TEI 7. Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning

• review learning styles, learning modality, cultural differences
• discuss impact of technology and learning styles
• plan and add activities to own course to address learning modality differences
• discuss implications for student / instructor learning style differences

• I tried out the low vision simulation, which lets you experience a web page through various vision related disabilities, such as Macular degeneration, cataracts, and Glaucoma. The simulation definitely gave me a better understanding of the problems faced by computer users with vision disabilities. Web designers must consider who their audience are and accomodate to them because if they are trying to sell something, the audience must be able to read it or else they will give up and go to another website. The strategies for access friendly websites gives a different perspective of how you design the website. You need to consider where you put the information, how you put the information, and the colors you choose. It needs to be usable and readable.

• After posting each other's AIM screen names on the board, we mobilized and got to chat with each other pretty quickly in the chatroom, seeing that all of us are on AIM every time we are on the computer, and that makes talking to each other very convenient and easy. ... Although it would have been more efficient and fun to speak to each other face-to-face, the fact that we had a chance to collaborate outside our individual spheres was effective.

• Even though getting all the members to meet on AIM at the same time is hard, I personally think it is the best way to communicate, since the response time is instant, and ideas may flow more easily within the group.

• AbilityHub
  http://www.abilityhub.com
• Abledata
  http://www.abledata.com/
• Indiana University also has a site with a lot of information
  http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/sitemap.html
• High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges
  http://www.htctu.fhda.edu/

1. In Diversity of learners (Learn) forum, discuss some of learning styles, learning modality, cultural differences exhibited in your classes. How to accommodate these differences? Do you offer a choice of assignments? Do you see a connection between the use of technology and learning styles in your students?

2. Try the disabilities simulations.
   AbilityHub http://www.abilityhub.com
   Abledata http://www.abledata.com/
   Indiana University
   http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/sitemap.html

3. Review the Catalyst Student Guide for information about accessibility, display adjustments, student preferences, student profile.

4. In Accessibility issues (Explore) forum, discuss accommodations for students with disabilities. What kinds of disabilities do your students have? What accommodations have you had to make?

5. Review the Catalyst Up-And-Running for Faculty at De Anza College "course" in Catalyst Development. Specifically, review the section Quizzes for information on accessibility, learning styles, multimedia.

6. For your own course, plan and add activities to address learning modality differences.

7. In Cultural influences (Apply) forum, discuss how culture and diversity influence the course presentation and conduct. Does the asynchronous nature of some technology enhancements, such as discussions, change the culture of the class? Does technology promote freedoms or provide restrictions relating to any or all forms of diversity?

8. In Whose learning style? (Evaluate) forum, discuss implications for student / instructor learning style differences. How does the learning style of the instructor affect how the course is conducted? Does the subject dictate the primary presentation style?

9. Look back at your introduction posting. In the I think... forum, discuss your learning experience. What were your expectations when you started this course? Have your expectations been met? What one thing could you have done differently that you would have benefited from?