Wednesday, July 10, 2024
In our session, titled Panda C.A.R.E. Bears: Navigating Civility, Accessibility, Respect, and Empathy in Course Design, attendees were taken on a journey through the essential elements of creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. For those who couldn’t attend, here’s a recap of our session, filled with insights and a touch of fun!
Meet the Presenters
I’m Matthew Jennings and I am the Director of Instructional Technology at the UAB School of Nursing. My journey at the School of Nursing spans 14 years, and this was my 10th InstructureCon. Robin Webb is the Senior Instruction Design Specialist at the UAB School of Nursing, and this was her first InstructureCon. Together, we embarked on this adventure to share our experiences and insights.
The Birth of C.A.R.E.
Our journey began with the realization that existing quality improvement frameworks didn’t quite fit our needs. We wanted to create a rubric that had a section on diversity and accessibility. Inspired by a speaker who suggested framing the conversation around civility, empathy, and respect, we developed the C.A.R.E. standard: Civility, Accessibility, Respect, and Empathy.
The Panda C.A.R.E. Bears Story
To make our session engaging, we used an AI-generated story about two panda cubs, Carl and Rebecca, who embark on a journey to improve their course design. Here’s a brief overview of their adventure:
- Civility: In the Forest of Confusion, Carl and Rebecca learn the importance of respectful dialogue to navigate through challenges.
- Accessibility: At the River of Exclusion, they build a bridge to ensure everyone can cross, symbolizing the need for accessible learning environments.
- Respect: In the Disregarded Valley, they vow to listen to everyone’s stories, highlighting the importance of respecting diverse voices.
- Empathy: Climbing the Cliffs of Indifference, they support a scared traveler, demonstrating the power of empathy in education.
Key Takeaways
- Civility: Establish clear expectations and guidelines for communication and interaction within your courses. Model professional communication and provide conflict resolution guidelines.
- Accessibility: Incorporate closed captioning, proper alt tags, and use tools like immersive readers. Ensure resources from disability support services are readily available.
- Respect: Foster a supportive and safe learning environment. Use inclusive language and provide content warnings for sensitive topics.
- Empathy: Personalize feedback, acknowledge students’ efforts, and ensure robust support mechanisms are in place.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating C.A.R.E. into your course design ensures that each learner feels valued, supported, and empowered. Remember, this is a journey. Start with one area of your course and gradually incorporate these principles. And as the wise sage in our story said, “Content is but stardust, connection is the cosmos.” It’s the connections we make with our learners that truly matter.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Let’s continue to navigate the path of civility, accessibility, respect, and empathy together!
