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This design case details the design and development of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Academy, a two-phase training to guide community college faculty in applying the UDL framework to their instruction. This article focuses on the first phase, in which faculty were trained in UDL. The authors of this paper, who were the creators and instructional designers of the UDL Academy, guided faculty as they analyzed their instructional practices through the lens of the UDL framework and designed revisions to their courses. Based on faculty participant responses to the first UDL Academy post-training questionnaire, changes were made to the training when it was offered a second time. Participant responses to a questionnaire after the second UDL Academy indicated these changes improved the training. Suggestions for implementing a similar training at other institutions are provided.

The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework has been shown to support instructors in the design of inclusive instructional learning environments. However, few studies have examined the effects of UDL professional development programmes for community college faculty and staff. The present study examined the effects of a four-day Universal Design for Learning (UDL) training on community college faculty and staff. Three paired samples t tests were run on the pretest and posttest scores of participants. The results indicated that, after the training, faculty and staff had a statistically significantly greater knowledge of UDL and were better able to provide examples of how to apply it to their work on campus. The results provide support for training community college faculty and staff to apply the UDL framework to their instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the factors to consider when watering African violets. The kinds or types of water refers to water that is available for a grower to use on the plants. There is rainwater, tap water, softened war and reverse/osmosis water. Other considerations include water additives and the ideal time and process of watering plants.

The article discusses the highlights of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Columbus African Violet Society (AVS) in Ohio. An overview of the background, achievement and status of the society is presented. The society held a horticultural show to celebrate its anniversary, which had 251 horticulture entries. Columbus AVS member and hybridizer Pat Hancock bred the Buckeye Diamond Celebration African violet cultivar to commemorate the anniversary of the society.

A reprint of the article "Collections," by Nancy Carr, which appeared in the periodical "African Violet Notes," is presented. It cites that a show plant collection consists of registered, African violet standard, semiminiature, miniature, trailer of species plants. Also noted is that collections feature the best plants in the show. The author offers tips on selecting plants for the collection.

The article focuses on plant hormones or phytohormones, which pertain to chemicals produced by plants to regulate plant growth. The five types of plant hormones include abscisic acid, ethylene, gibberellins, auxins and cytokinins. It is noted that auxins and cytokinins are commercially available in synthetic form as plant-growth regulators making them of interest for African violets. The author states that she uses two preparations of auxins in rooting hormone, which are the Greenlight Rooting Hormone and Clonex.

The article presents an obituary for Floy Borron, a member of the African Violet Society of America (AVSA).

This article offers information on inorganic water soluble fertilizers. This form of fertilizer is generally recommended for use with African violets. Fertilizer labels are required by law to aid the consumer in choosing a fertilizer product. Every fertilizer label will have three numbers indicating the relative percentages of three key nutrients which include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A brief description of the nutrients is provided and the book "Growing to Show" by Pauline Bartholomew is referenced.

The article provides information on soilless mix, a mixture of equal parts Canadian milled sphagnum peat, perlite and vermiculite. It explains why gardeners use a soilless mix for African violets. The basic blend of most mix formulas are 1-1-1 of sphagnum peat, coarse perlite and coarse vermiculite. It cites the reason dolomite lime is recommended.

A chart is presented that lists several plant nutrients including carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of washing plant pots, reservoirs and trays.