Utah State University September 15, 2010 Brenda J. Allen University of Colorado Denver Communicating Difference Matters through Inclusive Pedagogy

Explore communication processes that facilitate and foster engaged, active learning among diverse students Goal

Overview Clarify concepts Justify need Outline strategies and techniques Identify challenges and barriers Explore next steps Q&A

Communicating Processes of sharing meaning Verbal Nonverbal Various media Varying contexts

Difference Matters

Differences that Matter Gender Race/ethnicity Age Social class Religion Ability Sexual orientation Nationality

Why Difference Matters Population trends and projections Social movements and activism Hot topic Potential for positive change

What is inclusion?

Process of helping people feel like valued members of a group or community Inclusion

...instructors and students create and sustain an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and encouraged to express her or his views and concerns. Shari Saunders and Diana Kardia University of Michigan Center for Research on Learning and Teaching Inclusive Classrooms

(Why) Does inclusive pedagogy matter?

Factors of Inclusion Teaching philosophy Faculty identities Student identities Knowledge of students Classroom interaction Assignments Curriculum Course content

Strategies for Communicating Inclusion Engage in self reflexivity (see, for example, Harvard Implicit Association Tests Evaluate course content Create and maintain a climate of inclusion

Evaluate Content Whose voices, perspectives, and scholarship are being represented? How are perspectives and experiences of various groups being represented?

Create an inclusive classroom climate Establish guidelines for interacting Maintain the role of facilitator Monitor your nonverbal behaviors Show respect for all students Vary instructional techniques

Ralph Waldo Emerson The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil.

Challenges?

Recommendations for Faculty Identify best practices Identify, request, create, accrue, share RESOURCES Work within your sphere of influence Develop mutual mentoring relationships Collaborate with teaching assistants to revise curriculum and pedagogy Experiment with pedagogy Be patient and persistent *Williams, D. (2008). Beyond the diversity crisis model: Developing a decentralized diversity planning and implementation process. Planning in Higher Education, 36 (2),

Resources Creating Inclusive College Classrooms University of Michigan Multicultural Pavilion Teaching for Inclusion UNC Chapel Hill Diversity and Complexity in the Classroom UC Berkeley

John Cotton Dana Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.