Inclusive online teaching is regarded as the range of activities and strategies which profoundly involve the diversification of a group in areas that boost awareness, emphatic comprehension of the crucial areas, cognitive sophistication, and content knowledge that learners interact with within the institutions and systems. There are different pros and cons of online learning but it helps in boosting classroom diversity since many students from different cultures, races, gender, educational background, and socio-economic status collaborate in online learning which enables teachers in incorporating diversity and equity in education (Guterman, 2021). In online class learning, there is an opportunity to ask “I need someone to take my online class”. Let’s explore different strategies that can be adopted by teachers in supporting diversity and equity.
Strategies for Supporting Diversity and Equity
Multicultural Curriculum through Multimedia
For boosting online diversity and inclusion training, teachers need to design inclusive learning by giving exposure that helps in the incorporation of prior experiences into learning as well as cultural identities (Farinde-Wu, Glover, and Williams, 2017). In addition to this, lectures linked to diversity must be added to the course modules and not only incorporated in one or two modules but must be common in all modules. Moreover, the utilization of texts, videos, graphical representation, and audio that are racially diverse needs to be incorporated in the lecture slides, and in course posters. The use of different tools and visuals by adding cultural aspects motivate students to thrive for “I need someone to take my online class” which in turn enable students to explore culturally diverse curriculum.
Identifying Human Biases and Use of Emotional Intelligence
For good online diversity training, teachers need to refine their activities in the online classroom and visualize themselves as collaborative major for their students. Being collaborative throughout the course enables students to be more diverse in their learning and helps in enhancing a favorable impact on learners’ outcomes. Involving in activities like; identifying the major triggers, broadening cultural space, and recognizing the cultural frame of reference are regarded as some of the activities that help teachers in reflective on their role as well as improve diversity and equity in education. Emotional intelligence can be utilized as a strategy that assists teachers in building their relationships with learners by using good judgment, self-awareness, and empathy.
Establish Clear Expectations
Establishing specific goals for respectful conduct at the beginning of the course can create a learning environment and needs to consider online diversity and inclusion training (Rodriguez and Morrison, 2019). Creating a setting that promotes inclusivity and treating all pupils with equal regard is extremely significant. Creating an environment where each pupil feels important and recognized is crucial. By online diversity training, we can make certain that every person can flourish and achieve their maximum capability. We should prioritize the development of a culture that promotes inclusiveness and kindness within our educational institutions.
Promote Active Participation
The duty of teachers is to guarantee that each pupil is completely involved in their educational encounter, according to Garbe et al. (2020). One way that works well to accomplish this is by engaging in conversations and activities that are meaningful and that push and motivate them. By creating a setting in the classroom that promotes involvement, people can inspire the pupils to assume responsibility for their learning and develop a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime.
- Foster a Sense of Belonging
Feel a feeling of being included and encourage significant relationships with other pupils by participating in our intentionally designed chances for interacting and constructing a community. Come and be a part of the community where you can interact with people who share similar interests, participate in group projects together, and establish enduring connections that will enhance your educational experience. Make sure you don’t overlook the opportunity to join the lively group and form experiences that will endure forever.
Accommodate different Learning Styles
The core of successful education is the recognition that each pupil has individual learning methods and likings. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge and address these variations to offer the most excellent education opportunity for every person. By recognizing and accepting differences in education, there exist numerous educational settings that are inclusive and successful in enabling every student to achieve their maximum capabilities. Attract individuals with various learning styles by providing a broad selection of methods for delivering content.
Address Accessibility Needs
To promote fairness and diversity in internet-based learning, it is crucial to give importance to making it accessible, as stated by AlMeraj et al. (2021). Make sure that disabled students are given the same opportunities by being proactive in addressing their accessibility requirements. Make sure that your content can be used by everyone by including things like captions for videos, alternative text for images, and support for screen readers and other assistive technologies. Also, give importance to accessibility while creating educational materials. Ensure that your online class is accessible to all so that you can unlock the full potential of your students. Encourage a setting for education that enables each person to participate and make their maximum contribution.
Embrace Cultural Sensitivity
To create a welcoming online class that respects and appreciates differences, it is crucial to give importance to understanding different cultures. Be mindful of cultural differences and avoid assuming anything about the students’ backgrounds. Enable your students to reach their maximum potential by offering them multiple opportunities to express their unique experiences and thoughts. Motivate individuals to incorporate their comprehension of various cultures into educational sessions and assignments, cultivating a classroom atmosphere that is abundant and varied. Establish an environment for learning that is constantly changing and encourages pupils to acquire valuable knowledge from the unique backgrounds of their peers and develop their abilities to interact with people from different cultures.
Provide Timely and Constructive Feedback
To promote inclusivity and fairness in online courses, it is essential to provide timely and useful feedback. Get personalized development services with our customized feedback that is specifically designed to meet your requirements. Our approach, which is tailored to your needs and focused on you, will assist you in attaining your objectives. Mark the unique characteristics of each student’s teamwork and provide helpful criticism to aid progress and advancement. Make sure that the feedback you give is thoughtful towards students who come from different backgrounds and encourages a welcoming and all-encompassing atmosphere for learning. Creating individualized feedback for every student helps to develop a welcoming learning environment that supports their growth and improvement.
Engage in Ongoing Professional Development
To create and maintain a comprehensive online learning environment, it is crucial to invest in ongoing professional development. Explore the most recent and best practices regarding diversity, fairness, and inclusivity in education through our wide range of workshops, online broadcasts, gatherings, and classes designed for experts. Remain informed and current on the most recent trends and methods to guarantee that your educational organization is fair and impartial for everyone. Improve your teaching skills by regularly thinking about your methods and being open to useful comments from your pupils. Realize the full capabilities of your teaching by accepting and adopting a mindset focused on personal development and improvement. By continuously increasing your understanding and adjusting to fresh methods, you can create a learning environment that is inclusive and impartial to every pupil.
Ensuring that virtual courses are all-encompassing is crucial to encourage variety and impartiality. By establishing clear expectations, using diverse resources, and promoting active participation, students’ learning is valued and integrated. Promoting a sense of belonging through arranging gatherings that unite individuals and accommodating diverse learning styles ensures that all students can effectively engage.
Ensuring accessibility needs are met and acknowledging cultural sensitivity are essential in creating an inclusive learning atmosphere that encompasses all individuals. Providing feedback that is prompt and beneficial, engaging in ongoing professional development, and requesting feedback from learners all contribute to establishing an equitable online course. By using these methods, educators can maintain different viewpoints, promote impartiality, and create a positive and hospitable learning atmosphere that advantages all students.
References
AlMeraj, Z., Boujarwah, F., Alhuwail, D. and Qadri, R., 2021. Evaluating the accessibility of higher education institution websites in the State of Kuwait: empirical evidence. Universal Access in the Information Society, 20(1), pp.121-138.
Farinde-Wu, A., Glover, C.P. and Williams, N.N. 2017. It’s Not Hard Work; It’s Heart Work: Strategies of Effective, Award-Winning Culturally Responsive Teachers. The Urban Review, 49(2), pp.279–299.
Garbe, A., Ogurlu, U., Logan, N. and Cook, P., 2020. COVID-19 and remote learning: Experiences of parents with children during the pandemic. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 4(3), pp.45-65.
Guterman, L. 2021. Inclusiveness of Online Education: Problems and Prospects. XIV International Scientific Conference ‘INTERAGROMASH 2021’, pp.365–373.
Rodriguez, A.J. and Morrison, D., 2019. Expanding and enacting transformative meanings of equity, diversity, and social justice in science education. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 14, pp.265-281.