A lot has changed over the past 2 years, where virtual and distance learning have become more broadly used and more widely accepted as common learning platforms. Although the information being taught may be the same, the way it’s being disseminated is very different. Because of this, educators are having to rethink the way their classroom is structured, in order to create and maintain an inclusive space, where everyone contributes and is heard, despite being physically distanced.

Here are some tips you may want to implement, to begin creating or elevating the level of inclusivity in your virtual classroom:

Make The Space Welcoming

You may want to just jump right in and get things started without delay but taking the time to create a more welcoming space can make students feel as though they are wanted and recognized. Although you aren’t physically welcoming students through your classroom door with a high five or pat on the back, you are still inviting them into your classroom space. A few minutes each morning to chat freely or ask questions about their weekend or how they are feeling can go a long way in making them feel welcome and more open to participate in the day ahead. “Our class starts each day in the same routine, so students feel a sense of comfort and familiarity. They know what to expect each morning, so they feel as though they are part of the group,” Glenn, writer at WritingPopulist and AcademAdvisor states.

Make Yourself Accessible

Your day may end when the final ‘bell’ rings and you shut down the computer, but your students and their parents may still want to correspond, ask questions, or reach out for any other reason. You don’t have to make yourself available 24/7, of course, but having an email address that they can send questions to or arrange a virtual meeting with you can help keep communication open. “Having set ‘office hours’ where you aren’t in class, but available for students or parents to contact you regarding class work, problems they are experiencing, or anything else, makes bridging the physical distance challenges much easier,” explains OXEssays and Studydemic education blogger Nicole. You can also arrange for regular weekly or bi-weekly progress meetups with students or parents, so everyone is on the same page with the progress being made and where there is opportunity for improvement.

Understand The Challenges

Distance learning is a totally different way of learning than many students are traditionally accustomed to. For some, the transition will be easy, and they may even see an improvement in their participation, learning and grades. For others, this may be quite challenging, and they may need additional support to keep them engaged, motivated and learning. Recognizing which students may need this help, then providing that guidance and support is essential in creating a more inclusive virtual classroom. It can be easy, especially in the virtual learning platform, for students who aren’t engaging to go unnoticed, start to feel unwelcome or not a part of the class, and start to disengage. Keeping on top of this can help make all students feel as though they play an important role in their class.

Make Everyone’s Voice Heard

It’s a challenge with in-person learning as well - some students are just more vocal in class, participate more and are not afraid to give their opinions. This can be magnified even more so with virtual learning because it’s much easier to be hidden behind a screen, even if you aren’t trying to. Louder voices or those who are quicker on the draw for answers can greatly overshadow those who are more pensive or more passive in their participation. If you are engaging your class in discussions or thought exercises, ensure that each person gets a share of the time. It may even be a good idea to keep the class muted during lessons, and only unmute students when called upon, to prevent them from dominating others. 

Although there are challenges presented with any type of learning environment, there are ways to start overcoming these challenges and improving the way we teach and the way our students learn. These are just a few of the tips you can begin implementing in your virtual class to start developing a more inclusive online space.

About the author

Emily Henry is an expert on creating inclusive virtual classrooms, and a writer at Best Essay Services and Dissertation Writing Services. She implements her expertise in the field as a tutor at Big Assignments Reviews.