WEBVTT 00:00:02.500 --> 00:00:03.540 [MUSIC PLAYING] 00:00:03.540 --> 00:00:05.000 Virtual Access to Informal STEM Learning. 00:00:06.725 --> 00:00:08.510 Informal learning, the practice 00:00:08.510 --> 00:00:11.210 of learning outside traditional academic settings, 00:00:11.210 --> 00:00:14.810 has often been restricted to in-person experiences 00:00:14.810 --> 00:00:18.980 at institutions, like museums and community centers. 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:21.830 In the last decade, informal learning institutions 00:00:21.830 --> 00:00:23.600 have greatly expanded their programming 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:26.360 to include virtual content. 00:00:26.360 --> 00:00:28.650 Virtual programming has many benefits, 00:00:28.650 --> 00:00:33.110 including increasing access for individuals with disabilities. 00:00:33.110 --> 00:00:37.010 In this video, interns from the NSF-funded Access 00:00:37.010 --> 00:00:40.850 to Informal STEM Learning or AccessISL project 00:00:40.850 --> 00:00:43.100 explore how virtual programming can 00:00:43.100 --> 00:00:45.710 be used in informal STEM learning programs 00:00:45.710 --> 00:00:47.000 and institutions. 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:50.000 Due to the current pandemic, 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:52.670 virtual programming has become widespread by necessity 00:00:52.670 --> 00:00:55.640 as many people are working and learning from home. 00:00:55.640 --> 00:00:57.050 Virtual spaces present and create 00:00:57.050 --> 00:00:59.270 opportunities for engaging with different modes 00:00:59.270 --> 00:01:01.200 of communication and interaction, 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:04.519 which can accommodate people of different access needs. 00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:06.710 Informal STEM programs would benefit 00:01:06.710 --> 00:01:08.450 from taking a wide range of needs 00:01:08.450 --> 00:01:11.930 into account, starting from the very beginning of the program 00:01:11.930 --> 00:01:13.000 design process. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:15.750 Virtual spaces avoid some 00:01:15.750 --> 00:01:18.240 of the infrastructural and societal barriers 00:01:18.240 --> 00:01:20.100 that hamper traditional programs, 00:01:20.100 --> 00:01:22.710 such as transportation as people can participate 00:01:22.710 --> 00:01:24.030 from their own home. 00:01:24.030 --> 00:01:26.820 Individuals who are experiencing severe immune challenges 00:01:26.820 --> 00:01:29.700 can also participate with less fear as contact with others 00:01:29.700 --> 00:01:31.050 is reduced. 00:01:31.050 --> 00:01:33.330 Finally, individuals who may not be 00:01:33.330 --> 00:01:36.360 able to access the program in the limited social confines 00:01:36.360 --> 00:01:38.552 of traditional hosting spaces can instead 00:01:38.552 --> 00:01:40.260 participate from comfortable environments 00:01:40.260 --> 00:01:42.900 with a variety of tools, supports, and regulation 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:43.760 strategies available. 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:46.560 When creating virtual programming, 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:48.750 it is important to consider how participants 00:01:48.750 --> 00:01:51.570 will be able to access the program asynchronously. 00:01:51.570 --> 00:01:53.340 Recording the programming and hosting it 00:01:53.340 --> 00:01:54.960 on your website or YouTube channel 00:01:54.960 --> 00:01:58.080 enables more people to engage in the program at their own pace, 00:01:58.080 --> 00:02:01.260 in their own time zone, or when it is convenient for them. 00:02:01.260 --> 00:02:03.930 Most virtual meet-up programs have a record function, 00:02:03.930 --> 00:02:07.000 including Zoom, making it easy to upload program content. 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:10.169 Virtual offerings provide great opportunities 00:02:10.169 --> 00:02:13.620 for accessibility tools, like alternative communication, 00:02:13.620 --> 00:02:15.780 note-taking, and captions. 00:02:15.780 --> 00:02:18.030 For example, integrated chat features 00:02:18.030 --> 00:02:21.390 allows non-speaking participants more equitable 00:02:21.390 --> 00:02:23.370 access to communication. 00:02:23.370 --> 00:02:26.460 And applications, such as Zoom and Google Meets, 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:30.000 are increasingly offering automated live captions. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:33.480 While the recommendations described in this video 00:02:33.480 --> 00:02:36.030 provide a starting point for building accessible virtual 00:02:36.030 --> 00:02:38.880 programming, meaningful accessibility is more than 00:02:38.880 --> 00:02:40.000 the sum of its parts. 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:43.530 ISL practitioners must consider the accessibility of their work 00:02:43.530 --> 00:02:45.480 at all levels of program design in order 00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:48.000 to build meaningful experiences. 00:02:48.570 --> 00:02:50.730 To learn more about accessible and inclusive 00:02:50.730 --> 00:02:54.900 informal STEM learning, visit the AccessISL website, 00:02:54.900 --> 00:03:02.850 at uw.edu/doit/programs/accessisl 00:03:02.850 --> 00:03:06.660 AccessISL is funded by the National Science Foundation, 00:03:06.660 --> 00:03:12.000 grant number DRL-1906147. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:15.480 Any questions findings and conclusions or recommendations 00:03:15.480 --> 00:03:18.360 expressed in this material are those of the authors 00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:20.550 and do not necessarily reflect the views 00:03:20.550 --> 00:03:22.110 of the federal government. 00:03:22.110 --> 00:03:24.330 Copyright 2022. 00:03:24.330 --> 00:03:26.880 Permission is granted to copy these materials 00:03:26.880 --> 00:03:29.760 for educational non-commercial purposes 00:03:29.760 --> 00:03:32.220 provided the source is acknowledged. 00:03:32.220 --> 00:03:35.570 [MUSIC FADING]