discuss key terms and concepts related to advanced learners.
• Understand identification and programming supported by Iowa Code.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email tlc@uiowa.edu and we will work with you to make any accommodations.