Ensuring Diversity, Equity & Inclusion In The Online Learning Environment
Description Challenge - Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in the online learning environment How can faculty ensure all students feel welcome, included, and engaged in the online classroom? How do faculty address microaggressions and exclusionary behavior in the online classroom? What are best practices to ensure the classroom environment considers the diversity of each student’s identities? What are the pitfalls that create exclusion? Key Takeaway Participants will be able to apply equity and inclusion skills and strategies as they assess their online classroom environment from syllabus to implementation to ensure that all students can be successful. Overview The COVID-19 pandemic forced many universities to develop plans to shift to an online learning environment, and since 2020, we have seen a continued shift toward virtual learning opportunities. As most institutions commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion values in their vision and mission statements, ensuring equity and inclusion for all students in the online learning environment is necessary to create integrity between values and actions. In this presentation, participants will think intentionally about strategies they can utilize to ensure equity and inclusion, such as accessibility considerations, addressing microaggressions, and the importance of asynchronous opportunities. Participants will also learn skills to prevent and address exclusionary moments in the online classroom. Objectives Analyze current classroom structure Identify strategies to address microaggressions and other exclusionary behaviors Apply best practices to create greater inclusion of all students in the online learning environment Identify campus resources to assist with creating greater inclusion in the online classroom Who Should Attend Administration Faculty Online Learning Student Services/Affairs Academic Affairs Any educator interested in learning more about how to use diversity, equity, & inclusion in online courses