During our year of teaching remotely, instructors recognized the many obstacles and disabling circumstances that can interfere with students' learning and found ways of building flexibility into their courses to enhance accessibility without reducing rigor. As we begin a new academic year, how can we apply what we've discovered about flexibility, accessibility, and student success? Join the Poorvu Center for this two-hour workshop on Zoom where we will discuss how to create or adapt courses in which all students can succeed. A faculty panel consisting of the D. Allan Bromley Professor of Physics, Keith Baker, and Lynette Bowring, the Assistant Professor Adjunct of Music History, will share how they approach flexible and accessible course design. Participants will also have time to work on their course(s), focusing on actions they can take during the first week of classes. Together, we will explore how creating accessible course materials and flexible course policies can be particularly important for students with disabilities, whose first language is not English, and those with unforeseen circumstances, such as temporary illness or personal emergencies. We will think through the ways accessibility is not just a checklist of tips but a way of building a classroom inclusive of every individual in it. Faculty who enrolled in the Accessibility Professional Development Program may use this session to fulfill their workshop requirement.
