Diversity in Learning
This course has been researched, designed, and deployed by Paul Danyluk, Andrew Morris, and Chris Perry, but we are only part of the process. Your insights and contributions will help build a community of learning that expands our collective understanding of diversity in education.
Diversity in education extends beyond representation, it’s about ensuring that all learners have equitable access to meaningful learning experiences. While MOOCs were originally envisioned as a way to revolutionize access to education, they often come with significant barriers. Can they be improved to better support diverse learners?
Our mini MOOC-style course is designed as a thought experiment to explore what works and what doesn’t. As we examine the intersection of MOOCs, UDL, and universal tools, a key question emerges: Can a single set of "universal" tools truly serve diverse learners, or do they risk reinforcing existing barriers in digital education?
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Course Lessons
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Lesson 1: MOOCs
This lesson explores the promise and challenges of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), examining their accessibility, pedagogical approaches, and evolving role in education. While MOOCs remove geographical and financial barriers, they also present issues such as high dropout rates, algorithmic bias, and limited engagement, raising critical questions about their effectiveness in serving diverse learners.
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Lesson 2: Diversity in Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework aimed at optimizing teaching and learning for all individuals. In this lesson, we will explore the relationship between diversity and UDL, discussing the importance of inclusive practices and strategies that support varied learning styles.
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Lesson 3: Universal Tools
This lesson critically examines whether universal tools in MOOCs genuinely support diversity or serve as surface-level solutions.
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AI Usage Statement - ChatGPT was used by the authors to generate iterations for the organization and layout of our own original ideas, research, and thinking. All critical analysis is our own.