INFORMS Open Forum

Hello Everyone –

I have  been reading through some blogs on diversity community and came across this one called 'Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Online Classroom' (https://connect.informs.org/diversity/diversity-blog/covid-dei/online-teaching) It's about the shift to online learning during COVID-19, highlighting the struggles some faced without proper tech or quiet spaces to study. The blog resonates with me as it mirrors my own experiences with the shift to online learning, particularly the benefits of having access to lecture notes ahead of classes, enhancing preparedness and interaction. Also, the idea of short video lectures was perfect for me .

 On the flip side, the blog advises against heavy reliance on big exams, but my classes still had them, and that was tough.

 The blog also talks about things like adding alt text to images for students who can't see well, using colors that work for colorblind students, and captioning videos, which are super helpful steps that I rarely saw in action. And it touches on the importance of including diverse examples in lessons, which I think would've made learning even more interesting.

 I'm curious to hear your stories. Have the strategies and practices outlined in the blog been reflected in your online educational experiences? How have you seen inclusion and equity fostered in virtual classrooms? Let's exchange stories and broaden our collective understanding.