Community and Belonging

Equity in the classroom means that the learning environment is fair and impartial. 

Ways to promote equity in your classroom:

• Use textbooks or materials that represent multiple cultures.
• Use low-cost and zero-cost textbooks/materials.
• Use asset-minded and decolonized language (for example, colonized vs colonial, enslaved vs slaves).
• Actively care for every student in syllabi/classroom policies. For example: use flexible due dates and make room for students' reasonable accommodations.
• Shift to a collectivism perspective to engage authentic lived experiences and relate to students’ cultural norms. For example; Intentionally create collaborative engagement opportunities (e.g., group work, peer-to-peer work, pair shares, etc.).
• Explore the Chester Fritz Library webpage dedicated to Open Educational Resources.

Visit: What is Equity in Higher Education? from Maryville University

Inclusion in the classroom means that every learner has equal access to educational opportunities in a safe, valued, and respected learning environment. 

Dr. Renuka DeSilva, Teaching, Leadership & Professional Practice, discusses why inclusion is important in the classroom. 

Ways to incorporate inclusion in you classroom: 

• Get to know your students.
• Understand how your students learn.
• Promote a positive learning environment.
• Include a variety of learning materials & activities that are inclusive and represent diversity.
• Encourage interaction among students.
• Offer additional support.
• Collaborate with your class/department/institution as a community.

Visit: Inclusive Classroom Climate by Yale University, Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning

Accessibility in the classroom means that all learners should be able to obtain the same content without obstructions. 

UND recognizes that our commitment to accessibility is a journey. Our goal is to continue to move along in our journey toward creating a more inclusive and accessible campus. 

Ways to promote accessibility in your classroom:

• Choose textbooks and materials that are accesible. 
• Make your course easy to navigate.
• Create an easy to read course design.
• Be intentional in your use of technology
• Make course text, images, video and audio content accessible.
• Provide vender accessibility information for all technology used in the classroom.
• Build accessible materials utilizing TTaDA's Accessibility Lab and peruse the Guide for Making Course Content Accessible.

Visit: Creating Accessible Learning Environments by Vanderbilt University, Center for Teaching.