This week, I have explored many resources related to the importance of equity and Universal Design for all Learners. While watching a video on the importance of viewing student Funds of Knowledge as assets in the classroom, I learned that the graduation rates among migrant students are very low, about half. This information struck me as a testament to the lack of support students from different cultural backgrounds must experience. It is clear that supporting learners from diverse backgrounds is critical in the educational environment. Online and Blended Learning brings with it potential for great good to be done in providing equitable access to education for all learners through Open Education Resources such as the OER Commons website, OER Commons . However, this structure for learning also brings with it a number of challenges that must be addressed. The largest challenge for learners and educators is access to content in a Blended & Online format. Learners can be provided with tools that enhance their learning and exciting opportunities to explore content in new ways impossible without technology, but if learners cannot access that content due to lack of resources, existing inequality is greatly exacerbated. Lack of access could be caused due to lack of the tools needed to interact with the content: reliable technology devices- computers or tablets, internet, community resources-library device access. Another challenge that can limit learner access is the technology history of the learner. With each device or resource, there is a learning curve for a user to familiarize themselves with how to use it. If learners are expected to use technology resources that they are unfamiliar with in order to learn content, what is required to participate for that student is unequal to what is required for a student already familiar with the tech. As this is the most critical component to providing a learning environment for all students, these needs must be addressed before the first lesson begins in the online learning environment. For myself, learning about individual student needs is of the highest importance. Students from every cultural background with diverse experiences and individual strengths should be supported and afforded the greatest opportunity to learn and grow as possible. Diverse learners have vast cultural resources that will enrich the classroom as a welcoming classroom environment opens up to them. Therefore, identifying diverse individual learner needs and providing necessary supports in order to provide student-centered teaching to support all learners is my personal goal. Other Resources
1 Comment
Dilnoza
12/14/2022 08:33:51 am
Yes, Katrina, you're right unfortunately there challenges and barrier. You suggested a one of the good solutions that an individual teacher could help with is to identify students' needs, experiences and strengths in order to provide them with support and opportunities.
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AuthorHello, I am Katrina Stancombe, a senior at Indiana University finishing up an Elementary Education Degree with an additional license in Blended and Online Learning. Archives
December 2022
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