The Ones Too Often Left Behind In Higher Education
Nov 30, 2023
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Todd Zakrajsek discusses the ones too often left behind in higher education, including neurodiverse learners, first-gen students, and marginalized groups. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the challenges faced by students in higher education. The episode also explores obtaining permission to share personal stories in the classroom and the benefits of color picker apps.
Recognize and support students who are often left behind in higher education.
Avoid assuming that all students learn the same way and look for strengths and potential in every individual.
Create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where students can share their struggles and educators actively listen and respond to their needs.
Deep dives
The Importance of Not Leaving Students Behind
The podcast episode discusses the importance of recognizing and supporting students who are often left behind in higher education. The speaker shares personal experiences, particularly with neurodiverse learners, first-generation college students, and students from marginalized groups. The episode emphasizes the need to avoid assuming that all students learn the same way and highlights the value of looking for the strengths and potential in every individual. The speaker also acknowledges the inevitability of making mistakes and emphasizes the importance of continually learning and improving as educators.
Understanding and Empathizing with Students' Experiences
The podcast episode explores the need to understand and empathize with the challenges that students may face in the educational system. It discusses the importance of recognizing that not all students learn or experience education in the same way and highlights the need for educators to overcome their own assumptions and biases. The episode emphasizes the significance of creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students feel comfortable sharing their struggles and where educators actively listen and respond to their needs.
Avoiding Assumptions and Prejudgments
The podcast episode urges educators to avoid making assumptions and prejudgments about students and their abilities. It emphasizes the importance of not unfairly categorizing or labeling students based on appearances or perceived abilities. The episode highlights the need to recognize that everyone learns differently, and it encourages educators to adopt a mindset of constant learning and improvement. It also emphasizes the value of treating each student as an individual and looking beyond surface-level judgments to find the true potential in each student.
Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment
The podcast episode underscores the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students. It emphasizes the need to establish open lines of communication with students and create opportunities for them to share their unique needs and perspectives. The episode discusses the value of actively listening to students and making adjustments to teaching strategies when necessary. It also encourages educators to be flexible and understanding, recognizing that students may face a variety of challenges that can impact their learning experience.
Recognizing the Value of Every Student
The podcast episode emphasizes the significance of recognizing the inherent value and worth of every student. It discusses the need for educators to see beyond students' academic performance or outward appearances and to appreciate the unique strengths and contributions that each student brings to the learning environment. The episode encourages educators to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment in their students, helping them realize their full potential and providing opportunities for growth and success.
Todd Zakrajsek shares about the ones who are too often left behind in higher education on episode 494 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
I don’t want to see a person left behind.
-Todd Zakrajsek
I just assumed that teaching looked a certain way, and then little by little, I started meeting different individuals who struggled for different reasons.
-Todd Zakrajsek
Teaching is the profession that makes all professions possible.
-Todd Zakrajsek
