Diversity
Throughout my course work at Kennesaw State University I have learned the importance of providing differentiated instruction to help my students be successful in and outside the classroom. I have learned that it is important to understand and respect my students’ skills, interests, culture, strengths, and weaknesses while also educating them to be respectful of others as well. By understanding their needs and modeling this type of behavior, I am more knowledgeable in choosing appropriate teaching strategies and tools to help them meet state standards and become lifelong learners.
Through this program I have acquired a variety of research-based strategies to meet the diverse needs of my students. I’ve learned the importance of varying the way I deliver content to my class, from lecture, small group, one-on-one, and self-discovery activities. It is important to use multiple forms of assessments that correspond to the content objectives. Just as Smith and Throne (2009) state, Differentiated instruction supplies teachers with a flexible framework that offers multiple learning approaches to meet learners’ needs. The use of technology to provide students with assistance in meeting grade level standards is essential. In order to meet the needs of all learners, it is important to understand what Edyburn (2006) shared, If all students are to achieve a given educational standard, then time and tools should vary to allow for differences in learning. Technology advancements have opened many doors and opportunities in assisting teachers in varying their instruction to meet the needs of their students.
Technology has also allowed many educators to lower the walls of their classrooms to broaden their students’ understanding and respect for diversity. Learning used to be confined to the walls of the classrooms but the internet has now allowed the world to be our classroom. The internet allows teachers to connect, collaborate, and learn from many different sources from all over the world. Many classrooms today are collaborating with classrooms around the globe. Students are learning about other cultures, and most importantly, they’re learning that not everyone lives the same way they do. These types of connections and collaborations are authentic and have true value for helping student develop a respect for other cultures. It is important for students to realize that the world is not filled with people who look, act, live, or believe certain beliefs like them. They need to be exposed to other cultures to realize that our society is made up of many different people and that it is ok to be different. Through exposure to other cultures, students will hopefully develop an awareness of and desire to learn more about people from around the world.
The list below is a list of activities that I have completed demonstrating my ability to successfully address diversity issues in schools today.
· Providing Professional development for teachers on how to use technology to differentiate instructional and meet the diverse needs of all
students.
· Identify and address the unique needs of students who have limited prior computer experience.
· Collecting/utilizing demographic or subgroup data for targeted school improvement.
· Modeling and advocating for the use of technology for challenging tasks and higher order thinking for all students (as opposed to using
technology for drill and practice).
· Identify specifically how technology can be used to address cultural differences.
· Creating equitable classrooms by advocating for the fair and effective distribution of technology resources.
· Ensuring that minority and low-income students experience leadership roles with technology.
Edyburn, Dave L. (2006). Failure is not an option. Learning and leading with technology.
Retrieved from https://kennesaw.view.usg.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2 l?
ou=344434tId=8592595
Smith, G. & Throne, S. (2009). Differentiating instruction with technology in middle school
classrooms. International Society for Technology in Education. Retrieved from
https://kennesaw.view.usg.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=336678&tId=85 92516.
Through this program I have acquired a variety of research-based strategies to meet the diverse needs of my students. I’ve learned the importance of varying the way I deliver content to my class, from lecture, small group, one-on-one, and self-discovery activities. It is important to use multiple forms of assessments that correspond to the content objectives. Just as Smith and Throne (2009) state, Differentiated instruction supplies teachers with a flexible framework that offers multiple learning approaches to meet learners’ needs. The use of technology to provide students with assistance in meeting grade level standards is essential. In order to meet the needs of all learners, it is important to understand what Edyburn (2006) shared, If all students are to achieve a given educational standard, then time and tools should vary to allow for differences in learning. Technology advancements have opened many doors and opportunities in assisting teachers in varying their instruction to meet the needs of their students.
Technology has also allowed many educators to lower the walls of their classrooms to broaden their students’ understanding and respect for diversity. Learning used to be confined to the walls of the classrooms but the internet has now allowed the world to be our classroom. The internet allows teachers to connect, collaborate, and learn from many different sources from all over the world. Many classrooms today are collaborating with classrooms around the globe. Students are learning about other cultures, and most importantly, they’re learning that not everyone lives the same way they do. These types of connections and collaborations are authentic and have true value for helping student develop a respect for other cultures. It is important for students to realize that the world is not filled with people who look, act, live, or believe certain beliefs like them. They need to be exposed to other cultures to realize that our society is made up of many different people and that it is ok to be different. Through exposure to other cultures, students will hopefully develop an awareness of and desire to learn more about people from around the world.
The list below is a list of activities that I have completed demonstrating my ability to successfully address diversity issues in schools today.
· Providing Professional development for teachers on how to use technology to differentiate instructional and meet the diverse needs of all
students.
· Identify and address the unique needs of students who have limited prior computer experience.
· Collecting/utilizing demographic or subgroup data for targeted school improvement.
· Modeling and advocating for the use of technology for challenging tasks and higher order thinking for all students (as opposed to using
technology for drill and practice).
· Identify specifically how technology can be used to address cultural differences.
· Creating equitable classrooms by advocating for the fair and effective distribution of technology resources.
· Ensuring that minority and low-income students experience leadership roles with technology.
Edyburn, Dave L. (2006). Failure is not an option. Learning and leading with technology.
Retrieved from https://kennesaw.view.usg.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2 l?
ou=344434tId=8592595
Smith, G. & Throne, S. (2009). Differentiating instruction with technology in middle school
classrooms. International Society for Technology in Education. Retrieved from
https://kennesaw.view.usg.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=336678&tId=85 92516.