The Need

In higher education, fostering inclusive and culturally responsive classroom environments is imperative to address institutional racism and ensure equitable learning experiences for all students. To achieve this, instructors must demonstrate cultural sensitivity, responsiveness to individual needs, and an understanding of diverse perspectives. Students' engagement, critical thinking, and overall experience are profoundly influenced by instructors' cultural responsiveness, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive evaluation mechanisms.

The Technology

Introducing the Student Evaluation of Inclusive Classroom Instruction (SEI_CI), developed and piloted by OSU's College of Education and Human Ecology (EHE). This assessment tool empowers undergraduate and graduate students to provide anonymous feedback on their experiences with cultural classroom inclusion. Comprising seven core questions with supplementary inquiries, the SEI_CI is seamlessly integrated into the end-of-semester evaluation process via Qualtrics Survey. With IRB approval, continual refinement ensures its efficacy in capturing crucial insights into inclusive instruction.

Commercial Applications

• Higher Education Institutions: Facilitate the evaluation of instructors' cultural responsiveness to enhance inclusivity and diversity in academic settings.
• Educational Departments and Programs: Assess and improve the cultural inclusivity of course curricula and instructional practices.
• Faculty Development Programs: Provide valuable feedback to educators for professional growth in culturally responsive teaching methodologies.

Benefits/Advantages

• Institutional Improvement: Longitudinal data obtained from SEI_CI informs policy and practice changes, contributing to the eradication of institutional racism.
• Leadership Positioning: OSU and EHE emerge as pioneers in assessing and fostering inclusive, culturally responsive instruction, enhancing institutional reputation.
• Student Empowerment: Empowering students to voice their experiences fosters a sense of ownership in shaping inclusive learning environments.
• Continuous Improvement: Ongoing refinement of SEI_CI ensures its relevance and effectiveness in capturing evolving student perspectives, driving continual improvement in educational practices.
• Research Opportunities: SEI_CI data presents opportunities for scholarly inquiry into effective strategies for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.