Discussion: Access is the Foundation of All Other Pedagogy

As you think about the systems and electronic tools that you and your colleagues use for interacting with learners and one another, reflect on the statement that ‘access is the foundation of all other pedagogy.’ What this means is that without access to content, to each other, to instructors, to support staff, and to the wider world, learners are unable to start, take part in, or complete learning interactions of any kind. Before we can create diverse, equitable, or inclusive learning spaces and interactions, we have to be sure that our learners can actually get access to those spaces reliably.

Please add your thoughts to the Padlet below by clicking on the plus sign under each column to add your thoughts. 

In your own organization, what are the spaces to which your learners must have access? Think of both physical spaces (like classrooms, labs, libraries, and training rooms) and virtual spaces (like a virtual learning environment, shared document system, video service, library site, or real-time interactive space).

As you list the ‘must have’ tools or spaces where learners must connect successfully, predict or share where you perceive gaps for some or all of your learners. Perhaps talk about their time demands (work, family, military service), device usage (how many own smartphones as opposed to laptop or desktop computers), or other potential or known barriers (disability, safety/belonging concerns, access to wi-fi).

Padlet supports screenreaders and is in the process of testing Padlet for WCAG 2.1 level AA compliance. For more information please review their accessibility page here.

Read your colleagues’ messages in the Padlet and compare them to your own institution’s tool sets and interaction needs. Where are your colleagues doing things well, and where do so you see possible solutions or areas of agreement with your own situation? Post your response in the discussion below.