Blueprint for Belonging (EDI)
For the month of November, the Hub wants to highlight equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in course design.
Think of your course being the “house” and we have the blueprint on where simple EDI components can be built into your course to create an environment where students can feel represented, respected, and supported.
The following are some EDI design strategies to improve your course:
Attic: Accessibility
- Include alt text for images
- When including videos, it is important to ensure closed captioning is available and to have a downloadable transcript file
- Choose high-contract and accessible colours (e.g. black text on white background) when creating lesson slides
- Ensure documents are screen-reader friendly and can be downloaded
- Offer multiple formats of content (e.g. videos, articles, podcasts)
Upstairs: Representation
- Avoid using content that contains stereotypes
- Invite students to share their own experiences and perspectives (e.g. through discussion forums or reflection submissions)
- Incorporate course materials that reflect a range of cultures, identities, and experiences (e.g. articles, case studies, guest speakers)
Main Floor: Belonging
- Curate your course content to have a personable, caring, and inclusive tone (syllabus, announcements, feedback)
- Have an anonymous feedback channel to allow students to share thoughts or concerns
- Host a weekly discussion forum to encourage students to share their insights on the course topics and converse with their classmates
Basement: Flexibility
- Include transparent statements throughout the course for expectations
- For assessments, include rubrics with clear criteria and simple language
- Offer assignment submissions format options (written, visual, oral)
- Build in grace periods or flexible deadlines
Overall, EDI can give simple advantages to making your course feel like a place students can call home.
Not sure where to start? Our course development page has some useful templates that can lead you in the right direction to make your course equitable, diverse and inclusive.
If you have any other questions regarding EDI or UDL in course design or learning objects, feel free to contact Alison Loach.
CLICK HERE FOR THE BLUEPRINT EDI COURSE DESIGN PLAN [PDF]