As post-secondary classrooms become increasingly diverse, instructors must ensure that their practices work effectively for all students in the room. In inclusive classrooms, students from all backgrounds feel welcomed and valued, particularly those students whose race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, nationality, or perceived ability might have led them to feel excluded in other classrooms. In equitable classrooms, all students experience a curriculum that feels relevant and engaging to them, and students are able achieve their academic goals with support from their instructor.
This call to create inclusive and equitable classrooms raises a number of questions. How can we build connections with students both at the beginning of and throughout a course? What restrictive hierarchies might exist in post-secondary classrooms, and what can be done to disrupt them? How can we invite all students into the classroom conversation? Which materials and activities invite all learners to share their knowledge and learn from their peers? In this module, we’ll get some answers to these questions as we examine pedagogical techniques that help students feel welcomed, valued, and supported.
