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In today's educational landscape, it's crucial for instructors and librarians to adapt teaching practices to accommodate the diverse needs of learners, including those who are neurodiverse. So, what is Neurodiversity? According to Baron-Cohen it is (2021) “the view that there are many varieties of the brain, and all of them occur naturally, instead of the old, inaccurate, binary division into normality and abnormality” and within higher education, it’s important to note that these differences are often invisible. The rates of students joining the ranks of higher education who are neurodiverse are raising, and “...theoretically speaking, over a period of several years, about 20,000 students with [an autism] diagnosis may start their education at universities” (Cierzniewska and Podgórska-Jachnik, 2021) with only ⅓ of students with a disability informing their college (NCES, 2022).
This program discusses instruction techniques informed by empathetic pedagogy and supported by learning technology, to create inclusive learning environments that support neurotypical and neurodiverse learners alike. Beginning with an introduction to neurodiversity, attendees will be led through challenges that are often faced by neurodiverse students throughout post-secondary education. From there we expand on what Empathetic Teaching is, its values, how to espouse them, and how they align with the needs of learners of all types. Finally, we will dive into how to integrate learning technology to support a neurodiverse classroom with recommendations for incorporating assistive technology to aid learners. Join us as we explore practical strategies for teaching across various educational settings, from one-shot sessions to credit-bearing courses. This workshop counts as credit toward the Meaningful Inquiry endorsement. All are welcome.