With open and inclusive pedagogy, we seek equal opportunities for all students and take advantage of the time and resources invested by avoiding disposable projects. Each project has a value and can be revised, remixed, reused, and redistributed.
Its origin is open projects that are made available to others to do the same and form a chain of collaboration and learning.
In a previous blog, I explained to you what open pedagogy and inclusive pedagogy are about. Here I will give you some tips to implement it in your virtual course.
Tips for implementing open and inclusive pedagogy in e-Learning
Using open and inclusive pedagogy, each experience, way of learning, ideology, and methodology is valuable and contributes to personal and social growth.
“Sharing ideas, resources, and solutions to diverse problems in real life motivates the student and commits him to know that his contribution has value and will be used by others.” – source: https://studyessay.org.
But, how to apply both methodologies in your virtual course?
- Promote the creation of open textbooks for other students of the same level in your course.
They will understand better than anyone the needs of others in their same condition. You can support them by reviewing the content they create throughout the course.
The content is created based on other open resources.
2. Open and inclusive pedagogy seeks to make anyone feel welcome in the learning community. This gives students a feeling of belonging.
The content is built in collaboration as well as the work rules. This requires a change in the way you think and work.
I recommend that you explain the new methodology to your students from the beginning.
Technology plays an important role in open and inclusive pedagogy as it is the medium that facilitates remote communication, access to open content, and the modification and adaptation of material accessible to all.
Some may not feel comfortable at first, so it is important to show support and create a community of mutual help and work rules that respect diversity.
Most students are not used to being so participatory in class, so your attitude and feedback will be important.
3. Begin by adopting one practice to familiarize students with the methodology and avoid being overwhelmed. Offer tips and examples.
It generates support and discussion forums so that they can contribute from their experience.
Remember that at the center of these pedagogies is promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ask yourself when preparing content if it is inclusive and if it allows adaptations and modifications.
4. Something as simple as the student choosing which tool he wants to present his work and how much depth he will give to the subject can make a big difference.
You can start by asking students two or three questions they would like to solve in the course and their preferred way of presenting their work. Make a list and try to include this content in your course.
It is a co-creation.
Do not assume that your students prefer one way or another; better, provide options.
Other tips to get started …
Accessibility is the keyword in both methodologies. We want to save resources and make higher education an opportunity accessible to all.
- Create a relationship of trust and communication with your students.
- Offers a list of sites to access open resources.
- Promote content to serve the community; for example, look for non-profit organizations to which research and work can be an important contribution.
- Engage students in chats with authors or experts. This turns learning into a dialogue and makes it easier for students to exchange their ideas and work with others with more experience.
- Build the course standards, instructions, and working models together and allow your students to curate course content.
Last but very important. Talk to your students at the beginning of the course to verify that they have access to the necessary technology.
Check that they have the ability or receive the necessary support to use digital tools.
These are just some ideas to get you started, sure you and your group of students will be able to generate other good ideas that you can share with our learning community.
