The Practice
The Quick Wins for Inclusive and Accessible Teaching initiative was developed to promote practical and immediately implementable strategies that enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of teaching content and methods. Building on insights from the Inclusive and Accessible Teaching Guide developed within the School of Biological Sciences (SoBS), the initiative targets everyday teaching methods and environments to improve student experiences without requiring substantial resources or systemic changes. This content was delivered to SoBS staff and the Staff Disability Coordinator Network via a presentation highlighting the ‘Quick Wins’ from the broader teaching guide.
The initiative emerged as part of a broader effort within the SoBS, where 23% of undergraduate students identify as having a disability. It aligns with the principles of equity, aiming to provide all students with what they need to succeed rather than merely offering equal treatment. Quick wins discussed include adjustments in lecture delivery, classroom climate, online content, and representation in teaching materials.
Findings
Key lessons and strategies highlighted in the initiative, which can be found in the attached PowerPoint presentation, include:
- Lecture Delivery:
- Include aims, intended learning outcomes, and a structured outline at the start.
- Provide mid-lecture breaks to sustain engagement and support attention.
- Use consistent slide templates to reduce cognitive load and aid focus.
- Summarise key points at the end of lectures to reinforce learning and ease retention.
- Creating an Inclusive Classroom Climate:
- Avoid highlighting late arrivals or assuming universal student experiences.
- Repeat audience questions for clarity, considering hearing-impaired students.
- Finish sessions punctually to respect time constraints and student responsibilities.
- Online Content Management:
- Offer Word documents alongside PDFs for better accessibility with screen readers.
- Ensure clear and consistent organisation of Blackboard sites to improve navigation.
- Improving Representation in Teaching Materials:
- Include diverse researchers and examples to promote inclusivity.
- Use images and culturally sensitive greetings to foster a sense of belonging.
- Engaging Student Partnerships:
- Collaborate with student partners to gain insights and co-develop resources tailored to diverse needs.
The Impact
- Recommendations from this initiative have been used to design standardised unit lecture slide templates for use in the SoBS.
- Through presenting these Quick Wins, school staff now better understand the challenges faced by neurodivergent and disabled students, leading to more empathetic and effective teaching approaches.
- Student feedback from staff implementing the recommendations has been extremely positive.
- The Business School has adopted this talk as part of its teaching induction each academic year for new starters and PHD students.
- Adjustments like clearer communication, structured lectures, and more representative content ensure the learning environment is welcoming for all students.
Next Steps
The Quick Wins initiative will continue to evolve based on feedback from staff and students. Efforts will focus on embedding these practices more firmly into teaching norms, promoting the Inclusive and Accessible Teaching Guide, and expanding the scope of inclusivity efforts to address additional barriers faced by students. The school also plans to engage more student partners in future projects to ensure diverse perspectives are consistently integrated.
Contact
Dave Lawson (david.lawson@bristol.ac.uk)
