DLO Digital Inclusion
Fifteen to twenty percent of students in the Netherlands have a need for support. Digital learning environments often poorly or inadequately meet their needs. How can we adapt these environments to provide this group with a better learning experience?
Objective
In 2024, we aim to collaborate in co-design sessions with (neurodivergent) software developers, (neurodivergent) teachers, and neurodivergent students to improve digital educational applications for neurodivergent users. The result would be a toolbox with guidelines for teachers and developers. This will enrich education by creating a more inclusive and accessible learning environment and focus on ‘lifelong development,’ significantly improving students’ learning experiences and outcomes. At the same time, it will support and enhance the work experience of neurodivergent teachers.
We have already conducted three group interviews with various stakeholders and are now setting up the co-design sessions starting in September.
Short term: Providing information and (self-) solutions for using digital tools, enabling HU to develop a digitally inclusive educational offering for students and teachers from the neurodiversity spectrum, and making the work and learning experience more inclusive for them. We also advise (neurodiverse) teachers on how to make their teaching more neuro-inclusive.
Medium term: Neuro-inclusive network: A learning community and research agenda for more neuro-inclusive development with the software industry, colleges, universities, and (private and public) companies to bring more attention to the topic of neurodiversity in online education.
Long term: Developing a toolbox (guidelines) for (neurodiverse) teachers and software developers. Collaboration with TLN and other HU stakeholders to create a training course for teachers to become more neuro-inclusive and aware of different needs in this digital work and learning environment, following the HEO slogan: a ‘mindset about inclusivity is important’ for everyone.
Results
As a result of research activities, a range of need palettes has been developed for Phase 1's objective. These visuals, including personas and videos, facilitate discussions with curriculum developers to drive action toward more inclusive digital learning environments. The research resulted in several short movies that can be viewed below:
Video - Research into inclusion in Digital Learning Environments
Video - ADHD in Digital Learning Environments
Video - ASS in Digital Learning Environments
Video - Dyslexia in Digital Learning Environments
Duration
01 September 2022 - 31 December 2024
Approach
Through literature review, group sessions, interviews, and discussions involving HU students, expert researchers, and student counselors, obstacles in information delivery for 3 neurodiverse subgroups have been identified. These insights have been compiled as guidance for developers. A similar approach will be taken with curriculum developers.
Impact
By making professional products visible, tangible, and deployable, curriculum developers, web administrators, and teachers will be better equipped to work on digital learning environments that are socially just, educational, and inclusive.
