In order for educators to ensure their students are attaining a quality education and are leaving school as productive, educated members of society, it is essential that educators have sufficient knowledge of student diversity, the resources/programs available to them and are able to devise and implement the curriculum in a way that is inclusive to all students. According to Definition of Diversity diversity is best described as the “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.” Therefore, diversity is the ability to recognize and accept that no one person is the same, and that educators and students must be respectful and inclusive of all people and their different cultures. They must not discriminate but “embrace” their differences in order to move forward as a nurturing and inclusive world. An interview was conducted with a mother of 5 children, who migrated from England when she was 16 years of age (see Appendix). Her father worked as a coal miner who left school early and studied
Poverty is a serious issue which our society and children faces every day. It is a constant struggle that shouldn’t be ignored. UNICEF states “The study of OECD countries in 2007, over fourteen percent of Australian children under the age of eighteen are currently living in households who are defined as poor or with incomes less than half of the median national income”. The increase in the number and percentage of children living in poverty within our society has contributed to making today's classrooms more diverse than ever it has been. This highlights and makes both teaching and learning more challenging. Diversity exists in the students who are living in poverty and the education assistant and teachers must provide the concept of diversity
Educators should critically examine their own values, beliefs, and attitudes related to difference in diversity because we as individuals all have different experiences, beliefs, values and attitudes that can be quite diverse. Staying mindful of this difference is essential in professional practice. For this to really be effective, you need to critically reflect on how your own life events have shaped your beliefs, values and attitudes. Educators must put all assumptions and bias’s aside and keep an open mind when dealing with these differences. For example, by reflecting on your background, you can become aware of biases and prejudices that may impact on your relationship with others from different backgrounds. Once identified, you can then
Students have their own best way in effectively learning the lesson. With the diversity of students, the problem is each student has a preferred learning style. It becomes undeniably one of the reasons that make it difficult to achieve the best expected outcome out of teachers’ effort. However, teachers try to incorporate various teaching techniques to make every learning opportunity become productive, meaningful, and relevant for the learners.
This course focuses on important to teach students about diversity to help them develop empathy for others. We will read about diversity and cultures to help students understand what diversity really means and how it applies to them. Diversity focuses on race, gender, ethnicity, and cultural and how it pertains to the classroom and everyday life. This course is here to enlighten students of the differences of others and how to be sensitive to everyone’s cultures and beliefs. Consists of developing positive relationships among diverse groups and individuals to fight stereotyping and promote unity (Bank & McGee, 2013).
Diversity is about recognising, valuing and taking account of people's different backgrounds, knowledge, skills, and experiences, and encouraging and using those differences to create a productive and effective educational community and workforce.
However previous to this discussion the classroom was a learning environment that was systematically equipped to assimilate. We as students fell into the curriculum but often times had difficulty identifying with the material presented. Essentially, the presence of diversity is useless if we do not dig deeper into each culture represented. Equally important, is the significance of each culture finding themselves within the curriculum. When topics such as racial tensions in America are presented in the classroom individuals from different cultural backgrounds and walks of life are not only present but seen vividly throughout the courses of society. This transition from a homogenous community to an imagined community can at times be
Educationalists have suggested that students’ understanding of their community and appreciation of diversity can be endorsed through opportunities to share values and challenge prejudices across the curriculum (DCSF 2007). School X recognises the role students play in the sustenance of a cohesive community. Due to the extremely diverse demographic of the community of Borough M, the council encourages the sustenance of a cohesive community in which all cultures are given equal importance (Gilligan, 2012). School X resonates this agenda, by promoting and celebrating diversity, and as an all-girls’ school, it recognises the importance of empowering young girls to facilitate their ownership of learning and progression. The school has been involved
All educators need to be made aware of all types of diversity they may encounter with their potential students. An educator does not need to have mastery of diversity, but they need to beware. Furthermore, once I retire from the United States Army I will start the next chapter of my life by being a high school teacher. Since being in the Army I feel I have been exposed to all types of diversity and I feel this will be a big advantage as I transition into teaching after my military carrier. The other experience that I was exposed to while being in the military is being selected to be a basic training Drill Sergeant, this assignment was like being a teacher because I was charged with the responsibility of transitioning civilians into Soldiers. This assignment was challenging as well as rewarding. Teaching is dedicating one’s self to lifelong learning, as educators, we have to continuously evolve in order to prepare our students for life’s many challenges. Furthermore, through my personal experience of dealing with various types of diversity I will give my personal assessment of my own cultural competence, also I will describe at least two strategies that will enhance my own
Jonathan Kozol, a Harvard University scholar, witnessed the travesty of racial segregation within the inner city public educational system. After many years of teaching and exposure to substandard classrooms with dilapidated furniture, a shortage of materials to engage a pupil’s mind and a disproportionate diversity ratio, he could no longer tolerate the conditions in which he was surrounded. Kozol’s frustration compelled him to become a staunch advocate for disadvantaged children so that they might receive equal rights to a quality education.
Diversity is an ongoing discussion in day-to-day life. Not many situations occur without diversity having a role. There are a multitude of topics that introduces or involves diversity, to include age, sex, race, gender, ethnicity and so on. Prior to participating in this Diversity Awareness class, I’ve always thought diversity was more geared around discrimination and racism. Through weekly readings and discussions, I have discovered that diversity is much broader than that. There are many countries that are mixed culturally
Diversity incorporates different races, religions, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations. It is the understanding that every individual is unique. The real world has a variety of different races, genders and cultures. According to data collected in 2010, there has been five U.S. States where the population is considered a majority-minority (U.S Census Bureau). The United States is leading to a more diverse future that is why it is so vital for people to learn to respect and tolerate different cultures and religions. Schools play a big part in embracing and introducing diversity to learning children. For this reason, I believe diversity in education should be supported by school administration and understood by children.
“How important is cultural diversity at your school?” talks about how school employees and parents can help students learn how to function in multicultural, multiethnic environments. This skill can benefit students greatly since the Census Bureau estimates the minority population will become the majority population by the year 2100. So schools are having to be proactive in acknowledging diversity. New teachers are being taught ways to adapt to the cultural differences in the classroom, but some have also stated that their training has not helped with these challenges. One way for teachers to
Diversity in classrooms can open student’s minds to all the world has to offer. At times diversity and understanding of culture, deviant experiences and perspectives can be difficult to fulfill, but with appropriate strategies and resources, it can lead students gaining a high level of respect for those unlike them, preferably than a judgmental and prejudiced view.
“We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community and this nation” (Cesar Chavez). Students develop an image based on factors, such as parental teachings, influences by peers, education, and much more. As this world progresses into the future, we should make sure that our actions help with strengthening the diversity among us. How can people benefit from diversity? Diversity provides exposure to others’ cultures, which helps us grasp more knowledge about the world we all live in. Students would be able to befriend other students from diverse backgrounds. The vision for diversity in schools should include the reasoning for diversity, the purpose and benefits, and the understanding of several types of diversity.
As of July 1, 2011, there are 36, 708, 083 people in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2017a). 1.2% higher than the population last year, which was 36, 264, 604 people of all ages and both sexes (Statistics Canada, 2017b). The growth of population in Canada, which in this case powered largely by immigration, increases not only the human capital, but the diversity in every province as well. Hence, as diversity expands, there is also a rampant growth in religion. In 2011, there are 108 religions observed in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2011) - Christianity, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu – to name a few. These demographics have connotations on how diversity in school is also evident.