Optimizing the Learning Experience of Neurodivergent Students - CLAPS 2020
Channel: Critical Librarianship & Pedagogy Symposium
Date: 2020-08-28

(Transcript, slides, and bib: http://tiny.cc/neurodiv)
Presenter: Paige Crowl, Oxford College of Emory University

It’s our responsibility as library instructors to ensure that all students are served well by our instruction, and we recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach especially fails historically marginalized students. Neurodivergent learners are not only marginalized, but too often forgotten by academic libraries when they set out to address their issues with equity and inclusion. I believe that we should adapt to learners by meeting them where they are – good instruction is accessible for everyone, and until we are meeting the needs of each student, we are failing all of them. I want to invite participants into a conversation about how we can adopt teaching practices that are dedicated to offering multiple modes of engagement and allowing students to interact with library instruction material on their terms. I hope to discuss the applications of UDL (Universal Design for Learning) Guidelines and how we can think outside the box of what has traditionally constituted “engagement” in educational systems. I am also hopeful that attendees will bring their own experiences meeting the needs of students to share.