The Path Model & Inclusive Classroom Environments
Type of Presentation
Panel (1 hour and 15 minutes presentation total for two or more presenters)
Target Audience
Higher Education
Location
Room 1002
Proposal
As librarians and educators, we want our classrooms to be effective, inclusive spaces for all students as they develop the skills needed to become information fluent. We can support this by paying attention not only to student demographics but also to the classroom climate. As we progress toward creating and maintaining an inclusive classroom environment, we are likely to encounter stumbling blocks and hurdles along the way. A model from the field of organization development can help us better understand this process.
“The Path from Exclusive Club to Inclusive Organization” depicts the stages encountered when any group of people transitions from being monocultural and exclusive to multicultural and inclusive. This model can bring an awareness to us as librarians that race, which is a fact of life for members of certain identity groups, is a factor in every class. This knowledge can bring about subtle changes to the ways in which we engage students. Being conscientious about which examples we use in classroom demonstrations and discussions can make a significant difference in the climate of the classroom, especially for those who are not members of the majority group. We can further integrate these considerations into our one-on-one interactions with students at the reference desk by being aware that not everyone is at the same point on the Path.
In this panel session, the presenters will introduce the Path Model and share how it can help us create and maintain an inclusive classroom environment that supports all of our students’ learning.
Short Description
In this session, the presenters will introduce a model from the field of organization development, called “The Path from Exclusive Club to Inclusive Organization.” The Path Model shows the stages encountered when a group or organization transitions from being monocultural and exclusive to multicultural and inclusive. The application of this model to our teaching can help us better understand and anticipate the stumbling blocks we are likely to encounter when creating and maintaining inclusive classroom environments.
Keywords
diversity; inclusion; organizational culture; organization development; inclusive classroom; professional development; teacher training; self-reflection
Publication Type and Release Option
Event
Recommended Citation
Ghouse, Nikhat J. and Alabi, Jaena, "The Path Model & Inclusive Classroom Environments" (2017). Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy. 33.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/2017/2017/33
The Path Model & Inclusive Classroom Environments
Room 1002
As librarians and educators, we want our classrooms to be effective, inclusive spaces for all students as they develop the skills needed to become information fluent. We can support this by paying attention not only to student demographics but also to the classroom climate. As we progress toward creating and maintaining an inclusive classroom environment, we are likely to encounter stumbling blocks and hurdles along the way. A model from the field of organization development can help us better understand this process.
“The Path from Exclusive Club to Inclusive Organization” depicts the stages encountered when any group of people transitions from being monocultural and exclusive to multicultural and inclusive. This model can bring an awareness to us as librarians that race, which is a fact of life for members of certain identity groups, is a factor in every class. This knowledge can bring about subtle changes to the ways in which we engage students. Being conscientious about which examples we use in classroom demonstrations and discussions can make a significant difference in the climate of the classroom, especially for those who are not members of the majority group. We can further integrate these considerations into our one-on-one interactions with students at the reference desk by being aware that not everyone is at the same point on the Path.
In this panel session, the presenters will introduce the Path Model and share how it can help us create and maintain an inclusive classroom environment that supports all of our students’ learning.
