TINEL

Towards Inclusive eLearning: Improving Accessibility of eLearning in Higher Education from Universal Design for Learning perspective (TINEL) is an Erasmus+ funded project, coordinated by Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK).

The ambition of the TINEL Project (Towards Inclusive eLearning: Improving Accessibility of eLearning in Higher Education from Universal Design for Learning perspective) is to contribute to a shift from the notion of accessibility for separate – so called vulnerable or disadvantaged groups – to an inclusive mindset based on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) thinking. Furthermore, the project has a triple focus on improving inclusive eLearning from a UDL perspective, hence the term Universal Design for eLearning or UDeL. Firstly, the aim is to enhance access, active participation, and learning performance of disadvantaged HEI students. Secondly, the aim is to support the professional development of educators in their pedagogical and technological skills so they will be able to improve the accessibility of eLearning. Thirdly, to contribute to a greater understanding and responsiveness to social, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity amongst students.

The overall aim of the project is to improve inclusive eLearning from a UDL perspective. The project objectives are:

1. to map and explore inclusive practices of eLearning and implementation aspects of UDL approach in HEIs

2. to develop an evaluation tool and a training model for improving eLearning accessibility from UDL perspective

3. to develop pedagogical and technological skills of staff for improving inclusive eLearning from UDL perspective.

During this Erasmus+ project there have been four UDeL Camps. The purpose of the UDeL Camps has been to develop a training model and learning material for teachers in higher education. The material is developed iteratively and tested throughout four UDL Camps.