Ease Learning’s DEI Rubric for Equitable Course Design

The Ease Learning Rubric for Equitable Course Design is now available!

We strongly believe that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) cannot exist if best practices are not embedded into the design process. This is especially true for online programs.  Online Learning should be developed with DEI considerations and best practices in the design phase and with a qualified team of people doing the design work alongside qualified content experts. Elements such as  mode, time, pace, rigor, types of experiences and Universal Design as well as applying a rubric like what we are sharing here, can ensure online learning can actually be richer than a face-to face experience; more inclusive and have a reach that truly invites diversity and also changes the perception, value and reputation of online learning.  

At Ease Learning, we embrace continuous improvement. It’s built into our design process and into everything we do. We have approached this rubric with the same lens. In developing this rubric, we are not, by any means, saying that this is all-inclusive, with no room for  improvement. This is a starting point and with our mindset of continuous improvement, we acknowledge that there may be areas that we have missed that should be included. We  have attempted to dig deep and look internally at areas within our own processes at Ease  Learning where we could and should be leading with DEI as it pertains to best practices in course design.  

Some of the elements may be new to your thinking and for those that are familiar to you, again, we ask you to think about them critically and differently. These rubric criteria include:  

• Integrator vs. Creator (inspired by the work of Michael Wesch)  

• The Feedback Section  

• Accommodations  

• Multiple Intelligences  

• Collaboration  

• The entire section on Analysis/Differentiation  

• Scaffolding  

• Grading  

Download a copy of the rubric and share your feedback. We would love to know if you are looking at these or other areas in different ways that also impact DEI? We know this first publication of  our rubric is not without limits, we know there is more to do in this area, but the societal impact of addressing DEI is too great, we must begin to take action. We cannot wait for  perfection.