Online education is, by its nature, an ideal place to foster an inclusive learning environment. It opens up opportunities for students representing diverse backgrounds and from all corners of the globe to join in.
A university in Kansas can welcome students in Kathmandu seeking a credential from their internationally renowned institution. Students with severe mobility issues may have no other choice but to learn from home, and online learning can accommodate their needs. In general, students knowing that people of all kinds are welcome can stimulate higher enrollments, increased class participation, and better educational outcomes.
Why Is Diversity in Online Education Important?
A quality postsecondary education is a vital way to empower graduates to achieve their personal and professional goals. No one should feel excluded from educational opportunities based on their sex, age, nationality, religion, race, gender identity, location, disability, or other distinguishing attributes.
Students in diverse online classes benefit from:
– Broader perspectives from classmates with differing lived experiences and cultures.
– Better preparation for future roles in diverse employment settings.
– Expanded networking opportunities.
– Greater empathy and understanding of others.
10 Ways to Create More Inclusive Learning Environments
Ready to start creating a more diverse and inclusive educational experience for your students? Here are 10 great places to start:
1. Promote diversity through choice of curriculum, lectures, guest speakers, and theoretical examples used
in class discussions.
2. Establish inclusive practices within the classroom, including basic rules outlining respectful
communication and behavior, active listening, empathy, and open-mindedness.
3. Directly address common biases and stereotypes. Encourage students to consider other viewpoints and
challenge their own preconceived notions about people who are different from them.
4. Be proactive about providing faculty and staff with ongoing diversity training. Often, such training is only
provided as a remedy following an unfortunate incident.
5. Offer support and technology for students with disabilities, such as speech-to-text software, Braille
displays, eye-tracking capabilities, and closed captioning.
6. Periodically request comments from students about their experience in your program and how they feel
their classroom could be a more inclusive learning environment. This can be done through direct discussions with individual students or through anonymous questionnaires. Make necessary changes based on their feedback.
7. Encourage participation from all students in class by reassuring them that differing viewpoints are
welcome.
8. Conduct outreach to the community and various organizations that represent the interests of groups
within the community. Form partnerships with these organizations.
9. Use inclusive language in the classroom and throughout all aspects of the online learning experience.
10. Broaden your marketing efforts with diversity-and-inclusion-focused messaging and imagery. Consider
ways to reach and attract international students, including social media and other digital avenues.
Get Help With Your Diversity Efforts
Apollidon Learning is devoted to helping accredited public higher-education institutions like yours expand enrollments through a broad range of marketing and support services. That includes targeted marketing for prospective students from your desired locations around the globe as well as messaging and policies that position you as a diverse institution appealing to a wider range of students. We’re ready to discuss how your institution can attract and retain a more diverse student body!
Contact us today to get the discussion started.
Sources:
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/rel/Products/Region/midatlantic/Blog/30160