Watch this Tech Talk: https://do.co/video_lmuldrow Lyn Muldrow, Senior Developer Educator at DigitalOcean, walks through best practices for researching, writing, publishing, and sharing new, inclusive learning materials for software developers and technologists of all skill levels. About the Presenter Lyn Muldrow is the Senior Developer Educator for DigitalOcean, where she creates new learning materials for the DigitalOcean community and developers of all levels. Previously, she's worked as a software engineer, tech educator, and developer advocate for over five years, helping to educate and share a love of learning with new and experienced developers. New to DigitalOcean? Get US $100 in credit when you sign up: https://do.co/deploytoday To learn more about DigitalOcean: https://www.digitalocean.com/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/digitalocean Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DigitalOcean Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedigitalocean/ We're hiring: http://do.co/careers

1. Creating Inclusive Learning
Experiences
Lyn Muldrow, Senior Developer Educator- DigitalOcean

2. Hi! I’m Lyn.
- Senior Developer Educator at DigitalOcean
- Started coding at 14, found a love of coding and tech
- Taught students of all ages online and at orgs like Hack
the Hood and Flatiron School
- Enjoys both teaching and coding, believes coding is for
all
- Likes lavender, travel, and hanging with my family

3. Today’s Workshop Goals
- Learn about inclusive learning
- Talk about how to incorporate inclusive learning
practices in everyday instruction
- Leave with practices to incorporate to build
inclusive learning experiences

4. What is Inclusive
Learning?

5. What is Inclusive Learning?
- Learning with considerations for all
learning styles, respective of diverse
perspectives, needs, and preferences
- Education that serves all students,
regardless of background or educational
level
- Learning that encourages participation
from all, creating an inclusive environment
for discussion and thought
- Learning that is free from implicit or
explicit bias, to benefit all audiences
University of Southampton, 2020

6. Avoid Bias, Teach for All
Inclusive Learning is NOT:
X Learning that is catered to a specific audience with
assumptions on learning styles and educational level
X Learning that excludes diverse perspectives and
thought
X Learning that uses coded language or is worded in a
way that excludes some audiences
Inclusive teaching strategies are
intended to ensure that all
students feel supported such
that they freely learn and explore
new ideas, feel safe to express
their views in a civil manner, and
respected as individuals and
members of groups. Intentionally
incorporating inclusive teaching
strategies helps students view
themselves as people who
belong to the community of
learners in a classroom and
university.
University of Delaware, Center for Diversity and Inclusive
Teaching, 2020

7. Inclusive Learning
Considerations and
Techniques

8. Understand Learning Styles
- Consider how the content is being received
based on learning style
- Visual, Verbal, Logical, Musical/Auditory,
Physical, Social, Solitary

9. Know Your Audience
- Who are you teaching?
- Where are they from?
- What are they coming in with?
- What do they want to leave with?
- Cater learning to individualized needs
holistically
- Add colloquial references that resonate
where appropriate
- Understand and plan for individual
learning needs

10. Consider Your Language
- Language can carry heavy connotations
and lead to imposter syndrome
- Consider coded language like “easy,”
“simple,” “quick,” “master”
- Consider the perspectives of
international learners

11. Including Students, Empowering Learners
Using “we” and
personal examples
helps students feel
included in the
learning process.
Avoid
location/language
bias in learning
material

12. Keep New Learners in Mind
- Assess your content as a new
learner
- Hold peer reviews
- Gain insight on the learner’s
path
- Provide context and explain
concepts thoroughly when
necessary

13. Break It Down!
Using examples that further explain the context of tech language
helps to solidify concepts.

14. Build Inclusive Community
- Create events that engage all
learners
- Create rules and a code of conduct
for your community that upholds a
safe space for all
- Share relevant conversation and
excitement about your content to all

15. Wrap Up

16. Tl;dr
- Building inclusive learning experiences helps all learners thrive
- Considering learning styles is important- it’s based on your
medium
- Understanding your audience helps create experiences that
resonate
- Considering your language helps learners better engage
- Uplifting new learners keeps them inspired to continue
- Engaging in community and providing a safe space promotes
learning

17. Thanks for watching! Reach out to Lyn:
Email: lyn.muldrow@digitalocean.com
Twitter: @LynMuldrow
Twitch: http://twitch.tv/lyncodes