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10-10-2022 | Original Paper

Accessible Online Learning: A Preliminary Investigation of Educational Technologists’ and Faculty Members’ Knowledge and Skills

Authors: Patrick R. Lowenthal, Amy Lomellini

Published in: TechTrends | Issue 2/2023

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Abstract

Colleges and Universities have a more diverse student body than ever before—this includes a growing number of students with disabilities. Many of these students are attracted to the flexibility and anonymity of learning online. However, research suggests that students with disabilities often face barriers learning online. Given this, we set out to investigate how faculty and educational technologists are prepared to design accessible online courses and instructional materials. We surveyed 95 educational technologists, directors, and disability access personnel in this exploratory study. In the following paper, we report the results of our inquiry into these professionals’ perspectives on faculty and educational technologists’ knowledge and skills in creating accessible courses and instructional materials. We conclude by discussing the implications for research and practice.

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next article Correction: Review of Kirschner, P.A., Hendrick, C., and Heal, J. (2022). How Teaching Happens: Seminal Works in Teaching and Teacher Effectiveness and What they Mean in Practice. Routledge. ISBN: 978-1-032-13208-2

We use the term “educational technologists” as a general shorthand term to include a variety of positions or job titles such as academic technologists, instructional technologists, instructional designers, etc.

We use this general term to include directors of online learning, directors of academic technology etc.

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Title: Accessible Online Learning: A Preliminary Investigation of Educational Technologists’ and Faculty Members’ Knowledge and Skills
Authors: Patrick R. Lowenthal
Amy Lomellini
Publication date: 10-10-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: TechTrends / Issue 2/2023
Print ISSN: 8756-3894
Electronic ISSN: 1559-7075
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-022-00790-1

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Accessible Online Learning: A Preliminary Investigation of Educational Technologists’ and Faculty Members’ Knowledge and Skills

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