Embedded Files
Inclusive learning practices are important for all students, no matter their age, institution, or area of study. But, there are different and additional considerations needed to ensure an inclusive environment in online learning. In fact, inclusive teaching practices may be particularly critical to utilize in online education because of the learner demographics, differing instructional needs, and unique challenges present for many online learners (Shirky, 2015). This toolkit identifies inclusive teaching as intentional practices designed to eliminate marginalization and exclusion, and to support all learners in accessing and engaging in all aspects of quality education. Inclusive online teaching practices are often synonymous with good online practices, but inclusive practices go a step further with a focus on equity and success for all learners through engagement, representation, and supports.
This toolkit is comprised of practices designed to provide designers and instructors of online education applicable ideas they can immediately utilize. Regardless of the context (formal, non-formal), learners (undergraduate, graduate, adults), modality (synchronous, asynchronous), or discipline taught, you can use this toolkit to discover ideas that are beneficial for your inclusive online teaching.
If you are newer to teaching online, we suggest you start by exploring the Good Online Practices section. Here you will find an introduction to good practices for anyone teaching online, which in turn form the foundation for inclusive online practices. The inclusive toolkit portion is divided into four main areas: Course Design, Assessments, Discussions, and Interactions and includes associated subtopics in each area. Each subtopic includes specific suggestions and tips as well as additional resources. We encourage you to explore, learn, and use this toolkit!
Shirky, C. (2015). The digital revolution in higher education has already happened. No one noticed. Medium. https://medium.com/@cshirky/the-digital-revolution-in-higher-education-has-already- happened-no-one-noticed-78ec0fec16c7
Toolkit Development Note
Toolkit Development Note
This toolkit was developed by Dr. Kelly McKenna and Dr. Leann Kaiser. We are fortunate to have worked with two mentors, Dr. Kalpana Gupta and Dr. Kayon Murray-Johnson, to help us to view our toolkit through varied lenses of expertise, identities, and lived experiences. We (Kelly and Leann) also attempted to utilize resources from a diverse audience as we developed this toolkit. We acknowledge that any mistakes made are fully ours and that we likely have not represented all identities in these inclusive practices. As we “know better” we will continue to revise and develop this toolkit to “do better”.
Biographies
Biographies
Kelly McKenna, Ph.D. (she/her) is a scholar and practitioner of online teaching and learning who has been recognized for her online teaching acumen. She has designed and facilitated courses focused on diversity and equity and her research is centered on developing community through the creation of inclusive online learning spaces. She completed the Colorado State University Faculty Institute for Inclusive Excellence in 2023.
Leann Kaiser, Ph.D. (she/her) has been teaching online and researching online practices for over 20 years. Her expertise in this area has been recognized by her students and fellow educational professionals. She is a 2023 Fellow of the Colorado State University Faculty Institute for Inclusive Excellence and co-owner of Creative Instructional Solutions, LLC.
Kalpana Gupta, Ed.D. (she/her) has been working in training and development for more than 20 years at several institutions of higher education. She specializes in faculty development, program development, instructional design, and online delivery. She is a 2017 graduate of the Colorado State University Faculty Institute for Inclusive Excellence and co-owner of Creative Instructional Solutions, LLC.
Kayon Murray-Johnson, Ph.D. (she/her) has been training and facilitating diverse adult learners for more than 15 years in the United States and Caribbean. Her work includes professional development, instructional design, and curriculum development with a culturally responsive lens as foundation. Her scholarship focuses on facilitating difficult dialogues on race and racism and she has earned accolades for her work in diversity and inclusion.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse