INTERCULTURAL MEDIA PROJECT
2023-2024
Raising Awareness: The Importance of Inclusivity in Classrooms
SDG Target #4.a: “Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all”
Our Aim
We believe that a supportive and positive school environment for youth is crucial to promote healthy life-long learning habits. Additionally, children may not see the importance of diversity and equity, so instead, inclusivity serves as the foundation to allow children to understand these concepts. In order to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to thrive academically and socially, it is necessary to invest in educational resources that promote inclusivity in schools. Thus, we decided to investigate how we can promote an inclusive learning environment, we conducted intercultural surveys and interviews to learn from students’ and teachers’ experiences.
Meet The Team
Research
What is the importance of using resources to raise awareness on inclusivity from a young age – how does this aid in childhood development?
Interview
Check out the interview linked below with Janette Jorgensen, the Academic Advisor and Program Administrator for the Continuing Teacher Education and Professional Studies Program at Queen's University. We had the chance to talk about the importance of using resources to raise awareness on inclusivity at a young age and how it aids in childhood development.
Our childhood experiences influence who we become as adults. It influences our behaviour, our beliefs, and even our personality.
Alexa Young, CA
Research
What is the importance of using resources to raise awareness on inclusivity from a young age – how does this aid in childhood development?
Survey
In order to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to thrive academically and socially, it is necessary to invest in educational resources that promote inclusivity in schools. To investigate how we can promote an inclusive learning environment, we conducted intercultural surveys and interviews to learn from students’ and teachers’ experiences.
Bader College Survey Results
Discussion
The majority of participants thought inclusivity was an important part of education, thus it follows that this issue needs to be a focus in education going forward. There is evidence that teachers and support systems need to use various methods of educating about these topics because half of the participants thought that they were not given enough information regarding inclusivity in school. Based on our findings, racial equity was identified as the most important topic to raise awareness about, and cultural, disability, and sexual orientation followed after. This differs from how participants felt while engaging in extracurricular, where there was a stronger sense of inclusion and community.
From our results, everyone felt that inclusivity should be discussed and actively promoted. Students should be aware of diversity and learn how to be accepting of others as it's an essential part of evolving and plays a significant role in the development of young people in an emerging society. Regarding resources, several students recall the influential books they read as children, such as Wonder, The Book Thief, and Dr. Seuss, which covered a variety of subjects but it still restricted class discussions on those subjects. Participants felt that events, support systems and general education can serve a significant purpose in influencing the next generation. These consist of: hosting guest speakers, seeing educational videos or films, providing beneficial support networks, and raising awareness of mental health.