Diversity and Inclusion in Education from Coursera

Student diversity is becoming the rule rather than the exception in education systems across the world. Students bring to classroom different characteristics such as ability and disability, socio-economic background, race, ethnicity, and cultural background, beliefs and religion, and gender characteristics. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all (United Nations, 2015).

However, creating inclusive quality education for all remains a ubiquitous challenge faced by educators faced with increasing student diversity. And certain groups of students are more likely to experience barriers to access, participate and success in education.

During this course, you will:

Develop a critical understanding of the concepts and assumptions about diversity and difference, including notions of ability and disability, socio-economic background, race, ethnicity, and cultural background, beliefs and religion, and gender.

Develop awareness of historical and contemporary definitions of inclusive education, taking into account policy, theories and models.

Develop the ability to critically analyse contexts in order to identify barriers to developing inclusive and equitable quality education for all learners.

Develop knowledge about ways to develop inclusive and equitable quality education for all learners, taking into account their diverse characteristics and needs.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to the Course and Conceptualising diversity in education

This week focuses on Conceptualising Diversity and Difference in education.

Week 2: Responding to diversity in education

This week focuses on Inclusion in Education and different ways of responding to student diversity.

Week 3: Experiencing diversity in education: barriers and facilitators

This week introduces different approaches to analyse educational contexts and educational responses: the medical, and social models, and the biopsychosocial approach. It also focuses on student voice and student experiences of inclusion and exclusion in education.

Week 4: Developing inclusive, equitable quality education for All

This week focuses on different responses to student diversity and their role in developing inclusive education: inclusive educators, individualised planning, differentiation, Inclusive Pedagogies, Universal Design for Learning. It also provides a short introduction to the challenges and resources to teaching different groups of students.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Required for individuals seeking a comprehensive grasp of equity and accessibility for diverse learner populations

Taught by instructors with established expertise in the provision of inclusive education

Develops deep understanding of barriers to inclusion, empowering learners to identify and address them

Explored through the lens of various learner dimensions, ensuring broad applicability

Covers inclusion as a collaborative endeavor, encompassing educators, learners, and support systems

Suitable for educators transitioning to more inclusive and equitable practices

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Diversity and Inclusion in Education with these activities:

Explore online resources on inclusive education

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Expand knowledge and access to practical tools by exploring reputable online resources on inclusive education.

Browse courses on Online Resources

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Identify reputable websites and organizations providing resources on inclusive education
Explore and evaluate the resources, identifying those most relevant to course topics
Create a curated list of the most valuable resources and share it with classmates

Review concepts of diversity and inclusion

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Reinforces foundational knowledge of diversity and inclusion, ensuring a strong base for deeper understanding.

Browse courses on Diversity and Inclusion

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Review lecture notes or textbooks on concepts of diversity and inclusion
Identify key theories and models related to diversity and inclusion
Reflect on personal experiences or observations related to diversity and inclusion

Review key concepts of diversity and inclusion

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Begin the course with a solid understanding of foundational concepts to enhance comprehension of course material.

Browse courses on Diversity

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Re-read syllabus and course description
Review lecture notes on diversity and inclusion
Participate in online discussions related to diversity and inclusion

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Facilitate a discussion group on barriers to inclusion

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Engage with peers to foster critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills.

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Prepare discussion questions related to barriers to inclusion in education
Facilitate a group discussion, encouraging diverse perspectives and respectful dialogue
Summarize the key points and provide a brief reflection on the experience

Analyze case studies on inclusive education

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Develop critical thinking skills and practical knowledge by examining real-world examples of inclusive education in action.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Select a case study relevant to course topics
Read and analyze the case study, identifying key issues and challenges
Develop a plan for addressing the challenges identified in the case study
Present findings and recommendations to classmates or instructor

Design an inclusive lesson plan

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Apply knowledge and skills to create a tangible resource that demonstrates understanding of inclusive teaching practices.

Browse courses on Lesson Planning

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Identify learning objectives and student diversity in the target classroom
Research and select inclusive teaching strategies
Develop a lesson plan that incorporates differentiated instruction and UDL principles
Reflect on the lesson plan and identify areas for improvement

Career center

Learners who complete Diversity and Inclusion in Education will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Diversity and Inclusion Specialist

Diversity and Inclusion Specialists are responsible for creating and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives within organizations. They work to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and have equal opportunities to succeed. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing all aspects of human resources within an organization. They work to ensure that employees are hired, trained, and compensated fairly. They also work to create a positive and inclusive work environment. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people to overcome personal and social challenges. They work with individuals, families, and communities to provide support and resources. Social Workers often work with diverse populations, and they need to be able to understand and respect different cultures. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Psychologist

Psychologists study human behavior and mental processes. They work with individuals, families, and groups to help them understand and overcome psychological challenges. Psychologists often work with diverse populations, and they need to be able to understand and respect different cultures. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They research different economic systems and how they have impacted different cultures. Economists often work with diverse populations, and they need to be able to understand and respect different cultures. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Teacher

Teachers work with students to help them learn and grow. They create a positive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel welcome and respected. Teachers need to be able to understand and meet the needs of diverse learners. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices. This course would be particularly relevant for teachers who work with students from diverse backgrounds..

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Counselor

Counselors help people to overcome personal and social challenges. They work with individuals, families, and groups to provide support and guidance. Counselors often work with diverse populations, and they need to be able to understand and respect different cultures. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor

Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters and represent them in court. They need to be able to understand and respect different cultures, as they often work with clients from diverse backgrounds. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Historian

Historians study the past and how it has shaped the present. They research different historical events and how they have impacted different cultures. Historians often work with diverse populations, and they need to be able to understand and respect different cultures. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Journalist

Journalists report on current events and investigate important issues. They need to be able to understand and respect different cultures, as they often report on stories that affect diverse populations. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study human societies and social behavior. They research social problems and develop solutions to improve the lives of people. Sociologists often work with diverse populations, and they need to be able to understand and respect different cultures. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists study politics and government. They research different political systems and how they have evolved over time. Political Scientists often work with diverse populations, and they need to be able to understand and respect different cultures. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human cultures and societies. They research different cultures and how they have evolved over time. Anthropologists often work with diverse populations, and they need to be able to understand and respect different cultures. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's physical and human geography. They research different regions of the world and how they have been shaped by human activity. Geographers often work with diverse populations, and they need to be able to understand and respect different cultures. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations. They work with the media and the public to promote a positive image of their organization. Public Relations Specialists need to be able to understand and respect different cultures, as they often work with diverse audiences. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in the concepts of diversity and inclusion. It teaches how to identify and address barriers to inclusion and how to develop inclusive policies and practices.

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