The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual (University of Oregon, 1999).
Diversity exist among students having Internet access outside of school. This issue can be addressed by providing an opportunity for students to use the Internet before, during and after school. Wi-Fi connectivity has been established at all the facilities in the school district. Providing a central location for students to use the school’s Wi-Fi would address the needs of students with a low social economic status having access to the Internet and allowing students to check-out electronic devices would meet the need for having devices to access any web-based resources. Project-based learning and blended learning allows diverse learners to work at his or her own pace, providing differentiated learning and increasing student engagement.
Considerations for diverse learners with disabilities will also be meet with the use of project-based and blended learning. Students with disabilities will have the same expectations of learning, but they will have assistive technologies to help achieve the vision of all students being able to use an online learning platform and complete project-based learning activities. This type of learning environment offers more hands-on approaches to learning which promotes a variety of learning styles and allows diverse learners to be successful. All students can learn, they just learn in different ways and at different levels.
Activities that demonstrate my ability to successfully address diversity issues in today’s schools are:
References
University of Oregon, 1999. Definition of diversity. Retrieved on October 31, 2016 from http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~asuomca/diversityinit/definition.html
Diversity exist among students having Internet access outside of school. This issue can be addressed by providing an opportunity for students to use the Internet before, during and after school. Wi-Fi connectivity has been established at all the facilities in the school district. Providing a central location for students to use the school’s Wi-Fi would address the needs of students with a low social economic status having access to the Internet and allowing students to check-out electronic devices would meet the need for having devices to access any web-based resources. Project-based learning and blended learning allows diverse learners to work at his or her own pace, providing differentiated learning and increasing student engagement.
Considerations for diverse learners with disabilities will also be meet with the use of project-based and blended learning. Students with disabilities will have the same expectations of learning, but they will have assistive technologies to help achieve the vision of all students being able to use an online learning platform and complete project-based learning activities. This type of learning environment offers more hands-on approaches to learning which promotes a variety of learning styles and allows diverse learners to be successful. All students can learn, they just learn in different ways and at different levels.
Activities that demonstrate my ability to successfully address diversity issues in today’s schools are:
- Providing one-on-one instructions (professional development) for teachers on how to use and set-up Google Classroom, Remind, and Class Dojo.
- Adjusting the language settings for ELL students on a reading interactive software.
- Modeling and facilitating students use of technology (Google Docs) to write and publish sentences about the day and night sky.
- Collaborating with administrators about allowing students to check-out electronic devices from the school to use a home, increasing access equity,
- Collecting and utilizing demographic and subgroup (gender) data for the School Improvement Plan.
- Providing assistive technologies for students with physical disabilities and visual impairment through the use of large touch screen monitors.
References
University of Oregon, 1999. Definition of diversity. Retrieved on October 31, 2016 from http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~asuomca/diversityinit/definition.html