Creating an inclusive design for the classroom is very important. It makes sure that everyone is able to learn and makes sure to support the diversity and variability in the classroom.
For my group’s interactive learning design we are creating a course on how to use Chat GPT for research. This course is geared towards students in highschool or above with little or no experience using Chat GPT. To make sure that all the needs of students are met we will use basic language when describing topics to ensure everyone can comprehend the topics. We will also include visual aids such as diagrams and visual explanations where needed to improve comprehension. The course is intended to be online in the form of blog posts with quizzes and assignments attached. To ensure inclusivity in our course, the blog posts will be consistent, well structured and organized. Since the content will be in the form of blog posts this will allow students to ask questions and leave comments on the posts to help other students and gain a greater understanding of the topic. Since it is presented online, it will be available to anyone and the resources can be re-read and learned at the students own pace. This should facilitate a broader and deeper understanding of the material.
Some things to consider when creating an inclusive learning resource is:
- Multiple communication channels (ex. email and brightspace)
- A clear navigation and origination so it is easy for everyone to follow
- Accommodations for Different Learning Styles by having quizzes, written projects, and discussion
By implementing these techniques in our learning design project we are making the lessons more inclusive to different backgrounds and learning styles.
Since my group plans to host our interactive learning resource on WordPress there are some potential barriers that we might run into in terms of accessibility and inclusivity for our course. Some of these potential problems are:
- The student may not have access to a computer or has untrustworthy internet access; this could be fixed if the school the course is part of has a library with computers that the students are able to use, and wifi that is accessible at the school. You can also consider providing options for offline submissions and resources.
- Visually impaired students are not able to read the content; we could provide videos that cover the same content making sure to describe all visuals used to help with comprehension. A VLOG could be created for those who prefer having content read to them.
- Different learning styles; make sure to provide different assessment types and include a wide range of types of content such as visual text and auditory so all students will be able to understand the content regardless of learning preference (visual, auditory and, text).
By incorporating these suggestions into a learning resource our course will be more inclusive and accessible to a wider range of students and provide a better learning experience for everyone.
Hi Chloe! Thank you for sharing your tips on how you would make your interactive learning resource inclusive and accessible! I especially appreciate the inclusion of different assessment types and a wide range of content presentations!
I wonder what you mean by “learning style?” In a few weeks, you will learn that “learning styles” is actually a myth. Research has shown no evidence to support the idea that people have specific learning styles that they prefer or are more effective for them.
All sorts of factors can impact how well someone learns. Things like how much they already know, their motivation and the feedback they receive can all make a big difference. One thing that seems to be helpful is using various instructional strategies. By catering to different learners’ needs and incorporating active learning strategies, like group work, hands-on activities, and real-world examples, learners tend to learn better. It’s all about finding what works best for each individual and ensuring they’re engaged and motivated throughout the learning process.
I didn’t realize that “learning styles” was a myth. That does make sense since, depending on the topic and other factors I prefer learning in different ways. However, I am not a fan of reading long articles so most of the time I would prefer to watch a video on the topic. What I was talking about in my post was making it so the course is more accessible to students no matter their preferred method of learning; whether that be reading, listening, watching, or more hands on.