Progress made in modern education has direct implications on the standard of living of a particular nation.
Higher learning institutions form the backbone of education in a society. They influence the self concept of a student. It isn’t just a place where the students enroll in for the specific subject courses, give exams and get their degree. It isn’t another brick in the wall! (reference to the song by Pink Floyd). College is a place where students foster social relationships, build worldviews and learn essential life skills.
Learning at college could look different for every student. One size really doesn’t fit all!
The transition into higher learning from high school is often a bumpy ride, with many challenges and barriers like unstructured learning and huge class sizes at times, making learning seem impersonal. To add to that, many Indian students often move to different cities for further education, which can make the transition even more difficult.
Belonging to a collectivistic culture and staying away from home could cause problems like adjusting to differences in culture, language and ethnic identities, looking for suitable accommodation, adjusting to food and climate or even feeling homesick. Many may not feel love and comfort in their own bed.
Think and Reflect:
What are some of the challenges that you faced while entering degree colleges?
Students come to the classroom with different socio-economic backgrounds, sets of experiences, different caste, sexual and gender identities, cultural contexts, and world views. A diverse organisation values the difference in people, recognises individuals with diverse backgrounds and upbringings. Hence, it enables students to come forth with fresh perspectives. Diversity in the classroom encourages one to identify and leverage these differences for the unified good.
Did you know:
World Cultural Diversity Day is celebrated on 21st May every year!
Adolescents face various issues and transitions that could be about their personal identity, communication and social relationships. Because of their learning needs, neurodiverse students — such as those with ADHD and autism, to mention a few — often experience stigma and prejudice. Students with non- confirmative sexual orientations and gender identities, in particular, may have more difficulty adjusting to college life and may even feel left out. Due to gender differences and other academic difficulties in the context of Indian colleges, there may be a higher likelihood of drop-outs. The influence on a student's overall wellbeing, academic performance, and mental health may be more noticeable if they are dealing with these difficulties.
What is the solution?
It is crucial to have psychologically safe classrooms that embrace diversity where students feel comfortable asking questions for clarification or expressing their confusion in class. According to research, children reported feeling more confident and well-adjusted in psychologically safe classroom settings. For educators, removing obstacles that prevent children from participating and learning should be a key focus.
There are three key benefits of psychological safety: (Amy C. Edmondson, 2014)
preventing errors
fueling creativity and innovation
creating inclusive work environments.
These benefits are valuable in the context of the classroom as well.
How can we contribute to a psychologically safe classroom?
As teachers,
As we know, teachers could be enormous role models for their students. Building relationships with teachers is a two-way street. Different teaching and learning methods should be inculcated as every student has their strengths and weaknesses that could be familiarised with. Treating with equity and respect, having a zero tolerance against bullying or any inappropriate behaviour should be considered.
Posters can be stuck on walls to increase awareness, letter writing or any other small activities could be done with volunteer students as an interactive group activity to help increase familiarity and form interpersonal connections.
As peers,
Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering positive relationships among each other has become even more important, and would result in better expression of the self. One should be sensitive and give safer spaces to talk about one’s mental health. Being respectful about differences, referring to people by their pronouns and asking politely if something is not being understood can be some helpful actions. Personal lived experiences matter.
Think and Reflect:
How can I make my peers feel safer at college?
As a college system,
As a system, education should be flexible. Its flexibility must be reflected in the methods and materials used to give the students so that they can benefit from it the most. The crux would lie in building and promoting awareness on mental health and needs and resources for the diverse population of students. Workshops, activities on the campus grounds, mini events to celebrate the diversity could be done for the same. Diversity and inclusive-friendly college campuses — this is where the next generation of socially aware and empathetic citizens would thrive.
Did you know:
The new song for the Fifa World Cup celebrates diversity by bringing in music artists from America, Spain and UAE!
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