Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Resources for Classrooms (MICHAEL SILVA)
Content: The common sense education website for educators focuses on providing education, games and resources to teachers to assist in building digital citizenship amongst their students. Specifically, this resource provides lesson plans to focus on the key elements all students should know when being an active online citizen. To assist in this learning, they also provide activities and games for the students. When to use: This is a great resource for a beginning of the year introduction to online and computer safety before students are allowed access to the computers. By ensuring students know the risks of being online as well as how to behave the teacher can eliminate some behaviour issues before they occur. Benefits and Limitations: The common sense education website has both benefits and limitations to its use. The benefits of this resource is that it is easy to navigate, provides quick lessons and activities to use that are grade specific, these include learning expectations with printable plans. Possible limitation to this resource is that the individual must be an educator with an account created in order to have access to the lesson plans and activities. Audience:The target audience for this resource is K-12 educators. Source:Common Sense Education Post Author: Michael Silva
THE INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS NETWORK (LINDY HUDSON)
link: https://inclusiveschools.org/resources-and-strategies-to-promote-peer-supports/ The Inclusive Schools Network: Resources and Strategies to Promote Peer Supports The Inclusive Schools Network is sponsored by Stetson & Associates Inc. This online resource advocate for accessibility and inclusive educational practises for students with disabilities. Its Resources and Strategies to Promote Peer Supports page provides information on different types of peer tutoring that promote accessibility. The peer tutoring approaches examined (1) cross-age tutoring, (2) peer-assisted learning strategies and (3) reciprocal peer tutoring. There is also a video on formal peer tutoring programs on the page, which provides an introduction to the concept. The general website includes a bank of other accessibility-focused resources and an informative blog. Educators of any teaching group (K-12, post-secondary and adult education) and particularly those in special education, would benefit from this resource. It would definitely be useful for those looking to learn more about methods and approaches to incorporate accessibility and inclusion in their classroom better. Benefits and Limitations The information on peer tutoring methods has significant supporting research, which allows for further investigation into the literature if desired. I was disappointed to see that the video did not have closed captioning, especially for a website promoting accessibility. The general website is easy to navigate; the resource section is well organized, and the blog posts are chronological. The website also has a search bar if you’re looking to investigate a specific topic.
EXPERIENCES CANADA (SONYA MELIM)
link: https://experiencescanada.ca/resources/anti-racism-resources/ The website, "Experiences Canada" presents a number of events and opportunities for youth exchanges, leadership forums and discussion portals that encourage students between the ages of 10-17 to share their experiences. The organization seems to take current events, such as Reconciliation and Black Lives Matter and provides resources for educators, parents, and students to navigate the complex topics. Providing an opportunity for youth to use their voice in connection with the current events that impact their lives and integrating a rich experience of student exchange, would make this a tremendous resource for educators looking to promote authentic and meaningful opportunities for their students. Although the premise of the organization is to promote the issues that are meaningful to youth, there is a risk of not giving some incredibly important topics, such as Black Lives Matter, Reconciliation, LGBTQ2+, mental health and wellness, newcomers, disabilities, and learning disabilities a deep enough resource bank to both reflect and inform. The organization also lists other organizations' resources in its resource bank rather than developing their own. Experiences Canada is a Canadian national registered charity with the mission of helping young Canadians explore their country through exchanges, forums, conferences, etc. Funding partners include the Government of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, and Air Canada, amongst other corporate partners.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is a national news and entertainment channel partially funded by the Canadian Government and advertising revenue. The CBC’s streaming service, GEM, is funded by the CBC, advertising and monthly memberships and provides both contents that can be seen on the CBC channel, as well as original content, such as the docuseries, “You Can’t Ask That.” The 8-episode series has Canadians who share a similar disability answer a series of questions stated people are too afraid to ask. It presents a sincere and humorous approach to learning more about people who live with paralysis, Tourette’s syndrome, visual impairment, autism, limb difference, Down’s Syndrome, facial difference, and Dwarfism. The audience of this series would be those who would already watch the CBC, so likely an older adult audience; however, the series is one that would be equally useful to parents and educators who want to expose a younger generation to learn the about what it is like to live with a disability not only in a personal context as well as a socio-cultural context. The limitations of this series may be that it only has 8 episodes, and there is an opportunity for more Canadian experiences to be explored.
About the resource: According to the website, the “ Harmony Movement provides interactive diversity and equity education programs that empower and inspire youth, educators and those in the social service sector to develop an equity lens, empathy, respect, and leadership skills as leaders for social change.” School, workplace, and community programs are offered through various delivery formats, including a free, three-part online module Educator’s Equity Companion Course. Pros: This resource provides Canadian context, which increases its relevance to Canadian educators, students, businesses and communities. The Harmony Movement was founded in 1994 as a non-profit organization and, according to their site, “to combat inter-racial intolerance and to confront the “us versus them” attitude.” Note: According to their site, the Harmony Movement was forced to close its operations as of June 30, 2019, due to “drastic funding cuts from the Ontario government in equity and inclusion” which “have had a devastating effect to the entire education community as well as the agencies that serve them.” Online resources and information are still accessible and available to the public.
Indigenous Childcare and Early Years Framework (Kim Bradley)
Link: https://8d78e5bf-88d4-471d-acdf-cb386ab446c0.filesusr.com/ugd/09f091_8ee1fda75cb84d07a806a7f2ef715e54.pdf Content: The Indigenous Early Learning Child Care Framework was created to guide the design, delivery, and governance of Indigenous early learning childcare (ELCC). The focus is on the child, self- determination and grounded in culture. The hope is that with new policies and partnerships, we will be able to strengthen Indigenous ELCC in Canada. (Social Development Canada, 2018). The Indigenous Early Learning Child Care Framework sets out a shared vision, principles and a path forward for Indigenous early learning and child care—a Canada where all Indigenous children have the opportunity to experience high-quality, culturally rooted early learning and child care programming (Social Development Canada, 2018). High- quality Indigenous (ELCC) programming can empower young children by giving them a sense of identity. It can provide educational experiences and contribute to their overall health and wellness, which begins in the early years and can continue into adulthood. (Social Development Canada, 2018).
When to use this resource: Most people are not even aware that we have a childcare framework in Ontario http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/ontarioearlyyear.pdf However even early learning professionals are seldom aware that we have an Indigenous Early Learning Framework. These two documents can work together to create a well-rounded early years program, that is inclusive of all children. “The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework represents the Government of Canada and Indigenous peoples’ work to co-develop a transformative Indigenous framework that reflects the unique cultures, aspirations and needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children across Canada. The Framework sets out a shared vision, principles and a path forward for Indigenous early learning and childcare—a Canada where all Indigenous children have the opportunity to experience high-quality, culturally rooted early learning and childcare programming.” (Queens Printer for Ontario, 2018)
Audience: Everyone interested in Indigenous education. Especially those that are just beginning their own journey.
References: Social Development Canada. (2018, September 17). Government of Canada. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/indigenous-early-learning/2018-framework.html Queens Printer for Ontario. (2018) Indigenous Childcare and Early Years Framework, Retrieved from: https://8d78e5bf-88d4-471d-acdf-cb386ab446c0.filesusr.com/ugd/09f091_8ee1fda75cb84d07a806a7f2ef715e54.pdf
Otter (Johnston Volcansek )
Link:https://otter.ai/login i) Content: Otter is a free transcription software that can be used to record and transcribe meetings both in person and over meeting software such as Zoom. It accurately transcribes what is being said and seems to work best when one person is speaking. ii) When to use this source: This source is best used when recording meetings so others have access to the conversation that took place at a later date. I can see this being used by businesses but also could be implemented in an educational setting especially with one-to-one support or with Learning Resource. iii) Benefits & Limitations: The site is easy to navigate, set up and start to use quickly. The benefit of this source is that it is very good at transcribing the conversation that is taking place but it fails to differentiate between the various voices. An attendee or the person managing the meeting would need to go back and insert the names of the person speaking (if necessary) at a later date. It is, however, very good for transcription with one voice so another person can not only hear that person’s voice but see the words in front of them as that person speaks.
The biggest limitation involves the lack of voice recognition so all in a larger group with people speaking one after another there is no differentiation that there is a new speaker unless the listener can differentiate the speaker’s voice. iv) Audience: The audience for this source is possibly small businesses or organizations where the workforce is not always able to meet in the same room. It would also be an excellent resource for those with auditory limitations so they can see what is being said. v) Source: AI Sense Otter Voice Meeting Notes. Otter.ai. (2020). Retrieved 1 October 2020, from https://otter.ai/login.
Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/hKyQTIEjF2Q
Notes on DESIGN Activism (Rula amer)
The Accessible Icon Project This team worked on this dynamic change in the accessible design icon to make it relevant; it reflects how we should describe people with disabilities or, let me say, people with abilities.
How do accessible cities thrive?And how would you “edit” an existing city to make it more inclusive? Brian Glenney and I were asking this question when we started altering public signs marking wheelchair-accessible parking—the blue and white icons designating the so-called “handicapped” spots (Hendren, 2016).
The Accessible Design Project is design activism. It provoked thinking about the notation of accessibility. And we couldn’t have dreamed that MoMA would accession the work for its permanent collection ((Hendren, 2016). The Accessible Icon Project redesigns the decades- old International Symbol of Access. Unlike the previous icon, in which the wheelchair user looks passive and ready to be pushed to a destination, (the new one shows a person in forward motion—(a “driver” in charge of his or her own fate. The designers introduced their version in a street-art campaign, printing it on stickers and pasting it( over older accessibility signs in the Boston area. The redesign has now been officially adopted by some businesses and institutions, and even by such cities as Maiden and Burlington, Massachusetts, and El Paso and Austin, Texas. New York City uses a modified version, with the figure hailing a cab, to denote its accessible taxis. (MOMA, 2009-2011)
When someone might want to use that resource The accessible icon is free to use in the public domain; designers and everyone can use it to contribute and collaborate among people with disabilities and their partners toward a more accessible world. You can download different versions of the accessible icon, including the scalable file to adjust the color size to apply it to print or online mediums.
Benefits This is a reliable source of information about The Accessible Icon Project team provide all information we need to know about to collaborate with such a great project.
Group Roles: Maximizing Group Performance (rula Amer)
Group Roles: Maximizing Group Performance Description This article from the University of Waterloo teaching resources explaining the team roles assigned based on individuals’ strengths or rotated periodically to increase each member’s understanding of the roles and themselves as team members. There are four fundamental roles to consider to collaborate in producing a good performance.
When someone might want to use that resource and benefits Students at university and college can use this method for group roles to maximize their performance when working on a group assignment or project. Link Group Roles: Maximizing Group Performance. Centre for Teaching Excellence, University of Waterloo.https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/developing-assignments/group-work/group-roles-maximizing-group-performance
OK2bme (Seshi Mahendrarajah)
Link: https://ok2bme.ca/
Content OK2BME is an organization set to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) youth in Waterloo region. They have many supports and resources available to kids and teens. The service that OK2BME offers is a set of free, confidential services for youth (kids and teens) wondering about their sexuality or gender identity. They offer counselling for youth to help with questions, concerns and education. It contains information for adults, educators, seniors and service providers with resources and information that support understanding and helping LGBTQ+ youth. OK2BME offers a no cost, confidential counselling program for LGBTQ2+ individuals and couples aged 5-29. It is a huge help for those who do not know where to turn and may want more information.
When to use this resource For any adults who need to support youth with information. As a resource for youth to understand and explore more about themselves and their peers.
Benefits & Limitation This resource is comprehensive and well laid out. It provides multiple mediums, including videos and other articles. Visitors to the webpage may feel overwhelmed with the amount of resources and can spend many hours on reading and research. The site is easy to navigate and and simply organized, with no sidebar menus to distract from the main content of the page’s topic.
Audience All age groups. Directed for youth education and outreach.
Indigenous toronto (Seshi mahendrajah)
Link: https://indigenousto.ca/
Content Indigenous Toronto is a resource bank for Indigenous people and Indigenous information. The organization lists other organizations resources in their resource bank rather than developing their own. It contains resources for various topics related to Indigenous learning, resources, information, volunteer & job opportunities, art, workshops, information centers, events, other websites, studies and more. They aim to provide an access point for Indigenous information/resources for Indigenous people in Toronto but also for others to learn more. The information, connections and facilities found on this website would make this a tremendous resource for educators looking to promote authentic and meaningful opportunities for their students.
When to use this resource This resource is great for finding local resources, websites, locations to learn and participate in Indigenous culture. It contains a lot of resources and location to visit to learn in person from Indigenous leaders.
Benefits and Limitations The website is a great place to start on locations, and websites to encourage people to find resources. The resource bank is well organized by topics.
Audience Indigenous people to find out events, information etc. Others to learn more about Indigenous people, culture and history.
The website Teaching Diverse Learners is published by The Education Alliance at Brown University. With a focus on the education of English language learners (ELL), it provides both teacher resources and current research on 5 main areas: (1) elementary literacy, (2) teaching and learning strategies, (3) assessment, (4) policy, and (5) familial involvement in ELL education. The elementary literacy section is targeted for grade K-6 teachers, but the other topics are not grade-specific and could be useful for any K-12 teacher. The teacher resources would be most beneficial for educators who are looking for classroom materials. At the same time, the current research provides insight into the academic literature and would help those looking to expand their knowledge. Educational administrators would benefit from the Policy section, which offers supportive reasoning for ELL policies as well as a policy assessment tool that can be used to evaluate your own school’s policy.
Benefits & Limitations This website is great for educators looking for targeted content on ELL education. Website navigation is relatively smooth; each topic has its page that is divided into hyperlinked subtopics. There is one small issue in its organization, however... A few of the subtopics have literature reviews, but they’re not listed on the respective current research page; they’re listed on their subtopic’s main page, at the very bottom. If you’re looking for prevailing literature but don’t go through the site thoroughly, the literature reviews could easily be missed.
The Abolitionist Teaching Network (ATN) provides videos, information on upcoming events, and many resources that aim to amplify voices of the marginalized through advocating at the intersection of racism, education, and abolition. They offer grants, an Activist in Residence program, and produce an educational podcast.
When to use this source: This is a resource that can be used when schools or organizations are looking for grants, or who wish to partner with the Activist in Residence program (who aim to build more socially-just schools through a Black queer feminist lens). Educators can also use this resource (the podcasts) when they are looking for professional or personal development.
Benefits & Limitations: Benefits of this website include easy-navigation and clear, jargon-free text to communicate their mission and organizational offerings. The “Resources for Agitators” page is full of 76 diverse and helpful resources categorized by topics including Anti-Racist Teaching Tools, Black Lives Matter, Podcasts, TED Talks, and more. A limitation of the ATN website is that the search option does not pull for information from the site, but rather from their store (for example, “podcasts” yields no results, even though their site has podcasts available). A second limitation is that this resource is based in Ohio, and therefore many of their live events are in the mid-west region of the United States, including their yearly conference in Atlanta, GA (many events are now being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Audience: This resource is designed to support educators at all levels. This includes community organizers, educators, parents, social workers, counselors, lawyers, therapists, artists, health care workers, and incarcerated folx.
Uncomfortable conversations with a black man (alex mitchell)
Link:https://uncomfortableconvos.com/ Content: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man is a website to promote digital spaces on Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube where the host, Emmanuel Acho creates free space to hold conversations with guests where they can ask him uncomfortable questions about race. Acho looks to create a dialogue that is honest, straightforward, and accessible to those seeking answers. His goal is to create a resource that helps mend the racial divide in our world. When to use this source:
This source is to be used for individuals, prominently white people, who are looking to seek honest and educational information to form clarity and understanding around racial inequities and injustices. Benefits & Limitations:
Benefits of this website include easy access to Acho’s Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram profiles. The video interview links are accessible to view on his website directly. The website also provides information about Acho’s reasons for hosting these conversations, links to interviews with media outlets and press coverage, and information about his upcoming book release. Another major benefit of this resource is that the videos are closed captioned. A limitation is that there is no search icon to filter types of information or access a specific theme. Audience:
The content is mainly directed toward white people who are too afraid to ask questions about race. Non-white individuals can also seek this resource to observe the white people’s questions or observe the powerful way Emmanuel Acho constructs his responses and shares information.