The 4th International Conference on Open and Distance eLearning (ICODeL 2021), held on 13-15 October 2021, included a Plenary Session devoted to “Using New Technologies for Inclusive Education.”
The event was graced by Prof. Don Passey as one of the Plenary Speakers. Prof. Passey is a Professor in Lancaster University, United Kingdom, and Chair of the Technical Committee on Education at the International Federation for Information Processing. The session was moderated by Asst. Prof. Ana Katrina Marcial from the UPOU Faculty of Education and the Director of the UPOU Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services (OASIS).
Prof. Don Passey, Speaker, and Asst. Prof. Ana Katrina Marcial, Moderator
The session discussed the past, present, and future in inclusive education. Prof. Passey shared that in the past, there was a huge potential for technology to enhance both teaching and learning. He added that most of the current practices in education are based on past models. In the present, inclusive education was changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the academic institutions shifted from face-to-face mode to remonte, blended, hybrid or online modes of education. At this time, not only was there a change in mode, but a change in medium, the various supports, as well as the environment in learning due to the global pandemic.
Moving to the future, it is essential to take forward lessons for the next phase. According to Prof. Passey, in order for us to understand and have a resolution toward inclusive education, it is important to identify factors and encourage technologies to support inclusive practice. This would be possible if resources would be accessible even or most especially via mobile. While online training sessions are helpful, their structures and formats must be thought about as variety and pace are two important factors to consider in the level of interest of learners. Prof. Passey shared that variety and pace are important to avoid and address fatigue. In addition, there has to be offline and online opportunities to engage learning and that is essential to take breaks.
The session ended with an open forum where Prof. Passey shared that addressing inclusivity cannot be done in one day, one way or a single tactic as education should be addressed strategically and should be taken step by step to balance inclusivity and the limited resources.
ICODeL 2021 is the fourth in a series of biennial conferences hosted by the UP Open University. Carrying the theme “The University of the Future: Sustainability and Agility Amidst Disruption,” ICODeL 2021 was held virtually on 13-15 October 2021. The conference was sponsored by Panoptop and co-organized with the Philippine Society for Distance Learning (PSDL), and UPOU Foundation, Inc. (UPOUFI).
Written by the ICODeL 2021 Publicity Committee
Edited by Joane V. Serrano, Anna Cañas-Llamas and Alessa Shainne Hostalero