Prioritizing unheard voices and perspectives

Classes can easily fall into a routine where the same students talk again and again, yielding an unequal distribution of airtime. Part of this is out of the instructor’s control: some students, whether because of their interests or backgrounds, feel much more comfortable and motivated to openly share their opinions than others. In this video, Gretchen Brion-Meisels reflects on the need to balance these louder voices with voices and perspectives that might otherwise go unheard. This includes giving more space and time for students who rarely volunteer to speak; students who offer experiences or perspectives that are underrepresented within the institution and our broader world; and students who share concerns that are different to those of the dominant culture of the class. Brion-Meisels emphasizes that this way of thinking about airtime amplifies the diversity and equity of perspectives in the room. It also stimulates discussions about diversity and equity as it relates to class content.