SAGE

Course Materials Need to Keep Pace In the recent Harvard Voices in Diversity Project, many of the students interviewed shared that they frequently found examples of racism and sexism in their course materials. In some examples the bias was a result of omission; simply not providing a diverse range of experiences in the assigned readings. Some students also reported that they felt that the perspectives of their race or ethnicity were not included or valued in lecture and class discussions. These feelings of exclusion can have negative consequences for all students. Marginalization Leads to Negative Consequences Research has shown that students who feel that their views are not represented or valid in a course may become less motivated to actively participate in class. And according to a recent study published in The Journal of Higher Education, it may also impact critical thinking and cognitive skill development. Conversely, positive diversity interactions and discussions supported the ability to challenge established viewpoints and more thoughtfully refl ect upon complex issues. Using Narratives as an Inclusion Strategy An effective and immediate strategy to help create a more inclusive classroom may be as simple as integrating more diverse stories and narratives into lectures and course materials. Cognitive research and classroom evidence consistently support storytelling and the use of narrative as a valid teaching and learning strategy improving engagement, critical thinking, and concept retention. Students are entering today's college classroom with a diverse range of backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, and opinions. Diversity on campus extends beyond race and ethnicity—gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, physical ability, beliefs, and cultural heritage all contribute to the rich diversity on campuses today. That diversity enriches the educational and social experiences for most students, but there is also the potential for under-represented groups to feel excluded. One unexpected potential source of marginalization may be found in students' course materials. Narratives boost learning. Turn the page and see how narratives boost learning in the college classroom and access tips for using stories in your course. Scott Abernathy, an associate professor of political science at the University of Minnesota takes storytelling one step farther by including narratives that refl ect his students' diverse lived experiences. "Narratives have the power to bring all voices into the conversation in ways that other approaches may not be able to do," he says. Weaving in more diverse examples is not only inclusive, it also helps students understand and explore issues from perspectives that may be different than their own. Access the complete white paper at sagepub.com/storiesofanation. Narratives have the power to bring all voices into the conversation in ways that other approaches may not be able to do. Create a More Inclusive Classroom Using Student Narratives Excerpt from SAGE White Paper on Using Personal Narratives as an Inclusion Strategy Strategies That Work i

• Cover