Neurodiversity VR Experience

Neurodivergent students have distinct, often overlooked learning needs. Notre Dame Learning’s Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence and Office of Digital Learning have created a data-informed, immersive virtual reality (VR) experience for instructors to heighten their understanding of challenges neurodivergent learners face in a college classroom. Engaging with the video also provides opportunities for instructors to develop their capacity to apply evidence-based pedagogical practices in support of neurodivergent—and by extension, all—students.

Please note: Workshop participants typically wear provided headsets to complete the approximately 13-minute VR experience before moving into discussion and activities with the facilitators and each other. However, if taking part in the headset portion of the workshop is not a good fit for members of your group, other means of engaging with the content can be provided.

Learning Goals

After successfully completing this workshop you will be able to:

• Define neurodiversity and discuss common examples of neurodivergence experienced by ND students, highlighting unique learning strengths and challenges
• Discuss common barriers neurodivergent students face
• Explain the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and identify strategies to support neurodivergent learners
• Reflect upon your approach to teaching and learning and identify areas for growth to further support neurodivergent learners
• Develop an action plan for implementing UDL principles and strategies in your own classroom contexts to support neurodivergent learners