How to Construct an Inclusive Learning Environment
In a classroom setting, diversity is important. Students can come from a large array of backgrounds and have many differences. These might include varying physical and psychological abilities, as well as gender, culture, language, race, age, sexual orientation and religion. In addition, adult students can be married, single, parents or have a military background. Students also bring their own unique learning abilities and styles. All of these diverse qualities have potential to contribute to classroom learning. A teacher can take steps to create a learning environment based on fostering inclusion and make diversity a strength of the classroom.
Instructions
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Create classroom norms. At the beginning of a course, or the first meeting of a class or workshop, create a list of rules for classroom behavior. You can do this along with your students. A good way to begin is by first stating a few rules that you believe are important and that lay the foundation for an inclusive learning environment. For instance, basic rules such as "treat others with respect" and "listen to others and avoid pointing blame" will set a tone for how you and the students are expected to behave. Treating others with respect will help students feel they're being heard. Listening and not casting blame will give students a chance to speak and be open about how they feel.
Ask students what rules they would like to add to the list. Make sure that all voices are heard in the process. In this way, the rules will reflect and support diversity and inclusively in the classroom.
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Address issues of diversity directly. As an instructor, you are in the position to model inclusion in the classroom. You can do this in a few ways. You can address issues of diversity when they come up in class discussion. For instance, if a student makes a comment that is ignorant or hurtful, use this as a time to discuss with the entire class how this comment might hurt others. You can also use course content to help students look at issues of diversity. For example, if a mathematics textbook uses only examples that have to do with males, discuss what this says about women and math. By addressing issues of diversity directly, students will feel more accepted for their own differences within the classroom itself.
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Use a variety of teaching methods and model inclusiveness in your teaching style. Utilizing diverse teaching methods will make the course inclusive for a variety of abilities and learning styles. Rather than just teaching through lectures, use methods such as collaborative and group activities; hands-on activities; Internet and technology based learning; fieldwork or field trips and guest speakers. Provide written materials to supplement lectures as well.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask students frequently for feedback. This will give students a voice and allow them to take control of their own learning. It will also allow members of specific groups to speak up. For instance, if older students feel that a discussion is becoming "ageist," these students will have an opportunity to address it.
Some classrooms are not set up to ensure physical access for students with disabilities. Most schools have a department of diversity that can help you to make accommodations for physically disabled students.
