See below for a list of recommendations that you can implement to make both your courses and your interactions with students more inclusive. Each recommendation also refers to a resource link with more in-depth information.
Convey the same level of confidence in the abilities of all your students. Be cautious about being over-protective of or unduly strict toward any group of or individual students, being mindful of existing stereotypes and not perpetuating them1
Provide multiple options for engagement that encourage learner autonomy. Invite students to do investigations or research on self selected topics to draw on personal interests/relevance. Increase options for assignment format to allow students increased choice (e.g. oral presentation, research paper, design project)1
Offer students multiple lower-stakes opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge (e.g. quizzes, discussions, proposals, peer review)2
Reflect on the activities you choose for class. Do you tend to repeat the same format every week, or do you vary your class activities? Do you provide multiple class participation opportunities (e.g. large group, paired, group, and individual work)? Try expanding your repertoire to broaden student engagement1
Reflect on how students may perceive you. Consider your positionality, social location, and your intersecting social identities (e.g., race, sex, class, gender, ability, sexual orientation)1
Gather anonymous student feedback throughout the course to allow for within-semester adjustments3
