Teaching and Learning in the Diverse Classroom, Cornell University

Student

Role: Student
Term: Fall 2021

Course Description: U.S.-based and higher education-centered, the Teaching & Learning in the Diverse Classroom MOOC is a self-paced online course for anyone with teaching responsibilities, at any level of diversity expertise. Modules explore strategies for inclusive course design, social identity and self-reflection, and pedagogical practices that effectively support student engagement and a sense of belonging across difference.

Course Components: This was an asynchronous course comprised of five modules. Course participation was evaluated in group discussions within Cornell’s Center for Teaching Innovation Graduate Teaching Fellows Program.

Discussion Facilitator

Role: Facilitator
Term: Fall 2022, Spring 2024

Course Description and Components: Same as above.

My role: As a discussion facilitator, I created discussion questions pertaining to modules from the course. Within a meeting of the Center for Teaching Innovation Graduate Teaching Fellows, I led small groups through the discussion questions and facilitated a large group discussion.

Sample materials: My discussion questions for a course module entitled “Institutional Change” are provided below:

1. Think of a diversity, equity, or inclusive teaching initiative you have seen at Cornell that operates across multiple departments, an entire college, or the university as a whole (Examples: DEI offices in a college, Belonging at Cornell, Diversity Programs in Engineering, etc.). What are the challenges and benefits of these broader initiatives?
   
2. Consider the same program(s) as in question #1. How do you think the impact of these programs can be improved or maintained in the future?
   
3. After this course, what do you want to continue to learn more about?