Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the College Classroom by Kelly A. Hogan and Viji Sathy is a comprehensive guide that explores the fundamental importance of inclusivity in the college classroom. The authors articulate that inclusivity is not merely a matter of political correctness but a way to enhance student success and create more enriched learning experiences.
Strategies for Inclusive Teaching
The heart of the book lies in its exploration of practical strategies for fostering inclusivity in higher education.
Some strategies are quite simple, such as:
- Read the syllabus as if you were a student and use student-centered language that is invitational (p. 82)
- Enable closed captioning in videos and slide presentations (p. 156)
- Provide both in-person and online options (p. 170)
Hogan and Sathy emphasize the need for instructors to rethink their approach to course design from the syllabus to classroom practices. A central principle is to create courses that are accessible to all students, regardless of their diverse backgrounds and learning styles. The book also highlights the importance of flexibility in teaching methods to cater to a broad spectrum of student needs.
Real-World Examples and Actionable Advice
One of the book’s strengths is its reliance on real-world examples and case studies, allowing instructors to focus on the practical implementation of inclusive teaching. Checklists and guiding questions throughout help provide actionable advice that can be readily integrated into the classroom. The book’s approach in each chapter is to offer concrete guidance to help educators take immediate steps toward inclusive teaching and adapt strategies suited to their specific teaching situations.
“We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion work won’t be successful until it is the work of everyone in the community and not just a dedicated committee. It is the responsibility of all of us as educators to help students embrace diversity, identify inequities in the world around them, and remove barriers when they can.”we can make the most significant differences.”
(Page 224, Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the College Classroom by Kelly A. Hogan and Viji Sathy)
You can find this book in our TCDC library. Visit us on the second floor of the C-Building at C201 or email us at tcdc@langara.ca
