- How will your interactive learning resource specifically ensure that the needs of all learners can be met?
- Consider the learning environment for your current design. What potential barriers can be reduced or eliminated to provide more pathways for learner success?
We are all unique and have various needs and ways of comprehending new ideas. Therefore, creating an environment that is inclusive of everyone and takes on learners’ needs as opportunities rather than “challenges” is important to build an engaging and welcoming community. Implementing measures to promote inclusion allows learners to feel valued, safe and that their voice matters in the classroom. In turn, this may lead to higher learner engagement and a stronger comprehension of the learning material.
Here is a short video from a student with Down’s Syndrome in Australia describing the need for more inclusive measures in the classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VMz06iVzqs
For my team’s project – we have selected the topic of “Wellness and Mental Health in Children,” where we explore areas surrounding this topic, such as Healthy Eating, Exercise, and Breathing Strategies at a level where young children can understand and build a strong foundation for their life.
Given the video above and topic we selected, my team can implement strategies to promote inclusion and support a diverse range of learners, which include:
– Providing online, hybrid, and in-person options for students. Due to the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, some families may not feel comfortable sending their young ones to the classroom. To ensure learners can learn anywhere, our team can build an in-person, hybrid, and online version of each module to support diverse learner needs.
– Making modifications to the content to meet student needs. As mentioned earlier, various people have various needs. As such, it is important to consider these needs before proceeding with any big decisions. Some students with disabilities and non-native English speakers may find our content tricky to understand. To support their needs, our team could consider making modifications to the content, such as hiring teachers who can teach in different languages and adjusting the content to be inclusive of students with disabilities (e.g., finding ways for students with physical disabilities to participate in the Physical Well-Being section without being left out).
– Creating a database or form to get student, parent, and instructor feedback on our Interactive Learning Resource. Given that they are using our resources, we would find it invaluable to gather their feedback and make improvements for future course iterations.
Hi Fawzan! Thank you for sharing your ideas on incorporating accessibility and inclusivity principles into your learning resource. I’m curious about the strategies you plan to use to ensure a smooth student experience in different modalities – online, hybrid, and in-person. Will all students take the same class simultaneously but in different modalities? Or will you split them up into different classes based on their chosen modality?
Furthermore, I’m interested in knowing what specific strategies you propose for students with physical disabilities to participate in the Physical Well-Being module. It’s important to ensure that all students can engage in the course material and activities, regardless of their physical abilities. I appreciate your insights on these topics and look forward to hearing more about your plans for creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment.