July 21, 2020 (1:45 PM - 2:25 PM)
** Keys to Building a More Inclusive Learning Environment**
The landscape of higher education is changing. Student populations are more diverse with a growing number falling in the non-traditional category. Others are needing special accommodations while more students are juggling work and family while going to school. Learn how one school adopted Blackboard Ally, resulting in small, incremental changes toward building a more inclusive learning environment while improving the student experience. The panel will discuss how Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor adopted Blackboard Ally in 2019 to address the needs of its changing student population. That dovetailed with the school’s initiative to support diversity, equity and inclusive learning. Panelists will share some of the challenges the school faced including getting faculty buy-in, resistance to change and lack of time to enact change. Learn how the school developed solutions, focusing on incremental changes while recognizing the need for effective communication and cooperation across numerous departments.