The idea for @onedchat stemmed from a conversation between Allison Fuisz and Amy Bowker in the Spring of 2014. They noticed a gap on Twitter where an Ontario-based education chat was concerned. After several conversations and a vision in mind, @onedchat was created.
Tonight's chat is meant to bring forth a convo around #equitymatters & to draw greater attention to the thinking of how it is integrated into the classroom/learning space. #ONedchat
Please take a moment to introduce yourself, where you are from, & maybe an interesting fact about your school. Be sure to use #ONedchat in your tweet so others can see your thoughts readily.
Hello everyone #ONedchat -- I'm and education officer with the Ministry of Ed... interesting fact: my new cubicle at work is on "Groovy Street"! Looking forward to digging into these questions and reading (and thinking about) people's responses!
We are excited to have you here. No worries on being new. Check #ONedchat for other responses and use the #ONedchat yourself so others can see yours :).
Please do not stress about answering on time with our Qs, come & go as you please, respect the thoughts of others, use A1 format and look to our pinned tweet for the Qs in case you need a reminder. #ONedchat
A1 Equity in the classroom means everyone has a voice, and we all have a responsibility to ensure that the "quieter" or "different" students feel heard and seen. It means concrete examples of diverse voices (posters, lessons about, examples that include, authors, etc.) #ONedchat
A1. #Equity is quality education for all Ss. We identify gaps, barriers, biases, and strategies in the interest of equitable outcomes for underserved groups. #Onedchat
A2. School staff sometimes provide one another with false comfort thru collective biases, e.g., the wrong kinds of staff room chatter that either blame Ss for weak performance, or predict their dismal futures. Choose #optimism. #Onedchat
A 2: I think it's important for us to surround ourselves intentionally with diverse perspectives. I make a point of following a variety of folks on social media in order to avoid the "same old, same old" trap, and force myself to consider different viewpoints. #ONedchat
A2: Biases often make for engaging conversations and deeper learning...they challenge us to reflect on different/differing perspectives, that may or may not be well-informed. #ONedchat
A3. Heterogeneity provides Ts with ready capacity to realize the intended outcomes of any lesson. Allow diverse Ss to interact and collaborate.
Step One: Refrain from ability grouping. #mixedAbility#equity#OnEdChat
I love that you note that surrounding ourselves with diverse perspectives needs to be an act of intention. We cannot move forward or have true self-reflection of our own practices if we aren't exposed to other viewpoints. #ONedchat
A3: 1/3 After reading some research a few years ago that Ts tend to call on boys more often than girls in class (and thinking, "Nah, surely not ME!"), I invited my instructional coach into the room to just sit in the back for a bit and take a tally while I taught #ONedchat
A3 Begins with open opportunities for all stakeholders to be seen and heard. #studentvoice Ensure the classroom not only reflects the learners, but is shaped by them. #ONedchat
A3: 2/3 I was shocked to discover that I called on Boys almost 2x as often at Girls -- even while so conscious about it! Led to an awesome reflective conversation with my instructional coach... #ONedchat
A3 Begins with open opportunities for all stakeholders to be seen and heard. #studentvoice Ensure the classroom not only reflects the learners, but is shaped by them. #ONedchat
A3: 3/3 One thing I've done to remedy this is use a random spinner app or popsicle sticks with Ss names on them, so that anyone can be called on... and/or just get them #thinkpairshare so that EVERYONE can participate, even if not sharing in front of the whole class. #ONedchat
A1: As others have noted equity isn't equality; Ts use professional judgement on what is needed for S success; those everyday accommodations that we make for Ss help foster a fair environment & set Ss up for success. #ONedchat
When I think of #equity, I also think of the background & interests of my Ss and finding the connections in the learning w/ for them like @WillGourley mentioned. Thoughts anyone? #ONedchat
I like to think of equity in the classroom through the lens of differentiation. Open ended questioning can help to include all learners in the lesson. #ONedchat
A variety of strategies keep it fresh. You did that when you taught me. I have also added no hands up safe participation where discussions are prefaced with the idea that many approaches are invited into our learning convos. #ONedchat
A3: 3/3 One thing I've done to remedy this is use a random spinner app or popsicle sticks with Ss names on them, so that anyone can be called on... and/or just get them #thinkpairshare so that EVERYONE can participate, even if not sharing in front of the whole class. #ONedchat
Absolutely. Students will be more inclined to participate in learning that is culturally relevant to them. I love to explore areas that they feel passionate about, as it creates meaningful & rock tasks #ONedchat
In reply to
@allison_fuisz, @ONedchat, @WillGourley
Q5: We look forward to the resources/stories/situations you can share to help us reflect on our own practice to better the learning opportunities for all students. #ONedchat
A4: when equity isn’t a focus, Ss struggle to advocate for their own needs. They may struggle I assess their own learning in these environments. #ONedchat
We've become a classroom of co-learners/teachers. Ss are expected to be leaders, advocates, risk takers, and change makers. If they don't like something, it is their job to do something about it. #ownership#studentvoice#ONedchat
A2: Self reflection, team teaching, observing others are ways in which we might start to see our own biases. A Ts willingness to open themselves up to change is a key component to (a) knowing their bias, and to (b) do something about it #ONedchat
YES YES YES. I like the idea of student ownership and giving them the responsibility for their own learning. A key aspect in co-learning is educators modelling how to take risks and advocate for change where they feel it is necessary. Students are very impressionable! #ONedchat
A5: I’m a believer in developing T’s self efficacy by gaining more knowledge... learning the #truth of Residential Schools, understanding community cultural practices, collaborating in action research, planning with colleagues to gain different perspectives etc #ONedchat
Modeling the risk taking is indeed a key component. If the teacher can be "wrong" about something and have the humility to admit it, and be a learner, then how much more likely will the students be to follow suit? #ONedchat
Wow! I have got to go, but what an amazing, albeit brief, convo #ONedchat
Looking forward to another one soon. Thank you for your collective wisdom and kindness.
I resonate with that. I find that students tend to ‘check out’ of the learning experience the moment the instruction doesn’t reach out to the different learners in the room - causes disengagement, lack of self confidence, etc. #ONedchat
A6: I would love to go back and ask LGBTQ+ students in my first few years of teaching (100 yrs ago) to what extent they felt safe and cared for in our classroom. Equity and inclusion were always a priority for me, but I was still so limited in my understanding then... #ONedchat
A6: I would love to go back and ask LGBTQ+ students in my first few years of teaching (100 yrs ago) to what extent they felt safe and cared for in our classroom. Equity and inclusion were always a priority for me, but I was still so limited in my understanding then... #ONedchat
Thanks @ONedchat for a well-organized, personalised chat this evening. I appreciated the thoughtfully prepared questions and enjoyed hearing everyone's reflections. Good night, all! #ONedchat#equitymatters
Thank you everyone for sharing your voice, your thoughts, and for making #equitymatter part of your learning for yourself, your students, and a better world. #ONedchat
How can we improve the academic experience of a student who is regularly disengaged, despite the equitable practises & meaningful/relevant tasks? #equity#ONedchat
