Digital Technology for Inclusive Learning, July 1-18

At the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Describe how digital technologies can be used to support inclusive learning, teaching and assessment
• Apply the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in the classroom through effective use of digital technologies
• Identify appropriate digital tools and strategies that support inclusive learning in your classroom
• Create and share an accessible digital resource
• Create an action plan for your class identifying how you will use digital technology to support inclusive learning.

This course will explore how digital technology can support a UDL approach, looking in particular at how pupils engage with learning (Multiple Means of Engagement), how learning content can be represented by teachers in an accessible way (Multiple Means of Representation) and how pupils can use digital technology to express themselves and demonstrate their learning (Multiple Means of Expression).

The course is broken into five modules:

1. Overview of digital technology to support inclusion
2. Multiple Means of Engagement
3. Multiple Means of Representation
4. Multiple Means of Action and Expression
5. Digital Learning Planning, Online Safety and Next Steps.

It contains a range of opportunities for reflection, including a UDL self-assessment, assignments based on participants’ own contexts as well as opportunities for discussion and sharing of practice with other teachers.

Participant requirements: A high standard of meaningful participant engagement on this course is required for successful completion. This involves joining in a range of online discussions, communicating with fellow participants and the e-tutor, as well as completing a number of tasks (e.g., a lesson outline, a reflective learning log and a Learning Record). Other detailed requirements are covered within the course.

Note also the Department of Education requirement that, where a participant has registered for more than one course (with any course provider), courses may only be completed consecutively rather than concurrently.

Device:  A laptop, desktop pc or tablet* with the latest version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari installed. An inbuilt or separate microphone, or a smartphone, may be required for recording audio for one assignment (only). A good broadband internet connection is essential. 

*Most tablet devices work well with our course software, but some older devices may not be compatible. Please do not use a smartphone to complete the course.

Software/Apps: While this course is free, the content includes examples of many apps and software titles for the purposes of illustration, some of which involve a cost. Also, the course requires all participants to create an account on a choice of (free or paid) apps for resource creation and sharing.

NB: Participants need to access a third-party application – without needing to login – as part of the course. Please be aware of these applications’ terms of service and privacy policies, as follows: Slido privacy and security information.

Participants enrolling in this course are asked to commit to participating in a follow up (impact) survey and a short course for reflection and sharing in the following school year, on ‘Using Digital Technologies in the Primary Classroom’. This will enable participants to reflect on their practice and share their experiences of implementing learning from the course in their own classrooms with other teachers who completed the summer course.

About 45 minutes of your time is all that is required for these two items.

A course certificate is provided upon completion of this course. This course is approved for EPV days.

All participants must accept our terms of service when first accessing our online courses learning platform, which cover key participant undertakings, obligations and code of conduct in relation to course engagement.

By enrolling in this course, you also accept the following:

• The time spent on the course must include a minimum of 10 online hours within the Oide Technology in Education course (on our learning platform), according to the automatic calculation of online time by our learning platform. Online time calculation is not an exact science as it is subject to many variables, but this automatic online time calculation will stand.
• Participants must not delete the resources/links created and shared via other platforms (e.g., Scoilnet Learning Paths and Video apps) until after 31st August, 2024.
• Participants must formally commence the course in advance of 36 hours before course closure at the latest.
• Courses are designed and delivered in accordance with strict Department of Education (DE) criteria and administrative requirements which must be met, in accordance with the Handbook for Providers 2024. These include the stipulation that plagiarism and impersonation will not be tolerated.