Facilitating an Inclusive Classroom Environment

Objectives: 1) Understand the importance of an inclusive classroom environment and identify activities that promote inclusivity 2) Simulate activities that promote an inclusive classroom environment and reflect on the benefits of those activities.

Teaching and learning methods in the classroom and the course should be accessible to all students regardless of race, culture, sexual orientation, or disability. Faculty who incorporate inclusive teaching methods in their classroom help to ensure that all students are recognized and that differing sociocultural perspectives have the opportunity to be considered. Too often, we see that faculty desire to incorporate a more inclusive teaching style but lack the knowledge and the tools to do so. To meet this challenge, faculty in an undergraduate nursing program designed a professional development activity focused on creating an inclusive classroom environment. This activity includes lessons on cultural humility, inclusive language, diversity in resources, and other related topics. During this activity, faculty are presented with tools and checklists to assist them in transforming their classrooms into ones that focus on inclusion. Following the activity, faculty are asked to participate in an exercise, which encouraged them to realize that higher education and life are not equitable for all students in their classroom. After the activity, presenters provide an opportunity for open discussion among attendees and offer suggestions for implementing these inclusive techniques in the classroom.