When describing UDL, it would have been easier to read if you incorporate the three principles using a list.
I agree that course design is integral to incorporating accessibility. In UDL, one of the key applications in education is using different media. So, definitely a course has to integrate media effectively and smoothly.
Regarding equity concerns, technology is definitely a barrier to some students. Technology can be expensive. So, the financial costs should be taken into account when incorporating it to education.
Your personal experience shows that UDL can be an effective way to encourage student participation. There are some cases in class where the course design does not encourage participation. UDL can provide a solution to that problem.
I appreciate that you included a hyperlink towards the referenced podcast. It gives the reader a chance to learn more about UDL if they are interested.
I definitely understand that UDL is important for a students who are easily distracted. Given the emphasis on including students of **all** diverse backgrounds, it has similarities to the accommodations given to students in CAL.
Suggestions
I would have liked you to expand more on accessibility. Maybe give examples of how UDL incorporates accessibility, whether it is through subtitles or different media types.
I would have also liked to read more about your own personal experiences regarding UDL. Where you provide specific examples as a college student.
Conclusion
Other than that, you have defined UDL perfectly. I definitely understand what you mean by UDL.
I appreciate that you emphasize the application of UDL within diverse backgrounds. This diversity can be seen through their different backgrounds whether it’s by culture, class, and etc..
Accessibility in Online learning environments is well explained. I agree that there should be “free or low-cost resources”. Giving the option to view the learning content through multiple devices provides the students a choice between cheaper alternative technology.
For ethical challenges, I will say that you could add into the concern of security. In which, students should be ensured that their personal data is secure and not open to the public.
Other than that, I appreciate that you use different formats to show information (video and images).
Open Pedagogy is the creation of free resources that allow students to collaborate to create and add to the learning resource. It is a good way to remove financial barriers while allowing others to share their knowledge.
It differs traditionally from teaching as teaching usually has geographical and financial barriers that Open Pedagogy does not. Open Pedagogy removes geographical obstacles because it is accessible through the internet. Therefore, someone can learn the same amount just by accessing a website.
Open Education Resources (OER), are a direct result of Open Pedagogy. In the way that it shares the same pedagogy.
Open Education
If Open Educational Resources (OER) are used in the educational landscape, many educational barriers will be removed. Textbooks are an essential part of many students’ lives. However, financial barriers can make students unable to purchase these textbooks. Textbooks on average cost 285 USD per academic year (Hanson, 2024). Therefore, students will have cheaper alternatives to textbooks if OER is integrated.
Global Trends
Some global trends indicate the increasing rate of Open Education adoption. Adoption is fairly new in many countries. OER has many benefits, however because of the novelty of OER, implementing OER in education can be challenging.
As shown, some countries lack development in OER. It is important to produce well-thought-out policies and regulations before full implementation (Ndibalema, 2024).
Creative Commons
Creative Commons Licensing is important for OER because Open Education is licensed under open license. This is an important distinction as an open license means the resource is open to the public for free use and adaptation. Therefore, if a person wants to create an open education, they would need to add the open license to indicate the level of access the public can have.
Using the key attributes of Open Pedagogy, the chart table below will summarize how I can implement it in my educational practices, and how it contributes to an inclusive and participatory learning environment.
Key Attributes
Educational Practices
Contribution to Inclusivity
Collaboration
Contribute to educational resources such as online textbooks, articles, etc.
Students have a chance to actively show their learning through content creation
Transparency
Provide OER as teaching resources (ex. Khan Academy)
Students have access to learning resources without cost
Student-centered learning
Provide students open-ended assignments where students are given more freedom to choose a topic
Students are encouraged to learn through a topic they find interesting
Conclusion
Open Pedagogy is integral in making education inclusive to students who experience financial barriers. Textbooks are expensive and should not stop a student from learning. Therefore, implementing OER can be helpful in providing an inclusive learning environment.
Source
Ndibalema, Placidius. (2024). Global Trends on Adoption of Open Education Resources in Higher Education Institutions: A Bibliometric Analysis. HURIA JOURNAL OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA. 30. 10.61538/huria.v30i1.1474.
