Do you remember feeling "left out" of something at school? Perhaps an activity or game, or event. Have you ever felt left out of your own learning? Almost as if you were watching or listening to others learning but you, yourself, were not involved. How did you feel? If it was a matter of not understanding the topic and concept, you likely felt frustrated and confused. If, however, it was a situation when you simply were not being asked for input and you felt as if you had something significant to offer, how did you feel? Those feelings of frustration and insult are strong - difficult to forget.
Either of those reasons for exclusion lead to student frustration. Either one minimizes and diminishes the learning experience for students. It actually happens a lot in classrooms and online. The learning is taking place "out there" somewhere but, every student is not feeling included or a part of the learning that is taking place.
It is vital that every teacher thinks intentionally about this challenge. It is a continuous process that must be followed if student inclusion is the goal:
The Teaching Center provides a helpful definition and explanation of the concept of Inclusive learning, as well as other helpful strategies:
Inclusive teaching and learning practices are instrumental in creating and maintaining a learning environment in which all participants are fully engaged and respected, and in which all participants are open to ideas, perspectives, and ways of thinking that are distinct from their own.
TIP: Plan instruction to include every student.
Coming up next, "I have enough content to work though!" Stay tuned...