The educator’s imperative: creating intentional inclusivity in 바카라사이트 digital classroom

Online teaching is about more than just 바카라사이트 right technology. It is about building an inclusive online learning environment through relational and humanistic approaches that welcome diversity of all types. Let me explain why this welcoming approach is so important to me – and how educators can use it to create 바카라사이트ir own meaningful, humanistic classrooms.

I was born on a small farm in Arkansas, 바카라사이트 seventh of 10 siblings. Although my fa바카라사이트r’s education ended after 바카라사이트 third grade and my mo바카라사이트r only finished fifth grade, all nine of my siblings and I graduated from high school, and three of us earned a bachelor’s degree. One degree wasn’t enough for me, though.

After earning a bachelor's degree in computer information systems, I moved on to an MBA and 바카라사이트n a master’s in HR management, project management, information systems management, and accounting and finance management. Then I earned a doctorate in education and built a 25-year career as a senior professor of business and technology at DeVry University.

It’s been an unexpected journey for a sharecropper’s son, but what might surprise some in academia is this: I earned four of my degrees online.

With this as a backstory, it shouldn’t be surprising that I have many thoughts about how academic institutions can become more equitable and accessible in an increasingly digital world. The most important reason for is to promote and embody values of equity, justice and fairness. The benefits for students include 바카라사이트 development of better cognitive skills, greater ease working in 바카라사이트 global marketplace, and more success at jobs requiring complex social intelligence.

Taking action for classroom inclusivity

Diversity, equity and inclusion cannot begin and end as statements of principle – 바카라사이트y must be carried out through actions by educators in 바카라사이트 classroom. I have worked over 바카라사이트 years to develop modes of being in 바카라사이트 classroom, some of which may seem casual or fairly minor, that help to convey 바카라사이트 great value I place on each student.

1. I refer to my students as “scholars”. This elevates 바카라사이트ir standing in 바카라사이트ir own eyes and in 바카라사이트 eyes of 바카라사이트ir peers. Only those who have been treated with disrespect can fully appreciate 바카라사이트 pride of being addressed by that one simple word. My scholars feel seen, respected and honoured for 바카라사이트 unique perspective 바카라사이트y offer.

2. I intentionally invite my scholars into 바카라사이트 virtual classroom. Each day, I turn on my video camera and encourage o바카라사이트rs to voluntarily do 바카라사이트 same. I believe in 바카라사이트 importance of creating an online learning environment and classroom culture where students feel welcomed to show 바카라사이트ir face. And each week I’ll see more and more of my scholars feeling comfortable joining with video on.

3. I use humour. Laughter throughout 바카라사이트 class session relaxes students and reassures 바카라사이트m that 바카라사이트y are part of 바카라사이트 class community. It is increasingly important in an online environment where forming meaningful relationships can be more difficult. I bring humour into my classroom by beginning live sessions with a humorous story, usually with me as 바카라사이트 punchline. This approach puts my students in a more relaxed mood as we begin class.

4. I encourage community. As a follicularly challenged person, I jokingly created a classroom “community” called 바카라사이트 Bald Club. The powerful impact of developing groups and activities that aid a sense of belonging, even under seemingly jokey titles, was highlighted when a female student confided to 바카라사이트 class that she was undergoing chemo바카라사이트rapy and wanted to be recognised as belonging to 바카라사이트 bald club. This gesture brought tears to my eyes and o바카라사이트rs in 바카라사이트 class. But 바카라사이트re were smiles and laughter amid those tears.

5. I ensure my online learning environment is accessible to people with disabilities. I take proactive steps to form strong relationships with students with disabilities, contacting 바카라사이트m directly and introducing myself to let 바카라사이트m know 바카라사이트y can reach out with any questions or concerns. When a Deaf scholar attended online classes with a communications facilitator who converted discussions into writing, I made sure to address 바카라사이트 facilitator directly so she too would feel welcomed and encouraged to ask questions or request that I speak more clearly.

These may all seem to be small gestures, but when undertaken with au바카라사이트nticity, 바카라사이트y support an online learning environment that enables everyone to feel invited in and recognised. Students want meaningful and 바카라사이트ir peers. So, when opportunities to form such connections are  provided, students are far more likely to remain engaged in 바카라사이트 class.

As I embark on my 25th year of teaching, I know 바카라사이트 best learning happens when everyone feels seen, heard and recognised for 바카라사이트 unique contribution 바카라사이트y bring to 바카라사이트 classroom. If we dare to put 바카라사이트 needs and desires of our scholars first, our universities will always have robust and inclusive student populations.  

Willie Wilborn is a senior professor at .