Inclusive Instruction Pathway
Overview of the Inclusive Instruction Pathway
When students feel seen, valued, and part of a learning community, they are more motivated and prepared to succeed in our courses. Week 1 introductions help lay the foundation for belonging, and sustaining that sense of connection requires teaching and course design that address traditional classroom power dynamics, support students with disabilities and varied learning needs, and prioritize justice and equity across the curriculum. The Inclusive Instruction Pathway in the Pathways to Instructional Excellence program is designed for faculty, course designers, and subject matter experts (SMEs) who want to create learning experiences that promote learner accessibility, support critical engagement with complex social issues and diverse viewpoints, and celebrate cultural diversity.
Essential Question for Inclusive Instruction
How do I cultivate a learning environment where every student feels they belong, their strengths are valued, and diverse ways of learning are supported?
Wilmington University's Academic Values
- Respect diverse talents and ways of learning.
- Cultivate a sense of belonging as part of a diverse learning community.
The Inclusive Instruction Pathway translates these essential questions and academic values into practice. Early pathway courses introduce foundational teaching and course design strategies for ensuring accessibility and belongingness among learners. Mastery and Exemplary-level courses focus on more targeted interventions, such as infusing ethical decision-making into coursework, preventing and responding to trauma in the classroom, and expanding the scope of course content to be more globally representative. Through our live workshops and self-paced courses, faculty gain the cultural awareness needed to serve our diverse community of learners.
Courses in the Inclusive Instruction Pathway
| PIE Progression Level | PIE Course |
|---|---|
| Proficient, Elective | Introduction to Inclusive Teaching |
| Mastery, Elective | Teaching Ethical Decision Making |
| Mastery, Elective | Trauma Informed Approaches to Teaching |
| Mastery, Elective | Universal Design for Learning |
| Exemplary, Elective | Centering Global Perspectives in the Classroom |
The pathway is designed to cultivate both practical competencies and professional values. Faculty can expect to strengthen the inclusive teaching skills and instructional priorities highlighted below.
Skills
- Effectively using digital accessibility tools
- Infusing ethics education
- Addressing systemic and interpersonal discrimination
- Evaluating cultural representation in the curriculum
Values
- Understanding diverse learner identities, experiences, and needs
- Respect for multiple perspectives and ways of learning
- Opportunity through equitable access to learning and support
- Responsiveness to student wellness, belonging, and success
- Caring through inclusive learning environments and meaningful support
Continue building expertise in equitable and inclusive teaching.
The WilmU Learning Center provides access to pathway workshops and professional development opportunities that support inclusive instruction and course design.