Information Design and Universal Design for Learning (BOS)

For more information, visit
http://sabes.org/technology/mcae/network2007/kamiya_sheridan

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Overview

The Work of Edward Tufte and concepts of Universal Design for Learning and their implications for ABE

Details

In this workshop we’ll explore the principles of information design espoused by Edward Tufte, renowned author and thinker. Also, more broadly we’ll consider the concepts of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as they apply to designing curriculum and lessons for ABE and ESOL students. All too often we offer text or pictures in our instruction but very often without giving thought to why. Through new research on how our brains work while learning we can now understand how to best structure technology and media to teach to all students. Traditional curriculum and learning materials have placed a disproportionate amount of emphasis on the spoken and written word. Those with the aptitude for this type of curriculum and materials excelled and the others didn’t not. Those that did not were labelled, “Learning Disabled”. But through a new mode of thinking called Universal Design for Learning we can now label the curriculum and old pedagogy as disabled. Now we can learn how we can use a multitude of media and dimension to make our presentations of information richer and more engaging and our curriculum more broadly accessible and pedagogically sound.

 Tufte, in his work as teacher, writer and designer of books on analytical design, has created a new field of study in the world of information aesthetics. This is not just about the beauty of presentation though but about how information can be most useful and easily digestible for the viewer. By discussing and critiquing examples of good and bad educational / information designs, with consideration of the use of color, tables, graphs, font quality, and other graphical elements we will create new metrics for judging their usefulness as components of good learning material. We’ll include applications to ABE and ESOL. Hands on activities will entail rethinking old lesson plans in a new light and investigate using different types of media, re-formatting the information/data for maximum cognitive integrity and design universality so that we can become better producers (and consumers) of information for teaching and learning.

When

December 7, 2007 from 01:00 pm to 03:00 pm

Where

• 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125 Wheatley 4th Floor, Room 167
• University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02125

Click for map and directions

Registration Deadline

Nov 27, 2007 at 5:00 PM

Topics

ABE, ESOL, GED, Curriculum Development, Technology

Multi-session attendance required

no

Contact info

Akira Kamiya
akira.kamiya@umb.edu
617-287-4075

Indicators of Program Quality

IPQ1 - Curriculum and instruction

Learning objectives

Identify good and bad educational information designs, while considering use of color, tables, graphs, font quality, and other structural and graphical elements. Have general knowledge of Universal Design for Learning to allow modification of existing lesson plans for greater accessibility. Be able to access additional web and library resources on Edward Tufte and Universal Design for Learning.

Presenters

Akira Kamiya - Computer Field Technologist ALRI Boston SABES
Nancy Sheridan - Assistant Coordinator South East SABES / Bristol Community College

Prerequisites

Experience teaching ABE/ ESOL or developing curricula.

Host RSC

Boston Region

PDPs

no