Inclusive Learning Environments Research Articles

The Need for a Chainsaw Safety Training Program for Female Forest Landowners

Female forest landowners (FFLO) are increasing in numbers but have been marginalized in technical training programs in the past. We conducted chainsaw safety training programs geared towards FFLO and compared program evaluation results with results from male-dominated chainsaw training workshops. FFLO are limited in their technical knowledge at the beginning of a workshop, are more likely to own different types of chainsaws than male participants, and generally liked having a women-only workshop. The takeaway is that FFLO strive in a women-only environment and that more women-focused extension training programs are needed to provide with a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Changing Nurse Education Meaningfully: Cross-Cultural Collaboration and Cultural Safety in Curriculum Development.

Nurse educators are called to increase diversity in the clinical and faculty workforce; promote safe, inclusive learning environments; develop curricula that provide an anti-biased view of patients and health conditions; and provide students with educational opportunities to learn from individuals with diverse backgrounds. An innovative curriculum design inclusive of Indigenous worldviews was implemented at a tribal college. It provides an exemplar that supports diverse student learning, retention, and graduation. A curriculum inclusive of experiences that promote reflective practices and cultural safety can contribute toward a diverse, inclusive nursing workforce that provides equitable care while addressing social determinants of health.

Cross-cultural instructional design: A framework for multilingual and interdisciplinary education

This review paper presents a comprehensive framework for cross-cultural instructional design, aiming to seamlessly integrate multilingual education with interdisciplinary teaching approaches. With globalization fostering diverse classroom demographics, educators face the challenge of creating inclusive learning environments that cater to students from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Recognizing the importance of addressing cultural and linguistic diversity in education, this framework explores strategies for curriculum designers to incorporate these elements into lesson plans and learning materials effectively. Drawing upon insights from both the humanities and STEM fields, the review elucidates how educators can harness cultural and linguistic diversity to enrich students' learning experiences. By infusing cross-cultural perspectives into educational content, curriculum designers can foster critical thinking, creativity, and global awareness among learners. The paper emphasizes the inherent benefits of exposing students to diverse cultural viewpoints, thereby promoting a more holistic understanding of the subject matter. Furthermore, the review discusses best practices for creating culturally responsive educational content that resonates with learners from diverse backgrounds. It advocates for the development of instructional materials that not only accommodate linguistic variations but also celebrate cultural nuances. Through the incorporation of authentic cultural artifacts, texts, and examples, educators can cultivate a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity while enhancing students' engagement and learning outcomes. Overall, this review underscores the significance of adopting a cross-cultural instructional design framework in contemporary education. By embracing cultural and linguistic diversity as integral components of the learning process, educators can empower students to navigate an increasingly interconnected world with sensitivity, empathy, and proficiency. This framework serves as a roadmap for educators seeking to create inclusive learning environments that foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. Keywords: Cross-Cultural, Instructional Design, Multilingual Education, Interdisciplinary Approaches, Cultural Diversity, Linguistic Diversity.

Inclusive curriculum design: Meeting the diverse needs of students for social improvement

Inclusive curriculum design is a critical framework in contemporary education aimed at addressing the diverse needs of students for fostering social improvement. This review explores the foundational principles and practical strategies of inclusive curriculum design to enhance educational equity and societal progress. Inclusive curriculum design prioritizes the creation of learning environments that accommodate the varied backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles of all students. It recognizes the importance of representation, diversity, and inclusivity in course content, instructional methods, and assessment practices. By embracing diversity and equity as core values, inclusive curriculum design seeks to dismantle barriers to learning and promote equal opportunities for academic success. Central to inclusive curriculum design is the concept of universal design for learning (UDL), which emphasizes flexible instructional approaches that cater to individual differences. UDL encourages educators to provide multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression to support diverse learners effectively. Moreover, inclusive curriculum design promotes the incorporation of culturally responsive teaching practices that validate students' identities and experiences. By integrating diverse perspectives into the curriculum, educators can foster empathy, understanding, and respect among students, contributing to a more inclusive and harmonious society. Through the implementation of inclusive curriculum design, educational institutions can play a pivotal role in advancing social improvement by cultivating inclusive learning environments where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. By embracing diversity and equity in curriculum design, educators can nurture the next generation of compassionate and socially conscious citizens who are equipped to contribute positively to a more inclusive and equitable society. Keywords: Education, Curriculum Design, Social Improvement, Diverse Needs, Students, Review.

Mapping of school teachers’ digital competency in the context of digital infrastructure: a systematic review and empirical study of India

PurposeThis research paper investigates the theoretical frameworks encompassing a nuanced analysis of the digital divide in the Indian educational context, recognising that it is not merely a matter of technology access but also the ability to effectively use the resource for enhancing learning outcomes. This research provides valuable insights for fostering a more equitable and digitally inclusive learning environment by integrating conceptual insights with empirical evidence. The New Education Policy (NEP), India 2020 firmly emphasises the appropriate integration of technology into the teaching-learning process to develop relevant competencies. The pertinent question is, for India to conquer the second digital divide challenge, is the pace of technology accessibility and skill development sufficient?Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a desk research, using secondary data from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+), the Indian Government database of schools. A structured dataset has been created for all years, where states are grouped in descending ranking order of availability of infrastructure and teachers trained. A colour key segregates the States into three zones demonstrating their different levels of performance – high (green), moderate (blue) and low (yellow). The purpose is to identify state/s that have moved from one zone to another and, thereafter, analyse the reasons behind the movement.FindingsAlmost all states remained in the same digital resource availability zone for the four years studied, except for a limited few. Despite government interventions through higher budget allocation and targeted policies, growth rates of teacher training in computer usage slowed down post-COVID-19. A high positive correlation between Teachers' training in computer usage and the availability of computer and Internet facilities in schools indicates that an increase in digital infrastructure in schools is highly linked to teachers' training in computer usage and would ultimately translate into better use of digital resources to impart equitable education opportunities.Research limitations/implicationsPrimary data collection through interviews might have added to the critical findings. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further on a case-by-case basis for any state under consideration.Practical implicationsEnhancing digital infrastructure in schools and building digital competence in teachers must be understood in the context of the learning organisation and the beneficiaries' attitudes at the meso-level to expand stakeholder motivation towards digital internalisation. This requires continuous engagement with education institutions as professional learning organisations, which will thereby help develop a decentralised context for teacher competency building. Collaboration, continuous monitoring of the outcomes of professional development programs, and sharing best practices are crucial in improving teacher readiness for digital education.Social implicationsAccess to tangible resources, such as computers, Internet connectivity and educational software, and developing intangible resources, such as teacher digital competencies, will play a pivotal role in shaping students' learning experiences. By studying the discrepancies in digital resource accessibility and teacher technology adoption, this research endeavours to add to the efforts towards enhancing the educational landscape.Originality/valueThis paper seeks to address a critical issue in the Indian education system and contribute to the ongoing effort to prevent the widening of the second and third digital divide in schools, and help achieve UN SDG Goals 4 and 10.

Inclusive curriculum design: Meeting the diverse needs of students for social improvement

Inclusive curriculum design is a critical framework in contemporary education aimed at addressing the diverse needs of students for fostering social improvement. This review explores the foundational principles and practical strategies of inclusive curriculum design to enhance educational equity and societal progress. Inclusive curriculum design prioritizes the creation of learning environments that accommodate the varied backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles of all students. It recognizes the importance of representation, diversity, and inclusivity in course content, instructional methods, and assessment practices. By embracing diversity and equity as core values, inclusive curriculum design seeks to dismantle barriers to learning and promote equal opportunities for academic success. Central to inclusive curriculum design is the concept of universal design for learning (UDL), which emphasizes flexible instructional approaches that cater to individual differences. UDL encourages educators to provide multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression to support diverse learners effectively. Moreover, inclusive curriculum design promotes the incorporation of culturally responsive teaching practices that validate students' identities and experiences. By integrating diverse perspectives into the curriculum, educators can foster empathy, understanding, and respect among students, contributing to a more inclusive and harmonious society. Through the implementation of inclusive curriculum design, educational institutions can play a pivotal role in advancing social improvement by cultivating inclusive learning environments where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. By embracing diversity and equity in curriculum design, educators can nurture the next generation of compassionate and socially conscious citizens who are equipped to contribute positively to a more inclusive and equitable society.

Inclusive Pedagogy: Systematic Review on Exploring Stakeholder Engagement in Multigrade Classroom Teaching

Multigrade education, characterized by the instruction of students from different grade levels in the same classroom, has garnered significant attention in educational research due to its prevalence in diverse global contexts. This comprehensive literature review offers a nuanced exploration of multigrade education, synthesizing empirical research, theoretical frameworks, and practical insights to provide a holistic understanding of its complexities and implications. The review begins by delineating the global landscape of multigrade classrooms, examining their prevalence, significance, and diverse manifestations across various regions and socio-economic contexts. It delves into the positive aspects of multigrade education, such as fostering collaborative learning environments, maximizing resource utilization, and addressing educational inequalities, while also addressing the negative effects of inadequate support, including teacher burnout and limited access to resources. Central to the literature review is the examination of stakeholder engagement in multigrade education, with a focus on the roles of educators, policymakers, parents, and communities in supporting effective teaching and learning practices. Through an interdisciplinary lens, the review analyzes strategies to maximize stakeholder support, including investments in professional development for teachers, equitable allocation of resources, community involvement, and policy advocacy. Furthermore, it explores culturally-appropriate interventions and collaborative teaching practices to address the unique challenges faced by multigrade educators and students across diverse cultural landscapes and socio-economic environments. By offering actionable recommendations grounded in empirical evidence and best practices, the literature review aims to inform policy, practice, and future research directions in multigrade education, ultimately advocating for inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive and succeed, irrespective of their grade level or school size.

Cross-cultural instructional design: A framework for multilingual and interdisciplinary education

This review paper presents a comprehensive framework for cross-cultural instructional design, aiming to seamlessly integrate multilingual education with interdisciplinary teaching approaches. With globalization fostering diverse classroom demographics, educators face the challenge of creating inclusive learning environments that cater to students from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Recognizing the importance of addressing cultural and linguistic diversity in education, this framework explores strategies for curriculum designers to incorporate these elements into lesson plans and learning materials effectively. Drawing upon insights from both the humanities and STEM fields, the review elucidates how educators can harness cultural and linguistic diversity to enrich students' learning experiences. By infusing cross-cultural perspectives into educational content, curriculum designers can foster critical thinking, creativity, and global awareness among learners. The paper emphasizes the inherent benefits of exposing students to diverse cultural viewpoints, thereby promoting a more holistic understanding of the subject matter. Furthermore, the review discusses best practices for creating culturally responsive educational content that resonates with learners from diverse backgrounds. It advocates for the development of instructional materials that not only accommodate linguistic variations but also celebrate cultural nuances. Through the incorporation of authentic cultural artifacts, texts, and examples, educators can cultivate a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity while enhancing students' engagement and learning outcomes. Overall, this review underscores the significance of adopting a cross-cultural instructional design framework in contemporary education. By embracing cultural and linguistic diversity as integral components of the learning process, educators can empower students to navigate an increasingly interconnected world with sensitivity, empathy, and proficiency. This framework serves as a roadmap for educators seeking to create inclusive learning environments that foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

Personalised Learning Assistance System for Slow Learners

The Personalized Learning Assistance System (PLAS) is an innovative platform that utilizes AI/ML algorithms to cater to the diverse needs of slow learners in educational institutions. By analysing student learning behaviours, PLAS categorizes them into appropriate groups and provides tailored support. Slow learners can access the system through a dedicated portal, where they can seek assistance from their peers, available teachers, or engage with e-learning videos. The platform also features a portal for advanced learners, enabling them to mentor and guide their peers or access additional e- learning resources. Furthermore, teachers can log into the system to upload student performance data and identify those who require extra support. PLAS aims to foster an inclusive learning environment by leveraging technology to personalize the educational experience, ultimately empowering slow learners to achieve academic successthrough a comprehensive support network.

AI in teacher education: Unlocking new dimensions in teaching support, inclusive learning, and digital literacy

AbstractBackgroundAI can positively influence teaching by offering support for classroom management, creating inclusive learning environments, enhancing digital skills, personalizing teaching methods, and strengthening teacher‐student relationships.ObjectivesThis quantitative research study investigates the opportunities, difficulties, and consequences of incorporating AI into teacher education.MethodsData were collected through structured questionnaires from 202 college students and 68 staff members. The analysis was conducted using SPSS software.ResultsThe study provides a novel contribution by its thorough investigation of the diverse effects of AI on teacher education. It offers beneficial perspectives on the possible benefits and challenges, illuminating the far‐reaching changes that AI could bring to the terrain of learning and instruction and teaching methods in the time yet to come. The research sought to assess the effect of AI adoption in teacher education across five main dimensions: (i) its influence on teaching support and classroom management, (ii) its role in creating inclusive and accessible learning environments, (iii) its contribution to improving teachers' digital literacy and computer skills, and enhancing access to digital teaching resources, (iv) its positive influence on identifying students' learning styles and facilitating the adoption of diverse teaching methods, and (v) its role in strengthening teacher‐student relationships through improved interactions.ConclusionThe findings elucidate the promising opportunities that AI presents in the field of teacher education, along with the obstacles that require resolution for the effective fusion of AI educational settings.

Teachers Transformative Leadership Skills and Promotion of Inclusive Learning Environments

This study evaluates the transformative leadership abilities of teachers and their endeavors to foster an inclusive learning environment. The findings reveal that teachers exhibit optimistic attitudes and unwavering commitment to promoting diversity through their vision, inclusive practices, student empowerment, innovative teaching methods, adaptability, and willingness to take risks. They proactively confront and challenge bigotry and preconceptions. The study establishes a robust and statistically significant association between the leadership abilities of instructors and their endeavors towards inclusivity, indicating that enhancements in leadership skills have a favorable effect on promoting inclusiveness. Suggested measures encompass extensive teacher training, allocation of resources, adaptability of curriculum, collaboration, training in cultural competence, provision of accessible materials, integration of support services, awareness of bias, and research. The purpose of these initiatives is to improve inclusive education by guaranteeing fair and equal opportunities for all pupils to receive high-quality education.

Analyzing the Right to Education for Marginalized and Vulnerable Populations: Legal Strategies for Access and Quality

The right to education, recognized and protected globally, serves as a vital catalyst for marginalized individuals—both adults and children—to escape poverty and actively engage in their communities. It empowers women, shields children from exploitation, upholds human rights, fosters democracy, and contributes to environmental preservation. Education, a fundamental human right, intertwines with other rights, shaping the full development of individuals and promoting global understanding. Despite its critical role, challenges persist in ensuring universal access to basic education, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue for a more equitable society. Despite the right to education being a cornerstone of human rights, marginalized and vulnerable groups struggle to obtain quality education. This paper dissects legal frameworks guaranteeing this right, particularly how they can be utilized to ensure access and quality for these populations. The paper explores international and national legal instruments recognizing the right to education. It then delves into the challenges faced by marginalized groups, including geographic isolation, poverty, discrimination, and disabilities. The core analysis focuses on legal strategies to overcome these barriers, such as litigation, policy reform advocacy, and leveraging human rights mechanisms. By examining successful legal tactics, this paper aims to provide a blueprint for promoting accessible and high-quality education for all. This includes fostering inclusive learning environments, culturally relevant teaching methods, and addressing the specific needs of marginalized groups. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to a more equitable and just education system that empowers everyone to reach their full potential.

Translate Self-Review (TSR) Method Based on Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) for Arabic Writing Learning in Higher Education

Arabic writing skills at the higher education level were still experiencing stagnation, which required efforts to improve learning. This research was presented as an exploration of overcoming this problem. This research aimed to describe the application of the Translate Self-Review (TSR) method based on the Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) approach in arabic writing learning in higher education along with students' perceptions of this learning. This research used qualitative-descriptive method, and data was collected through questionnaire, observations, and documentation, then it was analyzed using Miles and Huberman analysis techniques. This research results highlighted that although there was a positive response from students towards the use of this method in creating an enjoyable learning experience and facilitating cross-cultural relationships, there was still a gap between theory and practice, indicating obstacles in improving Arabic writing skills in elementary-level inclusive classes. This research underlined the importance of adapting learning methods that were more appropriate to students' level of understanding and extending them to higher levels of education to obtain a more holistic picture. The TSR method based CRT approach offered potential in creating an inclusive learning environment, but needed modification to effectively meet the needs of diverse learners and improve Arabic writing skills at the higher education level.

“I Am Not Complaining”

This study explores the learning needs of international students at a Canadian private university. Through a qualitative content analysis of 580 students’ emails, we identified and examined 819 requests and complaints The analysis highlighted trends about due dates, assignment resubmissions, regrading, and plagiarism issues, leading to the identification of five primary needs: improved internet access and digital literacy support, acknowledgment of cultural differences, assignment design without assumptions, accessible learning management systems, and inclusive learning environments. These findings underline the necessity of empathetic listening to develop strategies that facilitate international students' transition to Canadian higher education, enhancing their learning experiences. The research suggests innovative approaches for incorporating international students' perspectives into course and program design, advocating for active engagement with these students to create educational environments that are inclusive and responsive to their unique needs.

A crosswalk of digital storytelling and multilingual learning

This study draws on the practice of digital storytelling (DST) to address the limited use of technology in middle school multilingual classrooms. Through critical and multiliteracy frameworks, DST can help create a more engaging and inclusive learning environment that supports the literacy development of multilingual learners (MLs). After reviewing and synthesizing empirical studies on DST as it applies to the middle school years, we provide a crosswalk focusing on four core areas: content, context, communication and language, and student identity. The crosswalk reveals how DST integrates Web 2.0 technology and promotes language and literacy development among middle school MLs.

Determinants of well-being factors mediated by teacher commitment

The purpose of this study is to investigate the variables that affect students' academic well-being. This study found that individualized teaching, family support for learning and teacher dedication are some of the variables that have an impact on children's well-being. The study used a quantitative methodology with 57 students as the sample size. A questionnaire was used to collect the data and random sampling is used in the sampling process. Some of the data analysis methods used in PLS-SEM include path diagram models, validity tests, reliability tests, model fits, R squares and modified R squares, predictive relevance, collinearity, direct and  indirect effects and hypothesis testing. The findings of the study demonstrate that well-being is significantly impacted by directly differentiated instruction that is customized to each student's needs and traits. The well-being of students is significantly impacted by parental learning support. Evaluation of the indirect effects reveals that the differentiated learning variable through teacher devotion significantly affects students' well-being. Parental support's indirect influence on the learning variable has a significant effect on children's wellbeing similar to how teacher dedication serves as a mediator. The research contribution to the development of literature is related to how the role of parent support in learning has led to increased teacher commitment. Effective implementation of individualized instruction and integration of parental assistance in learning into the learning process are accessible to teachers who have a strong dedication to their career. A committed teacher will create an inclusive learning environment that will ultimately realize the overall well-being of students.

Contemporary Issues in Higher Education: Diversity, Inclusion, Management and Governance

Purpose: Teachers, students, and the administration of higher education institutions face a variety of opportunities and challenges as a result of diversity and inclusion. This study looks at diversity and inclusion as a current concern in postsecondary education from the perspectives of instructors, students, and institutional administration. It aims to offer suggestions for dealing with these problems in universities. Higher education institutions are independent and not subject to government oversight in the same manner as public sector organizations, despite receiving significant public funding. The governance, management, and autonomous status of higher education institutions are other topics covered in this work.
 Methodology: This review draws from inclusion theory which has transformed the view on diversity management from preventing discrimination, which suits the moral view on equality as procedural or individual justice, to ensuring inclusion, which fits the moral view on equality as recognition of diversity.  The information is based on literature from various sources.
 Findings: This study highlights that diversity and inclusion creates a better workplace for everyone while creating an inclusive learning environment. Good governance assures the quality of decision-making hence promotes effective delivery of educational services in a higher learning institution.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This review article discusses various initiatives, strategies and challenges on diversity and inclusion in higher education as a contemporary issue. The paper also discusses the differences in management and governance as applied in higher education.

A Research Paper on Social Media Effects

The topic of social media is interesting to talk about and is also related to learning about the human brain and how humans Interact on social media. However, social media is most important for learning purposes. This is Where everyone can share their daily tasks, activities, routines, etc on social media, also another use is that we can gain knowledge through these platforms for fulfilling our general knowledge. Social media is like a weapon that can be used for our profit or also misused it can be useful constructively or destructively depending on people’s psychology, nature, perspective, and ideology, Social media platforms have transcended their initial purpose of connecting individuals and have emerged as powerful tools for educational purposes. This research paper explores the educational potential of social media platforms, examining their effectiveness in enhancing learning experiences, facilitating collaboration among students and educators, and expanding access to educational resources. review of relevant literature and case studies, this paper highlights the benefits, challenges, and best practices associated with integrating social media into educational settings. By understanding the opportunities and limitations of social media in education, educators and policymakers can harness its potential to create more engaging and inclusive learning environments. Despite extensive research results, this paper can be useful in proposing an effective plan to enhance the academic performance of students by improving the use of social media sites, The use of social media has made rapid growth in the past decades. This growth makes it very popular for communication amongst university students, especially Tabuk University students. These social websites can be a good way to exchange information between students and even with their teachers. However, excessive social media can affect the student's academic performance and make this use in question. Results of this paper can be useful in proposing an effective plan to enhance students' academic performance by improving the use of social media sites. These social websites can be a good manner to exchange information between students and their teachers. However, excessive social media can affect the student's academic performance and make this use in question.

The Syllabus: A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Nursing Education.

Preparing a diverse nursing workforce skilled at caring for diverse populations is essential for achieving health equity in our society. Academic organizations, schools of nursing, and faculty are responsible for creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) learning environments. The obligation for DEI initiatives in nursing education is guided by professional position statements and accreditation criteria. The course syllabus is an inclusive strategy for setting the classroom tone at the start of the semester. Faculty can leverage the syllabus to provide explicit rhetoric for a diversity-centered educational climate. This article provides a sample DEI syllabus statement developed by the authors using existing organizational policy terminologies and which was reviewed by a DEI team including the nursing dean, DEI champions, and the university legal department. A carefully crafted syllabus statement is a purposeful acknowledgement of DEI as a core value in nursing education and may positively affect students' impression of a course. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(X):XXX-XXX.].

Attitudes About Inclusive Preschool Education Among Parents of Children Without Disability: Generalized Social Justice Orientation and Specific Inclusive Concerns

To make inclusive learning environments accessible, it is critical that parents of children without disability select inclusive alternatives when making decisions about their child’s preschool placement. This study examined attitudes toward inclusive education among parents of children without disability across 18 state-funded pre-kindergarten (pre-k) programs in Georgia. Participants were 114 parents of children without disability attending either a standard ( n = 78) or inclusive classroom ( n = 34). Results showed that most parents (79%) did not intentionally select one classroom type over another and that attitudes about inclusive education did not differ by classroom type. Attitudes about inclusive education were associated with specific inclusion concerns and parents’ generalized social justice attitudes. The relation between generalized social justice attitudes and attitudes about inclusive education was mediated by parents’ specific concerns about inclusive education. Implications for efforts to promote positive attitudes about inclusive preschool education among parents of children without disability are discussed.