Inclusive Teaching


Definition of Inclusive Teaching Approaches for Inclusive Teaching Working Together Towards Inclusion KAUST Inclusion Statement Strategies for Inclusive Teaching Implementation

Definition of Inclusive Teaching

Inclusive teaching is a ‘education for all’ design approach that is focused on inclusive educational practices. Inclusive teaching is dedicated to ensuring all learners have opportunities to optimize their learning. 

Inclusive classroom approaches require the instructors to create an environment for all the students to feel safe, encourage them to express views and support their learning needs. In addition, instructors teaching approach needs to consider learners with a variety of backgrounds, learning abilities and ensure there is an equal opportunity to contribute completely in the learning process. These approaches provides and inclusive learning environment and learners feel equally valued and welcome in the classroom. To develop inclusive classroom environment instructors needs consistent curriculum review and understanding of inclusive practices. 


To create inclusive teaching, instructors need to consider the following questions:

  • Why do some learners appear to contribute more often and learn more easily than others?
  • How cultural expectations may impact learners interaction? 
  • How learners principles, identities and backgrounds might affect their level of participation?

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Approaches for Inclusive Teaching

Inclusive teaching can be considered in the following aspects:


  • Including diverse viewpoints into course content

Example 1: when designing a course content instructors need to consider a variety of reading lists for different    gender, religious and culture.

Example 2: presenting several cultural and racial perspectives in case studies and ensure that teaching materials and lecture examples present a diversity of human examples and avoid any focus in any particular individual or group.

  • Designing an inclusive classroom environment

That have all learners encouraged to contribute to the classroom.

Example: learn about learner’s backgrounds and develop approaches based on learners’ differences

  

KAUST is committed to meet the Sustainability Development Goals as part of the Kingdom Vision 2030 by contributing to its goals and deliver quality education that is fundamental to creating a peaceful and thriving world. The Sustainable development Goal #4 focuses on education and that provides people with the knowledge and skills they need to remain healthy, get jobs and foster tolerance.

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Working Together Towards Inclusion

KAUST and the Center for Teaching and Learning are dedicated to encouraging a learning environment that meets the requirements of all its diverse learners. Creating a welcoming classroom environment and ensure course resources are available to all learners are important in the physical classroom and an online classroom environment. 
 
To create an inclusive classrooms, the course needs to be designed firmly and explicitly to contain different perspectives and reflect on the demographic of the classroom. 

Important Components of Inclusive Courses

To create an inclusive course and build an excellent learning experience that are focused, appropriate, and available to all learners requires advanced planning. Below are some key components for inclusive course design.


  • Design learning experiences that are accessible for all learners.
  • Design course guidelines indicate the different challenges for learners.
  • Design course content that represents teaching and learning diversity.
  • Design formative and summative assessment that supports continuous learning.
  • Design the teaching and learning to provide opportunities for optimum learning.

 

 

KAUST Inclusion Statement

KAUST teaching and learning is committed to uphold its learners’ values by ensuring the learning environment is aligned with their diverse backgrounds. The institution achieves this goal by recognizing the value of both learners and instructors and the asset value of this contribution to KAUST. It also ensures its educational initiatives values the dynamic cultures and individual identities as visible in individuals’ engagement in the institution.

 

 

Our learning design approach provides the specification for enabling an equitable and inclusive learning experience. KAUST recognizes that long-term developments in inclusive education practice requires a sustained commitment to embracing difference. KAUST recognizes cumulative impact is achieved through incremental and individual actions.

 

Strategies for Inclusive Teaching Implementation 


Creating an Inclusive Syllabus and Course Content

  • Build clear learning objectives and outcomes as part of the course syllabus.
  • Assess course content from different perspectives.
  • Consider different authors when selecting reading materials
  • Ensure availabilities of activities, resources, and equipment before including them into the course
  • Plan for the learner’s assignment to encourage them to adopt different points of view.
  • Integrate ideas of authors with dynamic viewpoints 
 

Inclusive Teaching Approach

  • Provide frequent performance feedback such as encouraging learners to participate in projects to assess their contribution
  • Frequently evaluate learners using different method that are flexible and accessible methods. For example, this may include discussing with learners to create portfolios, engage in group work and perform project.

Inclusive Classroom Management Approach 

  • Ensure all members of group projects, discussion panels, and laboratory experiment have different diversities and are known to all learners.
  • Explain values and expectations to learners.
  • Allocate group projects to allow learners to support each other.
  • Ensure a tolerant and inclusive space for learning.
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