Diverse Representation in eLearning
Representation in instructional design materials can be an expression of your values. To design inclusive learning experiences, diverse representation is really just a starting point. We all start somewhere, right?
In my previous role as an academic chair, I made my team walk around our department’s physical space and take a visual audit of the representation they saw in wall displays. What historic figures are featured on the posters hanging on the walls? What flags do we see? What work samples are on the bulletin board? How would this make learners feel, and how would this impact their learning?
As an instructional designer, I also self-audit my work to make sure it is inclusive.
Here are three ways I weave diverse representation into the eLearning that I develop:
Images: Think about your audience and make sure the visuals connect to their lived experience. Seek out stock photos of people who are differently-abled, LGBTQ, of varying religions, ages, gender identities, and ethnicities. Nappy.co is a great resource for this.
Names: I’m very sick of John and Jane Doe. Why not Fatimah and Ahmad Dawoud? Look up common names in cultures that are different from your own.
Job Titles: Think about the promotions you are handing out in your eLearning- what sort of people are represented as leadership? Is the manager an older, straight, white man? Ok. Are ALL the managers older, straight, white men? Now we have a problem. Try to showcase a variety of people in expert roles.
As an instructional designer, it is my job to uplift employees and make sure they are able to perform to their best ability. People thrive when they feel seen and valued, so incorporating diverse representation into eLearning is imperative.
