Cultivating Equitable Distance Learning Systems

• In Event: From the Classroom to the Boardroom: Exploring Approaches to Promoting Equity in Education

Abstract

Low-technology distance learning is a need that emerged after the school environment changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic when many students could not participate fully in distance learning due to a lack of internet access. We used a model of learning interactions and a framework for equitable delivery of content to design innovative strategies for low-technology distance learning that could support social-constructivist pedagogy. Two researchers and ten teachers engaged in participatory co-design to develop two books of distance learning lessons that provide learner interactions without internet access. Books were distributed to 15,000 students and 300 teachers. Our materials address an important aspect of equity that emerged during the pandemic—the design of the distance learning environment to promote accessibility.

Authors

• Lori Andersen, University of Hawaii at Manoa

• Ming Wei Koh, Center for Getting Things Started