Opening Eyes onto Inclusion and Diversity

Reviewed by Kara Woodley, Teaching Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin - Superior on 11/13/23

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The book's table of content and references accurately reflect the content that is presented within the text of the book. The entire text is organized and provides well-researched material that helps the reader find the topic of interest to them.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

This book's content is accurate, timely, and error-free in both content and substance. It is unbiased and in fact, states many times the importance of confronting one's own bias to be able to provide inclusive educational spaces for students in learning environment.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

This book is relevant and is timely for educators who are seeking to become more culturally responsive in their classroom practices. It is especially helpful for considering how to create culturally responsive practices for students with disabilities. This book gives applicable examples of how to incorporate culturally relevant practices into an educator's current learning environment. This book also houses a chapter on patient centered care for inclusiveness for nurses.

Clarity rating: 4

The book uses some academic language, but is mostly written is prose that is useful and accessible for college/university students who are seeking to learn about inclusion and diversity in the educational context of the Australian education system.

Consistency rating: 5

The work is wholly consistent within the topic's terminology and aligns with the framework for which the book is designed.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is easily and readily divisible so that students can find the information easily. I would feel comfortable assigning these chapters to my classes without fearing that students would be disrupted or confused trying to find the correct material within the entirety of the work.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The book is well organized and flows well, in a logical and clear fashion. It is easy to find the information per the table of contents.

Interface rating: 5

There are no interface issues, no distortion of images or charts, or navigation problems. All features work as expected.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The book contains no grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

This book is culturally relevant and is sensitive with both words and phrases. It carefully explains the variety of lenses that the authors use throughout each chapter in a way that makes the reader aware. The authors use inclusive language of disabilities (person first) and of the different races and ethnic backgrounds that are present on the Australian continent and surrounding area.

Comments

This is an easy to read, well-written book that would be a great asset to a class on inclusion and diversity. It provides a unique perspective, as the authors are Australian, so reading it as a researcher from the United States, I was able to become well-informed and more curious about cultural responsiveness in Australia's educational system and would like to know more.

Reviewed by Eugenia Lambert, Professor, Director of Leadership Studies, Marshall University on 10/8/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The book reaches into all corners of diversity, not just cultural or physical. The reader is reminded that there are many diversities among us and that the educational environment often accentuates differences rather than homogenizes them.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

I believe the book is factual and error free. Some parts were like reading the opposite version of Max News, so there was some bias and agenda seeking.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The content is very up to date; but allows for the history of how school systems have dealt with diversity, what worked, what didn't and what they should do now.

Clarity rating: 4

The book is a quick read with little jargon. Any educator should be able to read this book with ease.

Consistency rating: 4

New terminology is introduced and explained. The book tries to keep current, yet uses language that the reader already knew as well.

Modularity rating: 4

Each chapter of the book could be used as a module. It would be able to pair this material with other books so that students had the opportunity to see that diverse authors agree on the topic.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The text is organized.

Interface rating: 5

I'm a novice and did not have any problems.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I edit dissertations daily; so grammatical errors typically jump at me. I did not see any.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The text is sensitive and addresses sensitive issues in a manner that the reader can use to foster conversations.

Comments

The book states that it is our moral obligation to be inclusive and accepting of diversity. I think many moral people don't even realize how offensive they are. This point was well made.

Reviewed by Tyanne Bailey, Director of Teacher Education, Assistant Professor of Education, Huntington University on 6/24/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

Although the text explores a wide variety of concepts related to inclusion and diversity, it seems to not be exhaustive. It does, however, provide an effective index.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

The content seems to be trying to stay unbiased, but this text includes topics that are difficult to keep the authors' bias from coming through in each area.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The content in this text is up-to-date, yet less conservative than other texts available. It seems that the text will not be obsolete within a short period of time because it is more cutting-edge content and views at the current moment. It should be relatively easy and straightforward to add updates as appropriate.

Clarity rating: 3

At first, I was unsure about the appropriateness of the terminology used. However, as each of these situations occurred within the text, I found the authors addressing these issues/terminology/jargon used immediately following and providing a different view to promote further in-depth thinking. (For example, when referring to individuals with autism. At first, the author did not seem to be using person-first language. However, it was addressed immediately and addressed another way of thinking that made me reconsider my first judgement.)

Consistency rating: 3

This text is fairly consistent.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is easily broken down within each chapter to create user-friendly and course-friendly opportunities.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

The variety of authors does make it seem to not flow as clearly from chapter to chapter. The relevance of each chapter's location included does not seem to flow smoothly and seems to feel independent of the surrounding chapters.

Interface rating: 5

The interface of this text is excellent. I did not experience any problems with navigation, images, links, or other features.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not notice any grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

As stated earlier, this is pretty contemporary and less conservative in overall views of many areas, so I believe it is not culturally insensitive or offensive; however, it may depend of the views and background of the individual reading the text.

Comments

Not at this time.