CONT671: Equitable and Inclusive Schools Part 1 (formerly Inclusive Classroom Part 1)
This course provides you with a crucial opportunity to critically examine your practices and beliefs to foster truly inclusive and equitable learning environments. You will explore the systemic barriers that marginalized groups face, understand the roles of power and privilege, and actively work to dismantle inequities. The course emphasizes challenging your own biases, understanding the diverse needs of learners, and implementing culturally responsive and accessible teaching strategies. This commitment aligns with both social justice principles and legal frameworks, empowering you to create a space where every learner feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. Through this exploration, you will be prepared to cultivate learning environments that are genuinely inclusive and equitable.
Learning Outcomes
What You Will Learn and Do
In this course, you’ll
- develop an Anti-oppressive foundation and identify ways that power and privilege have in the creation of systemic oppression
- reflect on the role an educator has in promoting a safer learning environment and the importance of challenging one’s own biases and beliefs
- identify and learn strategies that dismantle inequities, break down barriers and promote an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all learners
- develop a strong foundational understanding of culturally and historically relevant and responsive pedagogy and demonstrate ways to incorporate that learning into curriculum development and teaching
- examine and align professional practices to the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- Integrate Indigenous ways of knowing and teachings into the curriculum
- examine the importance of understanding learner needs and ensuring that all learners have equitable access to learning, in a way that allows all learners to be able to participate fully and in ways that highlight their strengths
- implement and utilize strategies that promote accessibility and inclusion when teaching and planning in ways the support the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
Assessments
Module 1
Identity vs the Dominant Culture
Module 2
Equity and Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy (CRRP)
Progress Update 1
Module 3
Indigenous Curriculum and Instruction
Module 4
Accessibility and Instruction
Progress Update 2
Module 5
Curriculum Development and Safer Learning Spaces
Module 6
Standards, Ethical Guidelines and Ontario Policy
Progress Update 3
Module 7
Course Culminating Task
Final Report