Fostering inclusive classrooms: A beginning discussion and opportunity to keep talking

Dr. Byar-Winston asked participants to share what identities or social position affect how we learn. Responses included being a parent, Puerto Rican, Muslim, a black woman, living rurally, being white, senior by age and from a postcolonial society. Moving to a broader disciplinary perspective, we reflected on how the knowledge we have acquired in our discipline is shaped by the scholars who have contributed that knowledge. Discussion of that revolved around who does the research, who gets the money, whose research is reported, and how research can be based on unrepresentative samples and extended to disparate groups.

 

In the hour, we really just scratched the surface. For instance, how does being a parent, Muslim, black woman, white, senior or rural affect how you learn? Specifically what has been your experience? Or in what ways can learners be encouraged to challenge the taken-for granted knowledge in a given field? What are some ways your teaching can better reflect diversity of your students?