Tools for Engagement

Tools for engagement is a term used by scholars pursing an enquiry into teaching and learning.  The discourse for engaging learners has been enriched by the principles of Universal Instructional Design which has as its basic tenets the provision of equitable access to course instruction and materials.  Arising from architectural design and theory, its central metaphor is the sidewalk curb-cut that provides pedestrian access for those in wheelchairs.  Scholars involved in teaching and learning have extended this initial concept, their concerns for equity initially focussed on ability and ethnicity of individual learners. 

Good teaching, however, has always recognized the individuality of the learner and differing learning preferences, and uses a variety of methods to engage them.  Universal Instructional Design, for many of you, may not seem to be a new concept; it has been used by good teachers for decades.  It does, however, offer new and novel ideas particularly with respect to the integration of technology into teaching and the recent scholarship of equitable teaching.

The following pages offer pedagogical strategies from Trent faculty as well as background on instructional design and links to scholarly articles.

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