Inclusivity

Because OER can be modified, they offer an opportunity to add content that represents a more broad spectrum of native speaker experiences. Many traditional language textbooks portray a very normative and narrow view of speakers of the language. This is not ideal because it doesn't represent the diversity of the cultures and languages we teach, but it also doesn't reflect our students' diversity. OER has the potential to change this model!

OpenStax at Rice University is developing guidelines for representation and diversity of genders, races, cultures, geographies, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations, socio-economic statuses, and viewpoints in course materials. This is the list of components where diversity can be made visible:

• Illustrations and photos
• Vocabulary for describing personal appearance or other personal attributes
• Example names
• Historical, pioneering, or current researchers/studies in the field
• References/bibliography, and credits to diverse researchers/authors
• Applications, examples, and problem scenarios that relate to, and can be understood by, diverse audiences
• Appropriate terminology
• Keyword, indexed item, glossary, and metadata representation
• Presence and balanced perspectives on issues, events, or concepts that are relevant to underrepresented groups
• Diversity of viewpoints on multifaceted, sensitive, or controversial topics

This list is modified from "Improving Representation and Diversity in OER Materials" by Rice University, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license Links to an external site..

We will continue to gather more tips on this topic and update this page accordingly.

 

 

Learn More about Inclusivity

• "African Americans in World Language Study: The Forged Path and Future Directions Links to an external site." by Uju Anya
•  The case study “An inclusionary open access textbook for Portuguese Links to an external site.” by Carlos Pio, Eduardo Viana da Silva discusses the development of an inclusive Portuguese textbook
•  The University of Texas at Austin Office for Inclusion and Equity offers this curriculum and teaching inventory to help schools in reviewing their curriculum and teaching practices for inclusion.
•  Making Your Language Curriculum More Inclusive Links to an external site. webinar recording with Kia London and Jenniffer Whyte
•  Creating inclusive open resources for language learning Links to an external site. webinar recording with Eduardo Viana da Silva and Carlos Pio
• Inclusive Pedagogy and the Language-Learning Classroom Links to an external site. blog post by Sarah Le Pichon

 

 

Please provide feedback on these modules by filling out this short survey Links to an external site..

Go to the next page to learn about the peer review process.