Affiliated Institution/Organization(s): Joliet Junior College, Tutoring and Learning Center
Session Format: Poster
Session Tracks:
AEA – Accessibility, Equity & Access
SS – Student Success
Session Description
This poster session will outline the barriers faced by neurodivergent students in online environments. Moving beyond Universal Design, the presentation will offer an understanding of the neurodiverse brain grounded in scientific research. Then, that understanding will be used to develop concrete scaffolding and support strategies that will help these students successfully navigate virtual academic spaces.
Learning Objectives
- Attendees will be able to recognize and understand the major barriers to learning that neurodiverse students face in online courses.
- Participants will be able to apply scaffolding strategies, such as chunking content, to their online courses and interactions.
- Participants will be able to effectively normalize help-seeking within their online courses.
Session Facilitator(s)
- Jennifer Nawara
Bio(s)
Jennifer Nawara earned a B. A. from Ball State University in 2006 and an M. A. in English from Ohio State University in 2008. She is currently a Lead Tutor at Joliet Junior College’s Tutoring and Learning Center. Previously, she worked in tutoring centers at both of her alma maters and served as an instructor for both Georgia Military College and Ohio State University. Currently, her research focuses on improving academic support and interventions for neurodiverse students. Her passion is contributing to an inclusive academic environment, whether in-person or online.