On Mar, 31st 2022

We can all agree we want to make our classes inclusive and accessible to diverse audiences. Despite the barriers we all know exist, the real problem is that we often focus more on the content we are teaching than the results we are creating.

Yet, we can agree it’s true that the more students can focus on the material, the more impact we have.

That’s why, to achieve the goal, we need to create teams of diverse student members. Here’s how—there are three steps:

1. Realization: explain how heterogeneous groups have a variety of complementary problem-solving approaches, and how the result is better problem solving.
2. Respect: build respect among the student teams. And,
3. Regroup: form new groups with team members from a variety of backgrounds.

Not only does that achieve the goal of making our classes more inclusive and accessible, it also prepares students for working in cross-cultural teams, and to innovate through cross-pollination of ideas. And it enhances the reputation of your department as one which serves a diverse set of students and thereby brings more applications for admission to your university from a broad range of students.