how would you build an inclusive online learning community in your course?

To establish an inclusive eLearning environment, it’s essential to set ground rules that honor learner diversity. For example, respecting everyone’s opinions and ideas, instead of making them feel out of place. These guidelines apply to every aspect of the eLearning course, from online discussions to group collaboration training projects.

Full Answer

What is inclusive learning and why is it important?

Additionally, inclusive learning provides students with access to flexible learning choices and effective paths for achieving educational goals in classrooms where they experience a sense of belonging.

How can your language create an inclusive classroom environment?

Studies show that increasing inclusivity eliminates unintentional barriers that may hamper a student’s ability to relate to you and to the material, which in turn increases their engagement and learning. Again, these are just a few examples to get you thinking about how your language can create an inclusive classroom environment.

How do you implement inclusivity in the classroom?

Here are three ways you can start implementing inclusivity into your classroom today. The first principle of universal design theory is the “what” of learning. It says to use “multiple means of representation.”

What is the “all in” initiative for online classrooms?

At Penn State, we talk about the “All In” initiative ~ a commitment to diversity and inclusion in all areas of the University. This includes our online classrooms. Here are some ways to use language to create diverse and inclusive classroom environments for all students. P.S. These tips are good for traditional face-to-face classrooms as well!

How do you create an inclusive online learning environment?

Principle 1: Establish and support a class climate that fosters belonging for all students. Principle 2: Set explicit student expectations. Principle 3: Select course content that recognizes diversity and acknowledges barriers to inclusion. Principle 4: Design all course elements for accessibility.

How can you create community in an online course?

6 Strategies for Building Community in Online CoursesCreate a Plan for Communication.Establish Social Presence.Meet in Real-Time.Create Opportunities for Information and Expertise Sharing.Use Collaborative Learning Techniques.Develop Sub-Communities.

How do you build an inclusive community in the classroom?

Building inclusive classroomsClassroom climate. Influence the classroom climate to enhance student learning. ... Connecting with your students. ... Establishing ground rules. ... Global learning. ... Icebreakers. ... Inclusive teaching strategies. ... Universal Design for Learning.

How can I make my e learning more inclusive?

How To Create An Inclusive eLearning EnvironmentGamify Your eLearning Course. ... Add Group Collaboration Activities. ... Start A Closed Social Media Group. ... Create A Mentorship Online Training Program. ... Provide Self-Guided Support Tools. ... Improve Accessibility For Online Learners With Special Needs. ... Create Personalized Learning Paths.More items...

How do you develop a learning community?

1. Create a Community of Learners, Starting With YourselfAsk questions and model curiosity.Investigate new ideas and discuss them with students and colleagues.Use data to push your thinking in new directions.Take risks, make (and admit!) ... Read a book, watch a video lecture, or listen to a podcast.More items...•

What is the best online learning community?

The best online learning management systems worldwide (in no particular order)Canvas. Canvas. ... Moodle. Moodle is one of the most appreciated free online learning management systems. ... Edmodo. ... Schoology. ... Sakai. ... Showbie. ... iTunes U. ... Google Classroom.

What is an inclusive learning community?

Introduction. Inclusive school communities are educational settings in which students with disabilities have opportunities to participate and receive support in all aspects of school life alongside peers who do not have disabilities.

How is online learning inclusive?

In principle and in theory, online learning offers numerous possibilities to practice educational inclusivity. It has the ability to reach an unlimited number of students from anywhere, at any time. Learners have the freedom to work at their own pace and build their own learning paths.

1. Start with an Introductory Week (Week 0)

Many courses on NovoEd start with an introductory week, where learners aren’t expected to engage with content right away. Instead, they are asked to “ onboard ” through reflecting on their own learning experiences and developing an online identity.

2. Use an Introductory Discussion

In an unfamiliar environment with unknown classmates, it may be difficult for learners to initially speak up and present their ideas. Instead of beginning discussions with a controversial topic, the first discussion should be introductory, where learners are asked to share a bit about themselves and their goals for the course.

3. Use Custom Profile Questions to Facilitate Reflection and Connections

While questions like favorite foods or movies were appropriate for 2nd graders, you can ask more content specific questions to your learners depending on your course topic. Asking things like “what is your level of confidence with the concept of _____” or “Rate on a scale of novice to expert your knowledge about _____”.

4. Set Clear Expectations

In the same way I learned how to get an A in spelling (a score of 90%), let your learners know what is required for successfully completing your course. Tell them what the expected workload may look like as well as what strategies they may use to allot time to complete their coursework.

5. Share Yourself with the Community

I remember my second-grade teacher playing the guitar for us, making our classroom more musical and enjoyable. In an online setting, showcase the best parts of your personality by sharing your personal stories and insights early on.

8 Creating Inclusive Online Learning Environments

In a post-2020 world, online learning is an increasingly important sphere in postsecondary education. Like face-to-face instruction, online learning environments are shaped by a distinct set of culturally-informed learning norms, which may be unfamiliar to learners.

Survey Students About Technology Access and Experience

While we frequently hear discussions about our students being digital natives, in reality, digital natives do not exist, and the reality of our students’ interactions with and access to technology can differ widely (Kirschner & De Bruyckere, 2017).

Provide an Orientation Module for Your Course

Online courses often reflect the cultural context in which they are developed; icons, symbols, and strategies for organizing and distributing information are not universal, and can create an additional layer of unfamiliarity for some learners (Hannon & D’Netto, 2007).

Offer Support in Negotiating Identity and Building Social Presence Online

While online courses can increase accessibility for some learners, other learners experience challenges knowing how to effectively engage in intercultural communication in online spaces (Hannon & D’Netto, 2007).

Plan Your Communication Strategy

Online learning requires significant motivation and self-discipline; however, students report that online learning can reduce their feelings of motivation to persist with course work (Aristovnik et al., 2020; Day, 2021).

Allow Flexible Paths to Learning and Demonstrating Knowledge

While Universal Design for Learning (UDL) supports learning in both online and face to face environments, flexibility can be even more important in the online learning space, particularly in recognition of barriers to equity students face in technology access and use.

Connect Students with a Network of Support

Online learning can leave students feeling disconnected from the network of campus supports that enhance opportunities for connectedness and learning success.

Why is inclusivity important?

As educators, we strive to create learning environments where all students feel welcome and included as equal participants with their peers. Thus, the language we use should exhibit respect and sensitivity to all students, regardless of background, gender, culture, etc.

Recognize and acknowledge your bias

Now, your first reaction might be, “I’m not biased.” But the term “bias” just means how you see and relate to the world around you, and it’s a product of your experiences, culture, and values. Most of us come to our classrooms from a typically Western experience and use Western names, examples, stories, etc.

Use universal phrases

When using American idioms, explain them. Not everyone in your class is an American and will understand typically American phrases.

Use gender-neutral phrases

Use generic greetings like Dear students, Good Morning Folks, etc. when addressing the class in emails, announcements, video conferences, etc.

Other word choices

Be aware of the words you use and how they might alienate, misrepresent, or offend some groups of people. For example, use:

Why are general education teachers considered inclusive?

By creating inclusive classrooms, educators aim to foster learning environments that are equitable and nurturing to every student. Additionally, inclusive learning provides students with access to flexible learning choices and effective paths for achieving educational goals in classrooms where they experience a sense of belonging.

What is inclusive learning?

When it comes down to it, inclusive learning is all about diversity: diversity in people, strategies, structures, methods and materials. In an article on “ Effective Teaching Practices for Students in Inclusive Classrooms ,” education professor/researcher Susan Land details four methods of collaborative teaching: 1 Interactive – teachers alternate roles of presenting, reviewing and monitoring instruction 2 Alternative – one person teaches, reteaches or enriches a concept for a small group while the other monitors or teaches the remaining students 3 Parallel – students are divided into mixed ability groups and each co-teaching partner teaches the same material to one of the groups 4 Station – small groups of students rotate to various stations for instruction, review and/or practice

Why is diversity important in the classroom?

When materials are presented that depict characters, language and culture from a diversity of backgrounds, students learn understanding, empathy and acceptance. A sense of belonging is created as students of all ethnicities, backgrounds and needs see themselves reflected in the classroom materials and teachings.

What is the commonality of UDL?

UDL shares many commonalities with Harvard Professor Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, which examines “the extent to which students possess different kinds of minds and therefore learn, remember, perform and understand in different ways.”.

What is UDL in education?

According to the National Center on Universal Design for Learning, “UDL provides a blueprint for creating instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone — not a single, one-size-fits-all solution but rather flexible approaches that can be customized and adjusted for individual needs.”.

What is universal design theory?

The first principle of universal design theory is the “what” of learning. It says to use “multiple means of representation.” While some students are visual learners, others may grasp information better when it is presented through text or when it is spoken orally or taught through kinesthetics. Some students do best with a combination of the above. While these differentiated teaching methods may support the needs of students with disabilities, they also offer diversity of instruction to the entire classroom, giving each and every student an opportunity to learn in the way they do best.

What is interactive teaching?

Interactive – teachers alternate roles of presenting, reviewing and monitoring instruction

Remote Work Expands L&D Opportunity

On one hand, the rapid switch to doing everything online has opened up a Pandora’s box for L&D. The decentralized make-up of training courses and rapid adoption of technology has made formal and informal accreditations accessible to everyone, everywhere and at any time.

Remote L&D Comes With Its Challenges

As well as opportunity, this new hybrid working world also brings challenges to L&D. And these challenges require solutions, which, if not carefully thought out, risk excluding certain workplace demographics.

How To Create an L&D Experience That Meets the Needs of All Employees

David Whitfield is the co-founder and CEO of HR DataHub. David spent 15 years as a senior HR leader of several of the U.K.’s most well-known corporations (Post Office, DHL, Heathrow). He knows the problem we’re solving, because he’s lived it himself for the majority of his professional career.