Author: annamcclintock

Defining Inclusion in My Practice

Inclusion, to me, is more than having all students in the same classroom. It is about creating a space where every learner feels valued, respected and supported in a way that allows them to thrive. During my practicum, I witnessed the power of inclusion when it works well: students with different abilities and needs contributing meaningfully to the classroom community. At the same time, I felt the challenges. Sometimes classroom routines, limited resources or my own inexperience created barriers to meeting each student exactly where they were.

This experience has made me realize that inclusion isn’t a fixed achievement but an ongoing practice. My definition aligns with what I aim for daily, yet there is often a gap between the ideal of full inclusion and the reality of what happens in the classroom. That gap is where I feel the most responsibility, to keep learning, adapting and asking better questions about my teaching.

How a PLN Supports Inclusion

This week’s readings on Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) reminded me that I do not have to navigate these challenges alone. A PLN is the network of people, resources and communities, both online and in person, that I intentionally connect with to support my professional growth. For educators, PLNs are more than networking, they are sources of ideas, tools and perspectives that help make inclusion practical and achievable.

I’ve seen this in my own learning. Following educators who focus on Universal Design for Learning and trauma-informed practices has given me strategies I might not have discovered on my own, such as flexible seating, visual supports and multiple ways for students to demonstrate understanding. These shared practices make inclusion feel more attainable, even when classroom constraints exist.

What I value most is how a PLN broadens my perspective. If I only surround myself with people who see teaching the same way I do, I’ll miss out on fresh ideas and meaningful challenges. By intentionally seeking out diverse voices, Indigenous educators, disability advocates and multilingual teachers, I not only expand my teaching toolkit but also confront my own blind spots. As emphasized in the video below, giving students a voice in their learning helps ensure they feel seen, respected and included. Hearing students’ perspectives directly can highlight gaps in access or understanding that I might not notice on my own.

Looking Ahead

As I move forward in my teaching, I want to strengthen my PLN in ways that reflect the diversity I hope to foster in my classroom. Asking myself whose voices are missing and intentionally bringing those perspectives in will help me model for my students what it looks like to learn inclusively.

References:

Edutopia. (2023). Students collaborating in an inclusive classroom [Photograph]. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/inclusive-classroom-strategies

Inclusive Schools Network. (2025, October 1). The power of student voice [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/2WATlAOSCWI?si=HANGN6iajIryL2QC

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that helps educators design curriculum with learner variability in mind by offering multiple means of engagement, representation and expression (CAST, 2014). Rose, Meyer, and Gordon (2014) emphasize that learning differences are normal, not exceptions and that barriers exist in curriculum design, not in students. This idea has shifted how I approach teaching. During my practicum, I noticed lessons ran more smoothly when I gave students multiple entry points, through visuals, hands-on tasks or oral explanations. In an online context, this could look like providing transcripts with videos, using graphic organizers or offering choices in how students demonstrate their understanding. UDL reminds me that flexibility is an important form of equity.

This video highlights these ideas, which shows how intentional design can open up learning for all students.

Inclusive Learning Design

Inclusive Learning Design: This focuses on creating learning environments that prioritize equity, belonging and representation. It builds on UDL but goes further by focusing on equity, belonging and representation. It ensures that learners not only have access but also see themselves reflected in the curriculum and feel valued in the learning community. The BC Ministry of Education (2019) highlights the importance of representation in creating inclusive environments. I have tried to put this into practice by using picture books that reflect diverse cultural identities during early literacy lessons. In digital spaces, I imagine extending this by incorporating examples, images and case studies that highlight a range of voices and perspectives. For me, inclusion means that every learner feels both represented and respected.

Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning

Both synchronous and asynchronous formats play a valuable role in supporting diverse learners. Synchronous learning involves real-time interaction, such as Zoom classes or live discussions, which foster immediacy and community. Asynchronous learning, in contrast, allows learners to engage on their own schedule through tools like discussion boards, recordings or independent projects. This provides flexibility but requires careful design to maintain engagement (Hrastinski, 2008).

From my own experience, synchronous sessions have helped me feel connected to peers and instructors, while asynchronous options gave me the time I needed to reflect and process ideas. In my teaching, I plan to blend these approaches, for example, beginning with a live discussion and then extending it through reflective online activities. This balance allows students with different needs, schedules or processing speeds to participate fully.

Community of Inquiry & Effectively Online Education

The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework outlines three key elements for effective online learning: teaching presence, social presence and cognitive presence (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2000). Teaching presence comes from clear design and facilitation, social presence from building trust and interaction and cognitive presence from supporting reflection and sustained discourse.

I’ve experienced how powerful these elements can be. In courses with clear structure and instructions, I was able to focus on learning instead of logistics. When instructors provided timely feedback, I felt more connected, which increased motivation. In my practicum, I also noticed that when students engaged in dialogue with peers, their ideas became deeper and more collaborative, reflecting cognitive presence.

Closing Reflection

Module 3 reminded me that inclusion is not about adding extra supports but about designing from the beginning with variability, equity, and connection in mind. Moving forward, I want to bring UDL and inclusive design together with a thoughtful balance of synchronous and asynchronous learning, while using the CoI framework to strengthen presence and belonging. My goal is to create learning environments where all students feel capable, cared for and connected.

References

BC Ministry of Education. (2019). British Columbia curriculum. https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/

CAST. (2018). Universal Design for Learning guidelines version 2.2. https://udlguidelines.cast.org/

Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2000). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2–3), 87–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1096-7516(00)00016-6

Hrastinski, S. (2008). Asynchronous and synchronous e-learning. EDUCAUSE Quarterly, 31(4), 51–55. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2008/11/asynchronous-and-synchronous-elearning

Rose, D. H., Meyer, A., & Gordon, D. (2014). Universal Design for Learning: Theory and practice. CAST Professional Publishing.

Seeing UDL in action in the classroom. (2012, November 15). [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/hCHTxTfkBsU

Personal Digital Identity

On the personal side, my digital identity shows up mostly through Instagram and Facebook. These platforms act like a digital scrapbook, where I share moments from travel destinations, moments with my friends and family or pictures of my dog. For me, it’s a space for connection and expression, highlighting joy, creativity and relationships.

At the same time, I’ve realized that even casual posts have weight. As Danah Boyd reminds us in her discussion of networked publics, once something is online, it can circulate far beyond the intended audience. That idea has shifted the way I think about posting. Before hitting “share,” I now ask myself: Would I be comfortable if someone outside my circle saw this?

Professional Digital Identity

My professional presence feels much more curated and deliberate. LinkedIn and Facebook groups are where I highlight my education and connect with other educators, while my teaching e-portfolio is becoming a showcase of lessons, reflections and my philosophy as a teacher. Even small details, like my school district email signature automatically showing my role and affiliation, add to this professional identity. These pieces together form a more formal impression of who I am in an educational context.

This identity feels more like a portfolio than a scrapbook, organized, polished and future-focused. George Couros’s perspective that digital portfolios tell the story of both who we are and who we are becoming really resonates with me. Each time I add a reflection or lesson, I’m not just documenting work, I’m shaping how I want to be seen as an educator.

Where the Two Meet

What’s interesting is how these identities overlap. Over my last practicum, I shared an Instagram story about a grade 2/3 thumbprint art activity where students explored how tiny, individual marks could grow into imaginative creations. I also posted about a collaborative mural project that brought the whole class together to design and paint a shared piece. Both posts felt personal, moments I was genuinely proud to celebrate, but they also worked as professional snapshots of my teaching style and values. That blending reminded me that my online presence isn’t divided into two separate categories, instead, it exists on a spectrum where personal pride and professional identity naturally intersect.

Moving Forward

I now see my digital identity as an evolving project rather than a finished product. Balancing personal authenticity with professional responsibility isn’t always simple, but it’s part of shaping a meaningful presence online.

So, I find myself asking: do we really have two separate digital identities, or are we all just writing different chapters of the same ongoing story?

References

Boyd, Danah. 2010. “Social Network Sites as Networked Publics: Affordances, Dynamics, and Implications.” In Networked Self: Identity, Community, and Culture on Social Network Sites, edited by Zizi Papacharissi, 39–58. (Draft version). Accessed [date]. https://www.danah.org/papers/2010/SNSasNetworkedPublics.pdf

Couros, George. “Resources on Blogs as Digital Portfolios.” GeorgeCouros.com. Accessed [date]. https://georgecouros.com/presentation-resources/resources-on-blogs-as-digital-portfolios/

“Cozy Creative Rituals – Minimalist Line Art Printable | Doodles, Sticker Art, Yoga Drawing.” Pinterest. Accessed [date]. https://pin.it/5i7D8Lp0T