Building inclusive science education: Embedding EDIDA for a more diverse and engaged learning experience
Session Type
Panel Discussion
Room
Physics and Astronomy, room 148
Start Date
17-7-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
17-7-2025 11:30 AM
Keywords
EDIDA, UDL, sense of belonging, inclusive teaching practices, STEM, undergraduate education
Primary Threads
Teaching and Learning Science
Abstract
Representation matters in every facet of education, and science is no exception. From the professor leading a class to the images displayed during lectures, the course materials selected, diverse representation is crucial in creating an inclusive learning environment and fostering a sense of belonging (Dewsbery & Brame 2019).
Equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization and accessibility (EDIDA) are essential considerations that shape and inform meaningful, respectful and engaging learning environments. Barriers for incorporating EDIDA for educators include: (1) poor or lack of access to images and resources as diverse as the student population on our campus for enriching lecture materials (Arja, 1995) (Blumberg, 2008), and (2) many faculty do not know where to start or where to access materials that will teach students to think critically about EDIDA-related issues.
In our session, we will present examples of the ways in which we are embedding EDIDA principles in classrooms. Dr. Anita Woods will share her project of partnering with student artists, creating an open resource instructional media database for teaching with diverse and inclusive human images. Dr. Shelby Oke will present examples of large classroom learning activities and content selection. Drs Matt Grol and Aminmohamed Manji will present how an infographic assignment was designed and modelled to incorporate EDIDA in the course deliverable. In her laboratory course, Dr. Oana Birceanu will share how she is implementing universal design for learning (UDL) as well as sharing how we are creating a community of learners and sharing ideas through bimonthly podcasts.
Elements of Engagement
We will share various examples that we have implemented, that include small to large classrooms, as well as within a lab course, across all years of undergraduate studies. Attendees will be provided with a variety of ideas for how to incorporate EDIDA in their own teaching environments.
Building inclusive science education: Embedding EDIDA for a more diverse and engaged learning experience
Physics and Astronomy, room 148
Representation matters in every facet of education, and science is no exception. From the professor leading a class to the images displayed during lectures, the course materials selected, diverse representation is crucial in creating an inclusive learning environment and fostering a sense of belonging (Dewsbery & Brame 2019).
Equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization and accessibility (EDIDA) are essential considerations that shape and inform meaningful, respectful and engaging learning environments. Barriers for incorporating EDIDA for educators include: (1) poor or lack of access to images and resources as diverse as the student population on our campus for enriching lecture materials (Arja, 1995) (Blumberg, 2008), and (2) many faculty do not know where to start or where to access materials that will teach students to think critically about EDIDA-related issues.
In our session, we will present examples of the ways in which we are embedding EDIDA principles in classrooms. Dr. Anita Woods will share her project of partnering with student artists, creating an open resource instructional media database for teaching with diverse and inclusive human images. Dr. Shelby Oke will present examples of large classroom learning activities and content selection. Drs Matt Grol and Aminmohamed Manji will present how an infographic assignment was designed and modelled to incorporate EDIDA in the course deliverable. In her laboratory course, Dr. Oana Birceanu will share how she is implementing universal design for learning (UDL) as well as sharing how we are creating a community of learners and sharing ideas through bimonthly podcasts.