Global Takes on UDL and Special Education with Dr. Eunice Ofori
Dec 7, 2023
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Dr. Eunice Ofori, an educator from Ghana with a PhD in optimizing instructional messaging for mobile devices, discusses the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its global implications, the potential applications of AI as an assistive technology, the challenges of digital inclusion in education, and the value of personal experiences in gaining a deeper understanding of different perspectives.
Dr. Eunice Ofori emphasizes the importance of personalized learning and creating instruction with accessibility in mind.
She highlights the role of technology, such as AI and text-to-speech software, in improving accessibility and enhancing student success.
Deep dives
Yunus Ofori's Background and Motivation for UDL
Yunus Ofori, a senior instructional designer at Tulane University, shares her unique background from Ghana and her interest in comparing the Ghanaian and American education systems. She expresses a desire to provide accommodation for students with disabilities in Ghana and discusses her role in advancing innovation and accessibility in education at Tulane University.
Universal Design for Learning and Special Education
Yunus Ofori discusses her interest and involvement in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and special education. She highlights the importance of personalized learning and creating instruction with accessibility in mind. She describes her efforts to promote awareness and support faculty through a UDL summer academy. Additionally, she emphasizes the role of technology, such as AI and text-to-speech software, in improving accessibility and enhancing student success.
Challenges and Progress in American Education
Yunus Ofori reflects on the decentralization of the American education system and the challenges it presents, particularly in the context of special education services. She also acknowledges the progress made in advancing accessibility and inclusive practices. Ofori emphasizes the importance of intentional learning and being open to evolving trends and technologies. She encourages educators to consider universal design principles, foster community connections, and embrace the diverse assets that every individual brings to the table.
Eunice Ofori has a unique background, hailing originally from Ghana where she was an educator for 20 years. She immigrated to the U.S. in 2011 when her husband began his PhD program, intrigued by the American education system and efforts to provide accommodations for students with disabilities. This was lacking in Ghana and a key motivator for Eunice. She went on to pursue her own PhD research on optimizing instructional messaging for mobile devices, examining it through both an accessibility lens and a learning lens.
Now at Tulane University, Eunice works to promote innovation and accessibility in education. As a Senior Instructional Designer and Faculty Program Coordinator, she created a Universal Design for Learning summer academy to increase faculty understanding of UDL principles and how to apply them in course design. She also sees potential for AI tools like ChatGPT to serve as assistive technologies, allowing flexible engagement with content whether via text, visuals or other modalities. While UDL has made strides in the U.S., these concepts are still not widely understood globally. Eunice notes the decentralized American education system allows for customization but also inconsistencies in qualifying for student services. She stresses the importance of continuing the conversation on accessibility, staying open to learning, and properly leveraging the technologies already available to better reach and support all learners.
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