Frameworks and Strategies to Support Access and Equity

In this part of the guide, we provide a brief overview of key theoretical frameworks that inform the practices, techniques, and strategies discussed throughout. While some practical applications are highlighted here, readers are encouraged to explore other sections of the guide for deeper implementation strategies. These frameworks, drawn from diverse fields of research, emphasize different aspects of teaching and learning but collectively reinforce effective, inclusive, and student-centered instruction.

• High-Impact Teaching Practices (HITPs) are strategies that significantly enhance student engagement, learning, and success in higher education. Beyond helping students achieve academic goals, these practices cultivate lifelong skills and a deeper connection to learning. Five key HITPs that instructors can integrate into their teaching include:
  • Helping Students Become Meta-Learners – Supporting students in developing self-awareness and self-regulation in their learning.
  • Learning-Centered Course Design – Structuring courses with clear objectives, active learning strategies, and meaningful assessment.
  • Using Small Groups in a Powerful Way – Enhancing collaboration, problem-solving, and peer learning through intentional group work.
  • Service Learning with Reflection – Connecting coursework to real-world experiences while fostering critical reflection.
  • Being a Leader with One’s Students – Cultivating a classroom environment where the instructor models engagement, curiosity, and mentorship.
• Transparency in Teaching and Learning (TILT) makes course design explicit by clarifying the purpose, tasks, and criteria of assignments. This approach reduces barriers to student success, particularly for those unfamiliar with academic expectations, while fostering equity and deeper engagement. Strategies include the Purpose-Task-Criteria (PTC) framework, explaining activity rationale, using guides and checklists, incorporating reflection prompts, and making real-world connections.
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for inclusive teaching that provides multiple means of engagement, representation, and action & expression to accommodate diverse learning needs. By proactively designing flexible learning experiences, UDL removes barriers, supports learners in multiple modalities, and fosters student success.
• Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Pedagogy promote equity and innovation in learning. OER are freely available teaching materials that reduce costs and expand access. Open Pedagogy builds on OER by empowering students as contributors to knowledge rather than passive consumers, engaging them in authentic, collaborative learning experiences that enhance creativity, critical thinking, and deeper engagement.