Week 3 Reflection — Exploring Inclusive Design and Openness in Education
What Happened This Week
This week, I explored what makes a good blog post, the foundations of online and open education, and the Free Inquiry Project assignment. The readings and transcript helped me understand how open education connects to ideas of accessibility, inclusion, and learner choice.
Dr. Valerie Irvine discussed how education today is becoming multi-access, meaning students can join classes in person, online, or asynchronously, depending on their situation. This flexibility supports people who may not be able to attend traditional classes, creating more inclusive and equitable learning environments. I learned that open education isn’t just about free materials — it’s also about empowering all learners to participate and removing unnecessary barriers.
According to the EDCI 339 Blog Guide, a strong blog post should be authentic, reflective, and enriched with media. I kept this in mind by organizing my writing using the “What → So What → Now What” framework and by including links and visuals that make the learning visible.
Inclusive Education fosters collaboration and accessibility in all learning environments (Vrogue, 2024).
So What? Meaning and Insight
The idea of inclusive online learning really stood out to me. Even open courses can unintentionally exclude learners who lack stable internet or adaptive technologies. According to Faculty Focus, creating inclusive digital environments means designing with all learners in mind — for instance, using Universal Design for Learning (UDL), closed captions, and clear navigation.
I also realized that blogging is not just writing for a grade — it’s a form of open communication. When we include personal reflections, media, and critical thought, readers can connect to our perspective and build on it.
Digital inclusion helps learners engage meaningfully, regardless of background or ability (CEDEFOP, 2024).
Now What? Next Steps
Moving forward, I plan to apply what I learned by:
- Structuring each blog post using the reflection model (What, So What, Now What).
- Embedding links, images, and attributions to enhance learning visibility.
- Designing my Free Inquiry Project on Color Psychology in Branding, while being mindful of accessibility — for example, ensuring that colors used are contrast- and color-blind-friendly.
- Continuing to think critically about inclusion, openness, and empathy in my learning designs.
This week helped me see that good blogging and good teaching share a purpose — to include, engage, and connect.
References
CEDEFOP. (2024). Digital inclusion and well-being. [Image]. https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.7YbTOQJDA6z-Kym3N7qZMQHaFR
Faculty Focus. (2024, January 12). Enhancing access, engagement, and inclusion in online education. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/blended-flipped-learning/enhancing-access-engagement-and-inclusion-in-online-education
Vrogue. (2024). Inclusive Education: Primary School Teacher Classroom [Image]. https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.hAmfkIEK9Q8q7h8rD7Oi2QHaHa?pid=Api
University of Victoria – EdTech. (2023, September 21). What makes a good blog post. https://edtechuvic.ca/edci339/2023/09/21/what-makes-a-good-blog-post/