Inclusion in the
classroom –
involving
students
What is it?
An interactive session for students about equality, diversity and inclusion.
There are different ways of running the session, but this is how Dr Liesl King, Head of
English Literature, and Marije Davidson, Equality & Diversity Adviser, did it:
In Welcome Week 2013, Marije Davidson gave a short talk to new students of English
Literature about the Student Charter, equality and diversity and what they can do
to challenge prejudice, stereotype and discrimination. Students were then asked:
‘In your view, what can students do in the classroom to create a positive learning
environment for everyone present?’ In small groups, they wrote or drew their ideas
on post-its. These ideas were read out by Liesl King, Head of Programme, to students
at their first lecture, and posted on Moodle.
Why do it?
The session engages students with the University’s inclusion agenda; it raises
awareness of the Student Charter; it sets the ground rules for how we behave to
each other. It also acts as an ice-breaker and makes everyone feel welcome.
You can do this too!
Contact Marije Davidson, Equality & Diversity Adviser
E: [email protected].
Accept everyone: No prejudice
Accept others’ opinions (illustrated with two people
saying “I like cheese.” “OK!”)
Ask names, course details etc
Avoid being judgemental based on cliched sterotypes
Avoid stereotyping people (remove that idea)
Be accepting of other people’s gender, ethnicity,
sexuality and disability
Be approachable
Be friendly and approachable
Be open to other people’s ideas
Be polite and well mannered
Be sensitive and aware of an individual’s background
(cultural, religious etc)
Be supportive!
Be tolerant of other people’s opinions
Be yourself
Being inclusive
Common courtesy
Communicate with each other
Confidence and open to change
Constructive criticism and positive remarks
Contribute fairly in teams and don’t let one person do all
the work
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Don’t be disruptive
Don’t be ignorant; ask questions; understand
backgrounds
Don’t belittle ideas
Don’t judge people by outward appearance
Don’t laugh at other people’s ideas
Don’t mock people
Educate people
Everyone gets involved
Everyone to introduce themselves
Group activity
Group work
Help people who don’t understand something
If you have nothing nice to say don’t say anything
Include everyone in conversations/activities
Include everybody
Include everyone
Include everyone and listen to their ideas!
Include everyone no matter what
Include people (try talk to people who you would not
normally talk to)
Include people outside class
Keep a positive attitude
Keep an open mind. Think before you speak.
Keep everyone included
Keep yourself prepared so that you can interact with
others
Let other people speak and don’t talk over others
Listen and respect the opinions of others
Listen to each other
Listen to each other’s ideas and opinions
Listen to other people’s ideas regardless of your own
opinion
Listen to others
Listen!
Make sure no one feels left out
Make sure that everyone is involved
No prejudice: get to know everyone
Not judging anyone based on what they say or their
ideas
Offer help to everyone, especially those who seem to be
struggling or have misunderstood
Open Mind (don’t judge people)
Open-mindedness
Positive feedback from classmates
Process everyone’s ideas
Remember manners!
Respect all ideas
Respect each other
Respect each other
Respect their views
Respect!
Respectful
Show respect for people’s differences
Sit next to someone new each time
Social filters: don’t say immediate thought
Take everyone’s opinions on board: listen
Take in everyone’s ideas and work with them
Think before you speak
Treat others how you wish to be treated
Treat others how you would like to be treated
Treat others how you would want to be treated
Try and involve other classmates
Try to include everybody
Try to look for people on their own
Turn to your left or right and introduce yourself
Understand everyone’s opinion
Work as a team
Work as group - support for student reps