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Enhancing Engagement in a Neurodiverse Virtual or Hybrid Classroom

Picture of Claire Collins Claire Collins : Jul 22, 2024 8:00:00 AM

Blended Learning Learner Engagement Hybrid Work and Hybrid Learning Trends

Enhancing Engagement in a Neurodiverse Virtual or Hybrid Classroom

5 recommendations to ensure inclusion and engagement for neurodivergent learners in the Virtual Classroom and what Virtual Learning Experts™ Need to Know

We know it is important to include everyone, no matter where they’re joining from in a hybrid learning environment, but how do we ensure we’re being neuro-inclusive? How often do you think about neurodiversity within your learner groups? Everyone is unique and everyone processes information differently; therefore, we must consider the options to give all learners a truly engaging experience.

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What Do We Mean by Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term that encompasses the full spectrum of neurological processing. It is generally divided into two categories: "Neurotypical," referring to individuals who think, perceive, and behave in ways considered typical by the general population, and "Neurodivergent," which includes a range of neurological conditions such as Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and many more. Globally, it is estimated that 15 to 20% of the population is neurodivergent.

Understanding neurodiversity is crucial in creating inclusive environments, particularly in educational and professional settings. Recognizing and valuing the different ways people process information and interact with the world can lead to more effective communication, enhanced collaboration, and a more supportive atmosphere for everyone. By embracing neurodiversity, we can foster environments where all individuals feel valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

As awareness grows and discussions about neurodiversity become more prevalent, an increasing number of individuals are receiving diagnoses. However, much of the research in this area has historically focused on childhood diagnoses, leaving many neurodivergent individuals without official recognition into adulthood. As a result, your learner groups will likely include a diverse range of neurodiverse learners, each absorbing and processing information differently. Therefore, it's essential to customize training programs to accommodate the varied needs.

What Impact Does Neuroinclusion Have on Learner Engagement?

Environmental

Having a safe and well-structured environment will boost engagement when working in a hybrid environment. An example is being flexible with cameras and seating arrangements or ensuring any assistive technology is compatible and working throughout your session. Having technical producer support in all sessions is hugely beneficial to assist with the technology. A producer can also act as a learner advocate, identifying opportunities to be more inclusive and making suggestions to the instructional team to ensure all learners are able to participate fully. Furthermore, consider incorporating multiple modes of instruction to cater to different populations, such as visual aids, interactive activities, and written materials. Regularly solicit feedback from learners to understand their needs and make necessary adjustments. By fostering an inclusive and adaptive learning environment, you can create a more engaging and supportive experience for all participants.

Emotional

Clarity on session expectations is essential for fostering a neuro-inclusive learning environment. Clearly defined objectives and instructions provide learners with a structured framework, enhancing their ability to engage and succeed.

Begin by facilitating introductions to get to know your learners and establishing a welcoming atmosphere. Set the tone for a safe and inclusive space by explaining how learners can ask questions at any time. This openness encourages active participation and ensures everyone feels valued.

Incorporate breaks into your schedule and inform learners in advance when these breaks will occur. Even providing a rough estimate can be reassuring, as it allows learners to anticipate and plan for downtime, helping them stay focused and engaged. Regularly check in with learners to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments. By creating a structured, inclusive, and flexible learning environment, you can ensure that all learners feel supported and engaged.

Intellectual

By offering alternatives such as simple written instructions for activities, and where possible visual or auditory alternatives, learners can take their time to absorb the learning. A bulleted step-by-step guide for breakout activities is particularly useful. Importantly, ensure that instructions remain accessible once learners are in the breakout rooms. Adding instructions to the chat or sharing slides with breakout groups helps everyone stay aligned with the agenda.

In addition to offering alternatives and clear instructions, creating a learner hub with participant materials can significantly enhance the learning experience. This centralized resource allows learners to access supplementary materials, review key concepts, and further engage with the content at their own pace.

Providing time for reflection is essential for deepening understanding and promoting retention of information. Encourage learners to pause and reflect, explaining that silence is provided to give them space to digest what they have learned. This intentional pause fosters a supportive environment where learners can process information and connect it to their own experiences, enhancing their overall learning journey.

5 Recommendations for Enhancing Engagement in a Neurodiverse Classroom

Designing virtual training for neurodiverse learners requires a thoughtful approach that accommodates diverse cognitive and learning needs. Effective virtual training programs should incorporate flexibility in content delivery, allowing learners to engage with material at their own pace. Multimedia resources, such as videos, interactive simulations, and visual aids, can help make information more accessible.

It's essential to create an inclusive environment by using tools that allow for customization, such as adjustable font sizes and background colors, and ensuring that content is accessible to those with sensory sensitivities. Lastly, fostering a supportive online community where learners can connect, share experiences, and receive encouragement can enhance engagement and motivation.

Here Are 5 Quick Tips to Enhance Engagement in a Neurodiverse Classroom:

Prioritize Engagement from the Beginning. Check in with your learners before the session and invite participants to share any specific needs they have to fully engage with the learning experience. After all, individuals are the experts on their own learning requirements, and their insights are invaluable for crafting an inclusive and effective learning environment.
Avoid Assumptions. Recognize that what works well for one learner may not necessarily be effective for another. It's crucial to acknowledge and appreciate the diversity among learners, as everyone brings their own unique strengths, preferences, and challenges to the learning process.
Be Flexible. Consider various ways to accommodate individual preferences and needs, such as optimizing camera usage and adjusting seating arrangements. Respect that some learners may prefer to keep their cameras off or choose seating positions that best suit their comfort and concentration levels, even if it means sitting toward the back of the room. Flexibility in these aspects promotes a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all participants.
Do Research. Tap into the wealth of knowledge available on neurodiversity by exploring websites or social media platforms authored by neurodivergent individuals themselves. These firsthand accounts offer valuable insights and perspectives that can deepen your understanding and inform your approach to creating inclusive learning environments.
Provide Clear Instructions. Ensure clarity in your instructions by offering concise guidance and examples to support understanding. Instead of simply asking, "Does anyone have an example?" encourage deeper engagement by prompting participants with questions like, "Can anyone relate the topic we've covered to a real-life example? What specific observations, experiences, or actions can you share?" This approach encourages thoughtful reflection and enhances active participation in the learning process.

How Can a Facilitator Help Neurodiverse Students in the Moment—Even Without Recognizing that Someone is Neurodiverse?

Facilitators can support neurodiverse students during virtual training sessions by employing inclusive and adaptable teaching strategies that benefit all learners. Here are some approaches:

Use Multiple Modalities: Present information through various formats such as text, audio, video, and visual aids. This accommodates different learning preferences and helps ensure comprehension.

Encourage Interaction: Use interactive tools like polls, quizzes, and breakout rooms to keep students engaged and allow them to participate in different ways. This can help students who may struggle with traditional lecture formats.
Allow Flexibility: Offer flexible deadlines and multiple ways to complete assignments. This can help students manage their time and reduce stress, accommodating those who may need more time to process information.
Regular Check-ins: Conduct frequent check-ins to gauge understanding and provide opportunities for students to ask questions. This can be done through private messages, office hours, or brief surveys.
Create a Supportive Environment: Foster an inclusive atmosphere where students feel safe to express their needs. Encouraging respect and understanding among peers can help all students feel more comfortable.
Provide Resources: Share additional resources and tools that students can use independently, such as study guides, recorded sessions, and supplementary materials. This helps students who may need extra time to review and understand the content.
Use Positive Reinforcement: Recognize and celebrate progress and effort, not just correct answers. This can boost confidence and motivation for all students.

By implementing these strategies, facilitators can create a more inclusive and supportive virtual learning environment that accommodates the diverse needs of all students, including those who may be neurodiverse.

What Do Virtual Learning Experts™ Need to Know about Neuroinclusion in the Virtual /Hybrid Classroom?

Virtual classroom designers need to have an awareness so that they can ensure all instructions are included and that there is a variety of activities to suit the variety of learners. Designers need to ensure all learner materials are accessible (screen readers, captions on videos, etc).
Virtual classroom facilitators need to know how to make adjustments in the moment if required. They need to remember to ask about any needs learners have. They need to know the importance of giving clear instructions and sticking to break times and agendas.
Virtual classroom producers need to know how to support any technology and recognize when and how to act as a learner advocate. They need to know their platform and be ready to suggest alternatives to the facilitator so that all learners can fully participate.
Virtual Learning Leaders need to know where to turn to for help and how to support their teams to ensure all learners and all team members are included.

Use Case Example—Global Technology Firm

A global tech firm offers a virtual professional development program for its employees to enhance their project management skills. The program includes a diverse group of adult learners, some of whom are neurodiverse, though not all are formally diagnosed or disclosed.

The facilitator first identified the challenges. Some learners may have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or other neurodiverse conditions that affect their learning preferences and needs. Keeping adult learners engaged and motivated in a virtual setting can be challenging, especially for those struggling with attention or sensory sensitivities. The facilitator must ensure that all content is accessible and understandable to a diverse audience.

The facilitator used clear and structured content delivery, breaking down each module into smaller, manageable sections with clear objectives. She provided detailed written instructions alongside video explanations to cater to different learning preferences. Course materials also included videos with subtitles, audio recordings, infographics, text documents, and interactive elements such as quizzes, polls, and simulations, all integrated to engage learners actively.

All sessions were recorded to allow learners to review content at their own pace. Deadlines for assignments were flexible, with options for extensions to accommodate those who may need more time. Regular check-ins and feedback were provided through automated quizzes and peer reviews, with additional personalized feedback from the facilitator.

A discussion forum was set up for learners to share experiences, ask questions, and support each other.

The facilitator planned group activities and breakout sessions to encourage peer collaboration and networking. To enhance accessibility, tools for adjusting text size, background color, and audio speed in the online platform were provided.

As a result, all learners felt engaged and motivated. Understanding and retention were high, as clear instructions and multimodal resources helped all learners grasp complex concepts more effectively. The group experienced improved accessibility with customizable tools and flexible deadlines, ensuring that neurodiverse learners could participate fully without feeling overwhelmed. Overall, the training successfully built a supportive community, and regular feedback fostered a sense of belonging and confidence among learners. The organizational goals were also achieved, resulting in a clear ROI and ROEI (return on employee investment) for the company.

There’s More to Learn!

New research into neurodiversity is constantly taking place, leading to better understanding and enhanced learning outcomes for adults and children alike. A 2024 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that neurotypical and neurodivergent learners experience similar challenges, albeit to differing degrees of intensity.

One area that was as a challenge for both neurotypical and neurodivergent learners was focusing their attention. Facilitators could positively or negatively impact cognitive load in online learning depending on the study environment, the flexibility of the online course, information access, and levels of stress and motivation. Learners used various strategies to manage their cognitive load in online learning, such as pausing or replaying the recording, planning their study time, seeking additional resources outside of the core material, and taking breaks.

Taking breaks was particularly important for neurodivergent learners, who felt overwhelmed by long online lectures. Notably, taking notes was only mentioned by neurotypical learners as a way to manage their cognitive load in online learning. Overall, the results suggested that neurotypical and neurodivergent learners face similar challenges with regard to cognitive load in online learning but at varying levels of intensity. As noted earlier, inclusive design practices may benefit all students.

Organizations are increasingly embracing neurodivergent employees and finding that neurodiverse groups are better at creative and unconventional thinking and pattern recognition and have stronger observational skills. Adapting the workplace and workplace training to suit their needs isn't just a nice thing to do—it's a smart business decision.

Remember, there is a wealth of valuable information available on neurodiversity. Consider following real neurodivergent individuals on social media to gain insights and perspectives directly from their experiences. Engaging with their stories and perspectives can deepen your understanding of neurodiversity and cultivate greater empathy and inclusivity in your interactions and practices.