SharkNotes: Using Inclusive Teaching Strategies to Promote Greater Success Among Minority Students
Shark Notes is a brief summary of an article that our staff has found valuable, and here are the highlights from the latest article: Using Inclusive Teaching Strategies to Promote Greater Success Among Minority Students
Summary:
To help students improve performance and achieve academic success, it is essential to make sure that all students feel included in the learning environment, especially in remote education. This article mentions existing indirect prejudices and offers recommendations to bring equity and inclusion to the learning community.
Highlights:
- Microaggressions – are subtle verbal and behavioral slights that can reduce motivation and potential in academics. To avoid biased assessment tied to a student’s identity or stereotypes, anonymous grading (in Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, etc.) is recommended. To refrain from unwanted racial spotlighting, instructors can share a student’s work anonymously. Minority students can feel heard without being singled out for unwanted attention. In addition, instructors should encourage a discussion on microaggressions and their harmful results.
- Stereotype threat – is when people feel at risk of conforming to negative stereotypes tied to one’s social group. Long-term exposure to the stereotype threat brings the result that students are less motivated in achieving academic success. Instructors should provide the feedback that cognitive ability can be obtained through effort and improved beyond intrinsic ability. In addition, identification with role models and contributions of diverse scholars are effective in inspiring success for the students who encounter the stereotype threat.
- Using diverse perspectives and cooperation to enhance the learning experience –To optimize students’ interactions with diversity, whether, in identity or perspective, instructors can assign groups or rotate group members throughout the semester. Instructors can also use some online tools, such as Google Docs and Zoom breakout rooms, to facilitate group projects, increase interactions, and improve intergroup cooperation.
Higher education is becoming increasingly diverse. It is vital to have all students feel included, valued, and capable of striving for academic success.
Reference:
Phoebe S. Lin, Ph.D., and Lynne N. Kennette, Ph.D. (2021, June 9). Using Inclusive Teaching Strategies to Promote Greater Success Among Minority Students