Improving Classroom Engagement and Learning: Adaptable Tools, Strategies, and Resources for Nurturing Diversity Appreciation and a Mindfully Multicultural Environment in the Online Classroom

Abstract

This chapter seeks to help and support online educators in their efforts to improve tomorrow. Specifically, the chapter shares practical strategies and tools that online educators can easily apply, adapt, and/or personalize in order to help promote a mindfully multicultural classroom in their online classrooms and programs. The chapter includes a wide range of actionable tools and exercises to help online instructors optimize the learning experience for all students by building upon the unique strengths and diverse cultural backgrounds of all students in their online classrooms. The strategies help instructors leverage diversity as a means to promote equity and social justice in online programs and, ultimately, the world as a whole. The chapter relies upon Gollnick and Chinn’s (2017) six beliefs that are fundamental to multicultural education and presents strategies from two perspectives or lenses (student-focused and faculty-focused). Approaching the issue from a dual-sided lens is intended to best support the ultimate goal of improving the student learning experience. Emphasis is placed on both public and private interactions between faculty and students. Public interactions include all discussion board and announcement communications. Public interactions also include resources that are shared in the online classroom for all students’ benefit.

Citation

Schneider, J. (2020), "Improving Classroom Engagement and Learning: Adaptable Tools, Strategies, and Resources for Nurturing Diversity Appreciation and a Mindfully Multicultural Environment in the Online Classroom", Sengupta, E., Blessinger, P. and Makhanya, M.S. (Ed.) Developing and Supporting Multiculturalism and Leadership Development: International Perspectives on Humanizing Higher Education (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 30), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 33-61. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120200000030005