Training Industry Magazine - Fall 2023 - 11

WHAT'S NEXT
IN TECH
STELLA LEE,
PH.D.
LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY TO CREATE MORE
INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE LEARNING
To have diversity, equity and inclusion
(DEI) at work means that people,
regardless of who they are or what they
do for their jobs, feel equally valued,
supported, empowered and represented
in all areas of the workplace. Workplace
learning, particularly in an increasingly
common remote and hybrid setting,
needs to facilitate the inclusion of all
learners. However, it is challenging to
know which approach to take or what
best practices to follow, especially when
learning is augmented by technology.
Below are some considerations about
how to leverage technology to design
an inclusive learning environment.
ENSURE THAT
TECHNOLOGY EMPOWERS
AND CONNECTS PEOPLE
Online learning can be isolating, so
connect your learners with a network
of
use technology - consider the choice of
hardware (e.g., mobile devices, laptops, VR
headsets); software (e.g., applications,
apps, extensions); and technologybased
learning environment (e.g.,
learning management system, content
libraries, collaboration platforms)
to ensure they provide multiple
means of access, representation
and engagement.
For example, does your video player
allow closed captioning? Is your LMS
compatible with screen readers so
that people with visual impairment can
navigate around the system without
problems? For instructional design, I
recommend this best practices guide
that incorporates UDL.
BE INTENTIONAL
ABOUT HOW YOU
USE TECHNOLOGY.
support via collaboration and
communication tools. Many such
tools support the creation of multiple
discussion groups, the ability to
post questions and share resources,
and the opportunity to mentor
others. Make sure that the rules of
engagement are clearly established
and that people are encouraged to
share their life experiences, have
alternative perspectives, debate ideas
and in general help create a place that
is open to different viewpoints.
USE UNIVERSAL DESIGN
PRINCIPLES
Universal Design Principles (UDL)
champion for accessible and inclusive
instructional approaches that consider
the abilities of all learners and eliminate
unnecessary hurdles in the learning
process. Be intentional about how you
PROVIDE USER CONTROL
AND AGENCY
Providing user control and agency
is important for both in-person
and remote learning as there are
no " typical " learners. People have
varied abilities, strengths, constraints,
experiences and preferences. These
aspects can be dynamic and change
depending on the context, content
and time. Taking this variability into
account, we need to design learning
experiences
that
are
flexible and
provide multiple support options.
For example, offer different learning
pathways, delivery modes/media and
pacing (e.g., the option to skip ahead or
to slow down and revisit certain content/
activity). It is equally important to provide
an opt-out option, especially for data
TRAINING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE - FALL 2023 I WWW.TRAININGINDUSTRY.COM/MAGAZINE
Dr. Stella Lee has over 20 years of
experience in consulting, planning,
designing, implementing and measuring
learning initiatives. Her focus is on largescale
learning projects including LMS
evaluation and implementation, learning
analytics, and artificial intelligence
applications. Email Stella.
11
collection and analysis. Be transparent
about user privacy and data ownership:
People need to be informed about how
data are collected, used and stored.
And they should be able to choose not
to have their personal data collected.
BUILD CAPACITY AND LITERACY
FOR TECHNOLOGY
Participation in online and blended
learning requires technology access
and a set of digital literacies that are not
equally accessible to all learners. This
is more so the case with the advance
of artificial intelligence (AI) and other
emerging technologies such as the
metaverse. Technology literacy equips
learners with the skills to find credible
information, critically evaluate sources,
create thoughtful content and also to
understand what digital tools are better
suited for different learning strategies
and purposes (e.g., mobile devices are
better for viewing short videos and
micro-learning content but not as easy
to access an entire course). Embed
technology literacy skills into your
overarching learning offering so that
everyone can start from a base of shared
understanding and become adaptable
as innovations arise.
Technology can help create and
support an inclusive workplace learning
environment. It requires commitment,
thoughtful design and intentionally
removing barriers to access.

https://trainingindustry.com/glossary/blended-learning/ https://trainingindustry.com/glossary/blended-learning/ https://trainingindustry.com/glossary/blended-learning/ https://opened.uoguelph.ca/instructor-resources/UD---Best-Practices-for-Online-Learning https://trainingindustry.com/magazine/spring-2023/whats-in-the-metaverse-for-us-creating-an-immersive-ld-strategy-that-boosts-human-connection-skilling-and-collaboration/ https://tilt.colostate.edu/netiquette-ground-rules-for-online-discussions/ https://tilt.colostate.edu/netiquette-ground-rules-for-online-discussions/ https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/designing-your-course/universal-design-learning https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/designing-your-course/universal-design-learning https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine

Training Industry Magazine - Fall 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Magazine - Fall 2023