Bending with the Breeze: Flexible Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Disability Support in Online Learning

"I feel the lectures that I can go back and play again (not a speedy note taker) because they are videos has been such a massive improvement for my learning. I don't know what I would do without them."

- Student Quote – AHEAD Learning from Home 2021 Research Participant

The experience of moving to remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the possibilities that exist to offer more flexible modes of learning and the benefits of these modes and practices for a variety of learners. With remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic compounding difficulties for some learners and easing them for others (AHEAD 2020), it is clear that education design and approaches to teaching and learning have a significant effect on the student learning experience. By considering and implementing approaches that take the variability of the student body into account when designing programmes of study, teaching staff and programme coordinators can play a vital role in affording students a positive learning environment with flexibility built in from the outset, providing students with the opportunity to learn in a way that suits them.

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Workshop Session (Live Only) 12:00-13:00

Clarity for Inclusive Engagement - laying out your VLE course page

Jennifer Pusateri, University of Kentucky

Jennifer Pusateri University of Kentucky

Jennifer Pusateri is the Universal Design Consultant for the University of Kentucky's Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) where she fosters the advancement of accessibility and inclusive teaching practices across campus. Jennifer previously served as the co-chair and charter member of the international UDLHE (UDL in Higher Ed.) Network. She is also a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Kentucky, studying Educational Sciences with a concentration on Curriculum & Instruction.

As a member of the prestigious CAST National Faculty, Jennifer regularly presents UDL workshops and webinars for school districts, college faculty, and state boards of education across the United States. Pusateri has also been featured as a guest UDL specialist in podcasts such as Think UDL and Teaching in Higher Ed.

Before arriving at the University of Kentucky, Jennifer worked for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) where she served as an education consultant and specialist in differentiated learning and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Jennifer taught Arts & Humanities for grades K-8 at a nationally recognized school for students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Lunch and Poster Viewing 13:00-14:00

Lightning Session 14:00-15:00 (Live and Recorded)

Raising awareness of dyscalculia to support teaching and learning

Ruth Murphy, Disability Projects Co-ordinator, Munster Technological University (MTU) (previously Cork Institute of Technology)

Ruth Murphy Disability Projects Co-ordinator, Munster Technological University (MTU) (previously Cork Institute of Technology)

Ruth Murphy has worked with the MTU Disability Support Service (DSS) in Cork for over 11 years. This has included developing post-entry supports for students with disabilities, and pre-entry initiatives such as introducing the DARE scheme to the university. Her qualifications include an MSc in Information and Library Studies, Diploma in Disability Studies, Diploma in Autism Studies (to be completed in 2021), Certificate of Competency in Educational Testing and is currently studying an MA in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in MTU. Her research interests include students with disabilities and access and progression in higher education.

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Deirdre Casey, MTU

Using film within an inclusive approach to delivery in graduate education: a too often ignored gap in the UDL scholarship?

Dr Frederic Fovet, Associate Professor, School of Education and Technology, Royal Roads University

The Hobby Shed – our Safe Haven for co-production in a shared virtual teaching and learning space

Fiona McCoy, National Learning Network

Fiona McCoy National Learning Network

National Learning Networks mission is to promote equality by providing world-class training, education and employment access services, and by actively influencing the creation of a more inclusive society. The Hobby shed is a collaboration of staff and students from National Learning Network Athlone. The Hobby shed promotes inclusion and a safe port for students and staff to showcase their talents.

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“Be Stubborn About Your Goals, But Flexible About Your Methods”

Siobhan Magner, National Programme Manager for the Sales Apprenticeship, Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB)

Siobhan Magner National Programme Manager for the Sales Apprenticeship, Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB)

Following almost 20 years in Higher Education, Siobhan Magner moved to Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) and the Further Education and Training sector in 2017 to support ETBs in the area of new apprenticeship design and development.

In 2019 she moved to Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board where she holds the post of National Programme Manager for the Sales Apprenticeship. She was recently promoted to Assistant Manager of Sligo Training Centre with strategic and operational management of new apprenticeships in MSLETB.

Her research interests include work-based learning initiatives, innovative assessment strategies and entrepreneurial education.

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Edel Gavan, Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB)

Edel Gavan Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB)

Edel is passionate about the flexible learning opportunities technology can bring to communities. She was first drawn to blended learning because of the opportunities it afforded rural areas. She has over 15 years of experience working within the technology industry most significantly with Hibernia College, an early leader in blended education in Ireland. Her areas of interest include finding creative solutions to problems, student-centred learning, universal design for learning and digital portfolios.

She has an MSc in Applied eLearning from Dublin Institute of Technology and a BA (Hons) Business and Marketing from the University of Wales.

She has recently completed a Level 9 Certificate in Programme Design and Validation for FET with Maynooth University and is a Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE). She was the regional winner of the Employee Rising Star Award at the Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2021. She is also currently taking part in the UCD Professional Certificate in Creativity & Innovation for Education.

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Lorraine Devaney, Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB)

Lorraine Devaney Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB)

Lorraine Devaney works as an e-Mentor with MSL ETB providing day-to-day support, setup and training in the use of instructional and educational technologies and services.

With over 20 years’ experience working in the education sector, she has worked extensively as an IT Trainer delivering both traditional classroom and blended courses to a range of diverse learners. Previously Lorraine worked as a Content Writer, working as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop a variety of e-learning courses.

She was awarded a Masters in Multimedia Technology from University College Cork, a Higher Diploma in Education from University College Dublin, as well as Foundation Diploma in Training and Education, and Assessment Theory and Practice from NUI Galway.

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Why Universal Design for Learning Works

Ron B. Rogers, OCALI Colleen Kornish, State Support Team 9, the Ohio UDL Collaborative

Colleen Kornish State Support Team 9, the Ohio UDL Collaborative
@OuMommy2

Colleen Kornish is an educational consultant and coach with Ohio’s State Support Team in Region 9. Her role focuses on leadership and team development, as well as, inclusive instructional practices to ensure that each child in Ohio has access to a high-quality education. Colleen is passionate about Universal Design for Learning because it honors and celebrates the diverse interests and unique talents of ALL. She is a member of the Ohio UDL Collaborative and provides professional learning opportunities for educators on UDL. Before joining SST9, Colleen was an elementary school principal. She is a mom to two middle schoolers, Owen and Bea. She loves learning, coffee, connecting with others, and morning hikes with her dog, Frank.

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Keynote Session (Live and Recorded) 15:30-16:30

HyFlex Learning Serves Everybody - Student-directed Learning Model

Dr Brian Beatty, San Sanfrisco State University

Dr Brian Beatty San Sanfrisco State University

Dr. Brian Beatty is Associate Professor of Instructional Technologies in the Department of Equity, Leadership Studies and Instructional Technologies at San Francisco State University. Brian’s primary areas of interest and research include social interaction in online learning, flipped classroom implementation, and developing instructional design theory for Hybrid-Flexible learning environments. At SFSU, Dr. Beatty pioneered the development and evaluation of the HyFlex course design model for blended learning environments, implementing a “student-directed-hybrid” approach to better support student learning.

Previously (2012 – 2020), Brian was Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Operations at San Francisco State University (SFSU), overseeing the Academic Technology unit and coordinating the use of technology in the academic programs across the university. He worked closely with IT professionals and leaders in other units to coordinate overall information technology strategic management at SFSU. Prior to 2012, Brian was Associate Professor and Chair of the Instructional Technologies department in the Graduate College of Education at SFSU. He received his Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University Bloomington in 2002. Dr. Beatty also holds several CA single-subject teaching credentials, an M.A. in Instructional Technologies from SF State and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University. Dr. Beatty has more than 25 years’ experience as a classroom teacher, trainer, and instructional designer at schools, businesses, and the US Navy.

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