Building Diverse & Building Diverse & Inclusive Online Inclusive Online

CoursesCourses

ByBy

Lois TrumanLois Truman

ltruman@ivytech.edultruman@ivytech.edu

Part 1Part 1Unique Issues for Online Unique Issues for Online

CoursesCourses

Group dynamics Group dynamics (invisible participants)(invisible participants)

Learning Style AwarenessLearning Style Awareness

•Visual, Auditory, and Verbal Learners all Visual, Auditory, and Verbal Learners all share cyber world!share cyber world!

•HOW can these styles be incorporated HOW can these styles be incorporated into ONLINE courses?into ONLINE courses?

•Where do instructor preferences and Where do instructor preferences and student styles intersect?student styles intersect?

Time taken for students and Time taken for students and instructorsinstructors … …

TRADITIONAL: 20 students, time frame TRADITIONAL: 20 students, time frame of several hours, one question, 5 of several hours, one question, 5 responses, 20 listening earsresponses, 20 listening ears

ONLINE: 20 students, one question, time ONLINE: 20 students, one question, time frame of several days, 60 responses (3 frame of several days, 60 responses (3 responses each), is anyone really responses each), is anyone really listening?listening?

No body languageNo body language

Physical appearance is not obvious.Physical appearance is not obvious.

No way to detect trauma, illness, or No way to detect trauma, illness, or other non-verbal conditions that impact other non-verbal conditions that impact learning.learning.

How can these issues be How can these issues be communicated without being invasive, communicated without being invasive, rude, or awkward?rude, or awkward?

Technology Technology (outages, compatibility, (outages, compatibility,

viruses)viruses)

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Many technology issues can be easily solved with access to proper resources.

Clearly list ways to access to resources.

Becoming familiar with what Becoming familiar with what each student brings to the each student brings to the

classclass“I ain’t got no ideal how to work this here computer!” The student who lives in fear of technology and grammar…

“This curriculum doesn’t portray my ancestors in a very positive light!” The student with a chip on the shoulder…

“When I train people on my job to do this task we don’t have this much confusion!” The student who knows it all already…

Part 2Part 2Self Reflection for the Online Self Reflection for the Online

Instructor…Instructor…

Diversity ConsciousnessDiversity Consciousness

Should a teacher’s philosophy and style Should a teacher’s philosophy and style change for online courses? change for online courses?

Where is the balance between changing Where is the balance between changing the instructor’s teaching style and the the instructor’s teaching style and the student’s learning style?student’s learning style?

Are multiple types of assignments offered?Are multiple types of assignments offered?

ProfessionalismProfessionalism

How am I reacting to pedagogy How am I reacting to pedagogy online? online?

Diversity awareness begins with Diversity awareness begins with self and extends to how we interact self and extends to how we interact with others.with others.

Integrity? Fairness? Respect for Integrity? Fairness? Respect for others?others?