Diversity
“Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.” -Jacqueline Woodson
In education students are so vastly different. Students have different ethnicities, cultures, academic capabilities, strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, and socioeconomic status. When teachers walk into the classroom these differences have to be addressed. Diversity has to be addressed. This is way there is this push in education to differentiate the classroom. Give students what they need or create individualized lesson plans for the students. Meeting the demands of diversity in the classroom can be a difficult task and it does require professional development for teachers to understand how to do it correctly. Meeting the diversity needs may be difficult but it is needed. Students have needs that must be met in order for them to achieve academic growth. This is true even when it comes to using technology in education. The great digital divide has to be considered.
In this Masters of Instructional Technology program they put a lot of emphasis on different ways for technology coaches to meet the demands of the digital divide. In the program there were a lot of things that I had to do to address the digital divide. The following is a list of professional experiences that I completed which demonstrates my ability to address diversity issues successfully in schools and classrooms.
These are just a few of the experiences that I did to help meet the diversity needs in technology integration in education. Technology is very important to add to any classroom and school setting but all students’ needs must be met. The most important lesson I have learned through this experience is that everyone gets the opportunity to learn and grow, no matter who they are or where they come from. Developing this kind of awareness and sensitivity has made me a better teacher and a better support for teachers and students alike.
In education students are so vastly different. Students have different ethnicities, cultures, academic capabilities, strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, and socioeconomic status. When teachers walk into the classroom these differences have to be addressed. Diversity has to be addressed. This is way there is this push in education to differentiate the classroom. Give students what they need or create individualized lesson plans for the students. Meeting the demands of diversity in the classroom can be a difficult task and it does require professional development for teachers to understand how to do it correctly. Meeting the diversity needs may be difficult but it is needed. Students have needs that must be met in order for them to achieve academic growth. This is true even when it comes to using technology in education. The great digital divide has to be considered.
In this Masters of Instructional Technology program they put a lot of emphasis on different ways for technology coaches to meet the demands of the digital divide. In the program there were a lot of things that I had to do to address the digital divide. The following is a list of professional experiences that I completed which demonstrates my ability to address diversity issues successfully in schools and classrooms.
- Participated in a field experience working with an English Language Learner to increase reading comprehension skills and written expression.
- Participated in a field experience working with a student with a disability to identify assistive technology to increase academic ability in math, writing, and reading.
- Developed a presentation for school leaders and made recommendations for school improvement based on collection and analysis of student data, including demographic data.
- Modeled and advocated for the use of technology for challenging tasks and higher order thinking for all students (as opposed to using technology for drill and skill).
- Identified specifically how technology can be used to address learning differences.
- Developed and facilitated learning experiences for students with limited computer/ technology related experience
- Identified and shared how technology can be utilized to expand students’ cultural and global awareness
- Ensured equitable access to digital tools and resources for all students, and collaborated with parents to assist with special situations involving access at home.
These are just a few of the experiences that I did to help meet the diversity needs in technology integration in education. Technology is very important to add to any classroom and school setting but all students’ needs must be met. The most important lesson I have learned through this experience is that everyone gets the opportunity to learn and grow, no matter who they are or where they come from. Developing this kind of awareness and sensitivity has made me a better teacher and a better support for teachers and students alike.