We Are Not Equal! Strategies for Effective Curriculum and Instructional Design

Concurrent Session 4
Streamed Session

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Session Materials

Brief Abstract

Are you helping or creating stress for your students of color?  The difference between Equity vs Equality and its impact on teaching and learning plays a significant factor in the classroom. We MUST find ways to help our students succeed!

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Manisha Sharan, Baker College

Dr. Manisha Sharan has a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology with experience in Research and Development and Laboratory Management. She is a Professor teaching various Science courses at Baker College since 2012. She has published 15 papers and presented in 9 National and International Conferences. Dr. Sharan presented in the 20th Annual Midwest Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference, 2019. She is an active member of the Baker College Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Dr. Sharan is active in many cultural organizations in the community in various capacities. Her love for teaching and her students is what makes her world go round.

Co-presenter: Kristina Marshall, Oakland Community College

Kristina M. Marshall is the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) at Oakland Community College (OCC). She serves in a variety of national diversity leadership roles including the current Co-chair of the National Advisory Council for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education. She is also the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including Crain’s 2021 Notable Executives in DEI. She also is a certified diversity professional through the National Diversity Council. Kristina has many years of professional development experience. She is a national speaker and consultant, focusing on cultural competency and how to address the needs of diverse populations. Marshall possesses a unique understanding of the challenges facing faculty, administrators, students, children and organizations. Her straightforward, common sense approach, and practical strategies address improving dialogue, interaction, and understanding amongst students, faculty, staff and administration. Marshall speaks from personal, classroom and consulting experience; her work has focused on building communities and helping to support inclusive classrooms and workplaces.

Extended Abstract

The difference between Equity vs Equality and its impact on teaching and learning plays a significant factor in the classroom. Understanding the needs of the students in your classroom and their diverse backgrounds, and incorporating tools to help them adapt can reduce their stress and help them succeed. 

Pursuing higher education can be challenging and present a plethora of potential stumbling blocks students have to navigate through. Unfamiliarity with the academia pedagogical practices, such as language, classroom participation, active and collaborative learning, along with lack of awareness of social rules, norms and skills may further isolate our marginalized students.  The pandemic has also further exacerbated some of the self isolating bubbles and silos. 

In this presentation, we will look at scenarios, offer some ideas, case studies, data to provoke curiosity and confidence in student learning. The presentation will include engagement with the audience through a couple of interactive activities to provide a greater appreciation for vocabulary and the way in which we explain things to our students. Furthermore, we will provide a case study to demonstrate how our students learn from diverse experiences and how it can be incorporated into any class or content area. 

This session will acknowledge different aspects of diversity in curriculum design and delivery; provide effective scaffolding strategies for instructional designers or faculty, to make education relevant and representative to all; and provide tools and strategies to improve the learning experiences for marginalized students. In fact, these tools can be helpful to all students. It is important that we find ways to help our students of color succeed!