Technology to Create Inclusivity

Today we heard from Dr. Valerie Irvine (@_valeriei) who is an EdTech Professor and Advisor at the University of Victoria (UVic).  She discussed the topic of ‘Technology as a Form of Social Justice’ in the context of the modern classroom.  Valerie began her presentation by starting us off with an educational twitter chat, using the hashtag #unbced.  She presented us with 4 inquiry-based questions that sparked our learning and got us thinking about the topic.  I found this to be an interesting format to hook us as learners because we have been frequently using the twitter platform specifically on Sunday nights to participate in education chats.  #bcedchat has been the largest chat platform that I have participated in, discussing topics such as sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), self care, first people’s principles of learning, and school year start up.

By using technology in my Ed Tech class EDUC-431 at the University of Northern British Columbia, I have experienced the positive impact that technology can have on learning.  I have found that technology can connect me with educators from all over British Columbia as well as other learners who are passionate about the topics they study.  Valerie expanded on the idea of connection for us during her presentation.  She discussed the benefits of both face-to-face learning as well as online and presented us with the situation of a blended classroom.  A blended classroom allows students to access the benefits of a face-to-face learning environment while simultaneously creating access for more learners through distance education.  While face-to-face learning is a necessary environment for some learners, it is also restricting students at a distance.  A blended classroom gets you the positive results from both settings.

Online education opens up the doors to individuals who may be limited by factors such as cost, work schedules, commuting, family commitments, and self care.  Education should be open to everyone and it is important that it is accessible to all.  For many people their reality is that the only way they will be able to make education work for them is through online education as it allows for so much flexibility.

As a beginning educator and life long learner I am beginning to recognize the value in online education.  I believe that everyone should have access to education and sometimes that means that the educator has to bend a bit to make it work for their learners.  In the school of education we are learning about the many ways that we need to be flexible in order to meet our students needs in the classroom and create an inclusive environment.  So why not expand beyond the classroom?  Online education helps educators to make education more inclusive for the learners that struggle with face-to-face attendance.

Not only do I understand and recognize that I am a face-to-face learner, but I know that I am not the only learner like this.  I understand that there is still value in face-to-face learning which is why the idea of a blended classroom appeals to me.  Earlier today I tweeted “As educators we should be flexible to adapt to our students’ needs. Recognize what you as the educator need to be successful and find out how you can make it work for your students. You are not teaching if the only person you’re making it work for in the room is you #unbced”  I feel very strongly about this statement and am recognizing that this will probably mean that there is a blended classroom in my future.  I am taking full advantage of my ed tech class and exploring how technology can be used in my classroom to make learning accessible to all types of learners.

As well as the educator adapting to an online classroom, students are able to participate as early as kindergarten.  Kindergartens access online education like blogging by using visuals, a lot of guidance, and teacher-led activities.  Digital presence is especially important for young families and their children because the world is changing at a rapid pace and everything is becoming available online.  It is so valuable when educators can model the importance of being a safe, kind and responsible digital citizen.  As well as learning safety, using online learning can be an incentive for young learners.  Using a different platform than traditional pen and paper format can be fun for students and encourage them to expand their learning.  Blogging also allows for creativity through the use of visual aids.  A blog could include just pictures of what learners are doing in class and be free from any word processing.

By embracing a blended classroom, educators are playing a part in fitting education into social justice practices.  Education should not be exclusive and we as educators are responsible for making the change so that learners are learning in an inclusive environment.  Educators must put in their best effort to personalize their online classroom to create an authentic learning environment for those at a distance.