One Classroom at a Time : How Better Teaching Can Make College More Equitable

College students are more diverse and less financially privileged than ever, but achievement gaps persist. Offering straightforward, research-driven advice for educators who want all students to attain their goals, David Gooblar describes pedagogical methods for breaking down psychological and economic barriers to marginalized students’ success.

From the author of The Missing Course, an essential guide to pedagogy that serves all members of an ever more diverse undergraduate population. A century ago, nearly all US college students were white men of means. Today, in contrast, half of US undergraduates live at or near the poverty line, and universities are more diverse than ever. But teaching and curricula have not caught up, resulting in stark inequities. Black and Hispanic students graduate at lower rates than their white and Asian counterparts, economically insecure and disabled students face persistent disadvantages, and in STEM disciplines gender imbalances remain the norm. One Classroom at a Time provides practical, research-based recommendations for narrowing these academic gaps. David Gooblar explains the psychological hardships facing many marginalized students and provides detailed remedies. This wide-ranging guide also offers advice for mitigating burdens of financial insecurity and designing classes that work for all students regardless of disabilities. The emphasis throughout is on helping instructors and administrators understand not just the principles of equitable pedagogy but also why it works. College courses shouldn’t be built for imaginary students of yesteryear. One Classroom at a Time shows how we can tailor pedagogy to the students of today, so that all of them can secure the education and success they deserve.