AccessCyberlearning Capacity Building Institute (2016)

Proceedings of the March 2016 AccessCyberlearning Capacity Building Institute (CBI)

This publication shares the proceedings of the AccessCyberlearning Capacity Building Institute. The content may be useful for people who

• participated in the CBI,
• create online learning tools,
• promote the inclusive design of online learning technology and practices through the application of universal design principles and strategies,
• seek to increase their understanding of issues surrounding the participation of students with disabilities in online learning options,
• would like to access resources to help make their online learning tools welcoming to, accessible  to, and usable by everyone, including those with disabilities, and/or
• have promising practices to share with others.

About AccessCyberlearning

AccessCyberlearning works with current and future cyberlearning researchers, technology developers, and instructors to inform their research with what is known about student differences/disabilities; design innovative learning technologies and teaching strategies that are welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by everyone, including people with disabilities; and ensure that project materials (e.g., websites, videos, curriculum) and activities (e.g., meetings, presentations) are welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by all participants.

AccessCyberlearning activities are designed to engage Cyberlearning projects and projects with similar goals in ways that explore how current knowledge and studies about people with disabilities can inform cyberlearning research, learning technology development, teaching strategies, and outreach. The goal is to make online learning opportunities high quality as well as welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by the broadest audience, including students and instructors with disabilities.

By addressing disability-related issues, AccessCyberlearning will help cyberlearning researchers, technology developers, and instructors work toward the ultimate goal of making the learning experiences of all students more effective and the online teaching experiences available to more potential instructors. Participants in AccessCyberlearning will become better prepared to make technological advances that (1) foster deep understanding of content coordinated with masterful learning of skills; (2) draw in and encourage learning among populations not served well by current educational practices; and (3) provide new ways of assessing understanding, engagement, and capabilities of learners.