Diversity & Inclusion in Education - OER

Course description

This Open Educational Resource aims to foster the development of fundamental competences in the field of diversity and inclusion in (student) teacher education. The importance is shown in various reports of sustainability and 21st century education. As a self-study module, it aims to increase individual educational access and effectiveness in learning through flexible using, active participation and reflection.

On the methodological level, it aims to foster equity, social justice, knowledge co-creation, and global educational partnerships. Looking at contemporary societies of high complexity, the OER addresses the perspective of social systems theories in order to provide basic knowledge of interrelations between main social systems and processes of individual socialisation.

In the second chapter, the main terms diversity, inclusion and discrimination are defined, also in differentiation from similar concepts such as integration.

The third chapter gives an overview of milestones in legal foundations that fostered the paradigm of inclusion being a human right.

Chapter four focuses on the level of schools as educational institutions that should foster inclusive education as quality education in professional and multiprofessional teamwork as well as in interprofessional co-teaching. Therefore, inclusive attitudes and a school culture that celebrates diversity is needed.

Finally, chapter five explores the micro level of schooling and presents individual differences of students’ diversity such as socioeconomic and ethnic background, disabilities, gender and personality. An additional chapter on basic knowledge of psychology is included by adding the topic of Unconscious Bias in order to foster awareness of several forms of discrimination.

You can access the OER self-study module here: Diversity and Inclusion in Education.