Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Instructional Technology
To address diversity, equity, and inclusion when implementing instructional technology, it is essential to consider how each element contributes to creating a more effective and inclusive learning environment.
Diversity is essential to educational technology because it helps enhance student learning outcomes. A classroom with more diversity benefits all its students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, economic status, or language background. As educators, we should encourage students to understand their own and other people’s cultural identities and backgrounds. This can be done by facilitating open discussions where students share their interests, hobbies, and preferred methods of instruction and by incorporating historical figures or authors from various cultures into lesson plans.
Equity demands an ongoing dedication to expanding access to learning tools for students and their families. This includes equipping teachers with the expertise required to use emerging technology effectively and utilizing student data to make informed decisions that improve learning experiences. Technology enables students to have greater independence in their learning by pursuing topics that interest them, researching unfamiliar subjects, and connecting with experts as they develop lifelong skills. However, the digital divide remains a significant barrier, hindering students’ ability to engage in independent exploration and online instruction, which must be addressed to ensure equitable opportunities for all.
Inclusion focuses on providing equal educational opportunities for all students, regardless of ability levels. This involves identifying and removing barriers that impede learning, particularly for students with exceptionalities (OME, 2014). Technology offers many advantages for these students, from helping them acquire essential skills to accessing a core curriculum tailored to their needs. To ensure inclusion, educators must use tools that are accessible to everyone. Effective integration of instructional technology requires collaboration between classroom teachers and special education specialists while incorporating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles into lesson plans to ensure lessons are accessible to all students. Instructional technologists play a crucial role by working closely with instructors to find creative solutions that meet the needs of diverse student populations and assist faculty in ensuring students achieve their desired learning outcomes.
By addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in these ways, instructional technology can transform education into a more inclusive and equitable experience for all students.
Reference
How Access to Technology Can Create Equity in Schools – Digital Promise. https://digitalpromise.org/2019/04/29/equity-in-schools-access-technology/
Ontario Ministry of Education. (2014). Equity and inclusive education in Ontario schools: Guidelines for policy development and implementation. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario. https://files.ontario.ca/edu-equity-inclusive-education-guidelines-policy-2014-en-2022-01-13.pdf
John King. (2025). Diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational technology: A focus on instructional leadership [Unpublished manuscript]. University of Alabama.
John T. King Jr. 