School of Education alumna Yenda Prado authors groundbreaking book on inclusive education
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By Carol Jean Tomoguchi-Perez
April 9, 2024 In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the insights and innovations of experts are pivotal in shaping inclusive learning environments that cater to the needs of all students. Among these experts is Yenda Prado '22 who has recently co-authored a book that covers the field of inclusive education. The book, Voices on the Margins: Inclusive Education at the Intersection of Language, Literacy, and Technology, is set to be published by MIT Press on May 14, 2024, and marks a significant milestone in Prado's career as an educator, researcher, and advocate for inclusive learning practices. Prado's journey to this achievement is illustrative of her commitment to education. A Spanish-speaking, Mexican-origin immigrant, Prado has navigated the challenges of being an English learner and a child with a disability to achieve notable academic success. Her educational path took her from Stanford to Harvard and ultimately to UC Irvine, where she pursued and completed her Ph.D. with the support of the Orange County Educational Advancement Network (OCEAN) and the UC Irvine Digital Learning Lab. Her dissertation on an inclusive education program at one of UC Irvine's partner schools has not only contributed to academic discourse but has also paved the way for her upcoming book. |
Yenda Prado
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Voices on the Margins is an exploration of how digital technologies can empower students with disabilities, especially those from underrepresented communities, to find their voice and place within the K-12 education system. Co-authored with Professor Mark Warschauer, an expert in the field of education and informatics at UC Irvine, the book draws on theoretical analysis, a review of extant literatures, and the authors’ ethnographic case study research in a remarkably diverse full-inclusion school in the western United States, drawing on data both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the school building and necessitated emergency distance learning.
“Voices on the Margins is a juxtaposition of innately dissimilar ideas," Prado said. "Voice is a powerful symbol for democracy, inclusion, and full participation in society. Voice offers a platform for sharing our perspectives and talents with the world. In contrast, to be on the margins means to be excluded to the fringes of society. This book is about what happens when structural barriers are removed, and inclusive infrastructures are put in place, so that voices that might normally be marginalized are empowered to shine through.”
The book's innovative approach, focusing on the intersection of language, literacy, and technology, extends beyond traditional research by centering on the experiences of a culturally and linguistically diverse group of teachers, staff, parents, and children, offering insights into the transformative potential of digital technologies in creating more inclusive learning environments.
"It was such a pleasure co-authoring this book with Yenda," said Warschauer. "The close relationships she developed with teachers, students, and parents, combined with her thoughtful analyses, yielded rich insights into the intersection of technology use and literacy development among diverse learners."
Voices on the Margins is poised to engage a wide audience, from academic researchers and teachers to policymakers and advocates working towards the implementation and evaluation of inclusive programming in K-12 schools. Its accessible and public-facing language ensures that its findings and proposals will resonate not only in the United States but also internationally, aiding in the global push for educational inclusivity.
Prado continues to contribute to the field of technology-enabled inclusive education through her research and writing as an education researcher and advisor for organizations including the U.S. Department of Education, PBS KIDS, and Digital Promise. Warschauer, as the director of the Digital Learning Lab, remains at the forefront of developing digital tools and environments to support a diverse range of learners.
“Voices on the Margins is a juxtaposition of innately dissimilar ideas," Prado said. "Voice is a powerful symbol for democracy, inclusion, and full participation in society. Voice offers a platform for sharing our perspectives and talents with the world. In contrast, to be on the margins means to be excluded to the fringes of society. This book is about what happens when structural barriers are removed, and inclusive infrastructures are put in place, so that voices that might normally be marginalized are empowered to shine through.”
The book's innovative approach, focusing on the intersection of language, literacy, and technology, extends beyond traditional research by centering on the experiences of a culturally and linguistically diverse group of teachers, staff, parents, and children, offering insights into the transformative potential of digital technologies in creating more inclusive learning environments.
"It was such a pleasure co-authoring this book with Yenda," said Warschauer. "The close relationships she developed with teachers, students, and parents, combined with her thoughtful analyses, yielded rich insights into the intersection of technology use and literacy development among diverse learners."
Voices on the Margins is poised to engage a wide audience, from academic researchers and teachers to policymakers and advocates working towards the implementation and evaluation of inclusive programming in K-12 schools. Its accessible and public-facing language ensures that its findings and proposals will resonate not only in the United States but also internationally, aiding in the global push for educational inclusivity.
Prado continues to contribute to the field of technology-enabled inclusive education through her research and writing as an education researcher and advisor for organizations including the U.S. Department of Education, PBS KIDS, and Digital Promise. Warschauer, as the director of the Digital Learning Lab, remains at the forefront of developing digital tools and environments to support a diverse range of learners.
