For the past two semesters that I have been enrolled at Arizona State University, I’ve noticed a lot of students and professors using the opportunities of online/Zoom school to be more inclusive and acknowledging of others. These changes may not seem like a big deal, but they can certainly make a difference to a lot of people. If you want to show that you are in support of others when you’re in school, but you’re not quite sure how to, here are some caring acts that I experienced that may help inspire ideas of showing that you’re in support of others.
One of the more common things that I noticed while I was on Zoom was how people included their pronouns next to their names. I also use Canvas for homework, and this was prominent there as well. Including your pronouns in your name is not only a way to let others know your preferences, but it also shows that you are willing to call people by their preferred pronouns too, and they won’t be judged for asking you to use them!
Something else that I noticed was that when my professors would teach a lesson, they would try to ask the opinions of students that were most likely to be knowledgeable about the topic that we were learning about. For example, in my postcolonialism class, there were a few Muslim students, so when my professor would speak on the effects of colonialism in the Middle East, she would ask if any students were comfortable in sharing their personal beliefs and experiences in order for their peers to get a better and more realistic understanding of the subject. As a student, I tried to do this as well in breakout rooms by asking questions and making sure everyone had a chance to speak and debate without feeling belittled.
Lastly, simply being open to conversations and hearing what your peers and professors have to say can really help make someone feel more comfortable and open in an educational setting.
Although these are ways to be more inclusive in online school, you can definitely use these methods and many more when in-person classes open back up! Small acts of compassion can go a long way and help make diverse classrooms a safe space for everyone.