What Inclusive Instructors Do: Principles and Practices for Excellence in College Teaching

by Tracie Marcella Addy, Derek Dube, Khadijah A. Mitchell, and Mallory SoRelle (Routledge, 2023)

Inclusion in the Nuts and Bolts

What Inclusive Instructors Do examines the nuts and bolts of college teaching, from the welcome email and syllabus to classroom activities and grading, spotlighting practices that acknowledge marginalized students and prioritize their inclusion.

Who's in Class?

A unique feature is the "Who's in Class" form, presented as a "tool to support inclusive teaching." This anonymous "getting to know you" survey gives the instructor an aggregate view of the backgrounds, social identities, responsibilities, and goals of students in the class. The questionnaire was developed for a research study. In that study, instructors were encouraged to tell students about changes they made to promote inclusivity based on the aggregate results. The questionnaire can be deployed electronically or given time in class early in the term.

In the past I have used a "getting to know you" survey, but not an anonymous one. Anonymity strikes an interesting balance: it invites students to disclose some of their primary struggles without prompting me, as the instructor, to take action on behalf of a specific student.

The Syllabus Quiz

Another activity detailed in this book is a Syllabus Quiz. It emphasizes syllabus items that help students build a good working relationship with the instructor (instructor's preferred name and title, office hours, method of contact, email etiquette); the course's philosophy and expectations; major policies such as late work; and ways to give the instructor input on topics, assignments, or other feedback. The authors describe the quiz items as highlighting and reinforcing "classroom cultural capital, social belonging, and inclusive course design." Together, the survey and the quiz open communication in both directions: students learn how to work with the instructor, and the instructor learns who is in the room.

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