Inclusion in the online teaching environment

Without well-trained teachers, no inclusion strategy in higher education can achieve its full potential. Teachers are the ones who shape the student’s experience every day, so their professional development is crucial for the successful implementation of inclusive practices. Continuous training in the areas of digital accessibility, universal design for learning (UDL), ethical aspects of digital education and the use of assistive technologies must become the standard, not the exception.

Such development involves a wide range of activities, from workshops and online courses to access to educational materials, guides and practical examples of good practice. Particularly valuable are forms of mentoring and peer learning, where teachers share experiences and jointly find solutions to teaching challenges. This builds a sense of community and mutual support, which contributes to the quality of the teaching process and increases teachers' motivation to apply inclusive approaches.

Education should not be focused solely on technical skills in using platforms and digital tools. An equally important aspect is the development of pedagogical and ethical sensitivity. Teachers need to understand the diverse needs of students, recognise the barriers faced by vulnerable groups and develop practices that promote equity and accountability. This builds trust and reduces the risks of digital exclusion.

Institutions also play a role in the professional development of teachers. E-learning centres, instructional designers and quality assurance teams should provide expert support in the design and delivery of courses. Such an institutional framework allows inclusion to not remain at the level of individual enthusiasm of individual teachers, but to become a systematic and strategic goal of higher education. Professional development thus becomes the foundation on which to build a culture of inclusion, lasting, sustainable and focused on all students.

Examples of activities that can help the professional development of teachers in the field of inclusion and digital education: