In the Spirit Wood: Inclusive Digital Learning Resource
Here at Loughborough University, we are proud to be a legacy learning partner for Spirit of 2012, focusing on innovative uses of its evidence bank and creative communication tools to improve perceptions including self-perceptions of disability and impairment. Using early years education as a case study, the In the Spirit Wood: Inclusive Digital Learning Resource is a practical exploration of how storytelling and events can drive inclusive change.
Underpinning considerations and approach
The starting point of the digital learning resource was the Spirit of 2012 Theory of Change and belief that enabling people to participate in a wide range of activities and engaging in their communities will improve perceptions towards disability and impairment.
The creation of the In the Spirit Wood Digital Learning Resource was developed by:
- Establishing a Project Advisory Group
We brought together a group of community partners and industry experts in digital learning, inclusion, storytelling, and education. This group worked closely with the project team to review, challenge, and guide the development of the resource at key stages. - Synthesising Existing Evidence
We conducted a detailed synthesis of Spirit of 2012’s knowledge bank, drawing on insights and evidence from across their programme portfolio. This focused on how different initiatives aimed to deliver the Spirit of 2012’s impact goals related to disability and impairment. - Developing a Story-Based Interview Methodology
Using principles of digital storytelling, we designed an interview approach to capture individual ‘moments of change’—personal reflections and shifts in understanding around disability and impairment. - Exploring Educational Contexts
We examined a range of educational settings and chose to focus on early years education. This allowed us to test a ‘provotype’ – a prototype designed to provoke feedback – of the learning resource, exploring how storytelling can support inclusive change from the earliest stages of learning. - Co-Designing the Final Resource
Working collaboratively with the advisory group, animation specialists, and drawing on the evidence synthesis, we co-designed a set of animations and activity packs. These elements form the In the Spirit Wood Digital Learning Resource.
The first set of stories are now online here, please take a look and give us some feedback!
Where to next?
Want to know more, gain practical insights, and ways to be part of the next phase of the project, then get in contact with the project lead Verity Postlethwaite via email v.a.postlethwaite@lboro.ac.uk
That’s my work email! Reach out…
VPos
veritypostlethwaite.com 