Class/LMS Design
The Syllabus
How it affects equity: "In many ways the syllabus conveys so much more than rules and course expectations and as such, serves a larger purpose that can shape the students’ academic experiences and foster their success. . . . with well-crafted syllabi, faculty design learning experiences that positively shape and alter how students perceive their instructors and seek assistance for academic challenges." (Maxine T. Roberts, Center for Urban Education)
Resources: USC Syllabus Review Guide
Syllabus Review.pdfMaking Your Class and Syllabus More Equitable: Diablo Valley
Using Google Sites to Create Equity Syllabus
University of Texas Documents: Sample Syllabus with inclusivity statements/pronouns/safety AND Syllabus Checklist which might provide ideas:
UT Syllabus Checklist.pdfUT Sample Syllabus with Inclusivity Statement and Other Interesting Ideas.pdfCourse Design Concepts
Administer Pre-Course Surveys, asking questions like: Is this your first time taking a course online? What concerns do you have about taking the course? How are you accessing the course? How can I best facilitate your learning?
Link to a Pre-semester Survey: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PUEZQqUXgUZ7ARmSoxkdUrP-SseBgawX/view?usp=sharing
Pre-Course Survey: Example Pre-Course Survey (created by the BCC CTLI team)
Example IDST360 Pre-Course Survey (created and used by Lauren Goodman in a previous online course)
Example Pre-Course Survey for Faculty Online Course Development Workshop (a different audience, but same goal – to know more about our learners from the start!)
Sample survey from O'Donnell
Break Barriers to Access, such as uploading videos to YouTube for easier access, collaborative notetaking (see Faculty Summit Google Slides, slides 25-30 for help with this), lecture notes to go along with live lectures, OER, materials provided in multiple formats if possible
Use Representative Content, allowing students to see materials that represent themselves. "Curricular materials that represent economic, ethnic, racial, and gender diversity let all students know that they are included in the academic experience."
Open the Lines of Communication, checking in with students, making yourself available.
Sources for #1-4: "3 Ways to Center Equity In Course Design" and Lauren Goodman, Dean of Teaching & Learning Innovation, Berkshire Community College
Defining Norms, Decoding the Hidden Curriculum video, Berkshire Community College
Design of LMS System
Peralta Online Equity Rubric and Explanation of the Peralta Rubric (Source: Peralta's Equity Initiative)
Equity for Online Classes Checklist--Wisconsin Green Bay
Cal State Equity-Minded Checklist
DEI Online Course Checklist
Temple College Best Practices for Teaching Checklist
