Ways to highlight participation and celebrate diversity - example activities
This section of the guidance highlights participation and how to celebrate the diversity of the cohort and course team. The move to digital naturally increases the accessibility of materials and promotes inclusivity, but carries with it the risk of reinforcing the digital divide. Take some basic steps to support and include all students equally. For example, at the start of each face-to-face session remind the group of who is unable to come to campus by name, and take time to welcome any new students for whom this may be their first week on campus. Again, building strong group foundations will assist with creating an inclusive learning environment. You may also wish to survey your students about how they will be accessing digital material (smartphone, laptop, etc.) and how often they will have access to the internet for study, as this may vary. Creating accessible content is key – find out if your Moodle pages are accessible. Use Blackboard Ally to ensure this.
Be inclusive through accessible digital content
Accessible content supports an equal and inclusive environment.
A page on our site Preparing for Teaching in a Blended Learning Context outlines some small steps you can take to ensure the materials you provide are accessible for all students.
Enhance communication skills for team work
Encourage and normalise positive language between students to promote empathy and minimise unintentional marginalisation.
Share this video with your students and talk to them about their experiences of giving or receiving microaggressions in person and online.
Understand advantage and disadvantage with a Line of Privilege activity
Provide opportunities for students to get to know each other formally and informally.
Students may be unaware of societal inequalities generally, and how our thinking and assumptions can unintentionally contribute to inequality. Social GGRRAAACCEEESSS can support them to identify their individual levels of power and privilege based on numerous social identities (age, gender, education, appearance, race, etc). Try exercise one ( ‘Line of Privilege’) to get students to reflect upon their own power, privilege and disadvantage, and equally empathise with the social identities of their peers.
Review your curriculum to promote inclusivity
An inclusive curriculum has contents that cover multiple perspectives, theoretical standpoints, and contributions from multiple cultures and backgrounds. Inclusive content facilitates the exploration of themes of equality, diversion, inclusivity, and cultural relativity.
Use this toolkit to review your curriculum and guide you towards enhancements that promote inclusivity and social justice.