In boardrooms and C-suites all over the world Diversity and inclusion are rapidly evolving from buzzwords and promises to realities.
These meetings may focus on the business, but it is crucial to keep in mind that decisions made there affect everyone, from the employees to the shareholders to the economy. These meetings are extremely structured, and follow an established set of rules and procedures (such as Robert’s Rules of Order).
Boardrooms are designed for a smaller group of people, generally accommodating between 8 and 20 people around a large central table that facilitates face to face discussions and creates the feeling of a sense of community. High-quality furniture, as well as technology such a audiovisual teleconferencing system and other advanced systems, can create the right atmosphere that facilitates productive collaboration.
Using discussion boards is an effective way to engage students in discussions that go beyond the classroom, assisting students understand how other perspectives are a part of the classroom learning experience. Instructors could begin by asking for icebreakers to help students become familiar with the reactions of their peers. For example, Speer at Wichita State asks her students to introduce themselves by creating a chain of emojis which explain their character and their interests. Students then read the responses of their classmates and then respond. In a summary of a discussion, highlighting important themes and ideas encourages students to follow the entire forum.