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Keyi liu: diversity in schools means that there are different characteristics of students. As a 21st century teacher, it is significant to embrace these differences. Examining the importance of diversity plays an essential role in teaching.
Keyi liu: diversity in schools means that there are different characteristics of students. As a 21st century teacher, it is significant to embrace these differences. Examining the importance of diversity plays an essential role in teaching.
Keyi liu: diversity in schools means that there are different characteristics of students. As a 21st century teacher, it is significant to embrace these differences. Examining the importance of diversity plays an essential role in teaching.
Running head: A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
A Disposition for Diversity: Teaching in the 21st Century
Keyi Liu Wesleyan College
Author Note This paper was prepared for Introduction to Exceptional Children, taught by Professor Patrick Pritchard.
A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
A Disposition for Diversity: Teaching in the 21st Century As the student population in American schools became high, students in schools became more and more diverse. Diversity in schools means that there are different characteristics of students, and they are unique in their own way. There is an educational report that has illustrated that diversity includes not only race and ethnicity, but the range of visible and invisible factors that interact to form individual and social constructions of identity (ASH Higher Education Report, 2012). Specifically, students diverse identities and characteristics are regarded as they have different races, languages, cultural backgrounds, learning styles, cognitive and affective disabilities and so on. Therefore, diversity has always existed in schools. However, as a 21st century teacher, it is significant to embrace these differences and let students learn from each other. Additionally, understanding the diversity of students is also a meaningful way for educators and schools to work with specific educational reforms to meet the needs of all students. Hence, teachers and schools have the responsibility to respect diversity and strengthen a learning environment. Various differences exist in todays schools. Thus, paying attention to these diversities in classrooms becomes increasingly vital. For instance, a year ago I came to America. The differences of language, culture, and learning style made it hard for me to tackle different problems. Sometimes I could not fully comprehend my professors teaching. Fortunately, they understood how difficult it was for an international student to use second language, and they tried to find some easy ways to explain difficult problems for me. Combining with my personal experience, examining the importance of diversity plays an essential role in teaching. It is also undeniable that diversity has a great impact on education. For example, diversity in the classroom generates a more global perspective of ideas. Accordingly, there are three specific issues to expound diversity, and they are as follows: 1. How does a teacher show that she values and respects diversity in the classroom? 2. What are the dynamics of a diverse classroom?
A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
3. How can diversity strengthen a learning environment? Investigating these three units has crucial effects on analyzing the impact of diversity in the 21st century, and helping people who want to be teachers has a disposition for diversity. How does a teacher show that she values and respects diversity in the classroom? Teachers have a number of roles in the classroom. However, valuing and respecting diversity are two of the important roles that they have to fulfill. Not only teachers, but students also have to learn how to value and respect diversity. A teacher is one of the most important people in the school and teaches students how to value and respect peers who have different races, learning styles, disabilities and so on. As researchers Miller and Pedro (2006) have explained that children bring with them a wide range of behaviors to the classroom and teachers have to shape these behaviors appropriately to match what is expected in school and help students learn how to respect diversity (p. 294). Teachers can correct students behaviors and let them understand the meaning of respecting their classmates. They also can create a good environment where each student feels valued and respected. Thus, it is important for students to learn how to respect and value diversity in the classroom. Furthermore, as a teacher, it is also significant to respect the different identities and characteristics of students in the classroom. For instance, taking time to learn each students background, interest, and learning style. This is a means of having a better understanding of every student and finding a specific method to help students. Moreover, the teacher should allow students to do a lot of group work, so they can learn different beliefs and values from their classmates. This is another way to teach students new cultures and languages, to share different learning styles, and to respect diversity, regardless of ethnicity. During sharing and communicating with classmates, educators also need to teach students that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It is important to take advantages of the strengths of classmates and learn their advantages. Also, teachers should care about students unique strengths, weaknesses, and needs rather than treat them as generalized
A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
representatives of particular racial, ethnic or cultural groups. Additionally, sometimes, a group of students may have learning, physical, cognitive, and affective disabilities. As a teacher, one has to respect these special students and find proper and educational methods to let students improve. For instance, teachers can frequently communicate with special students and make a contact with their parents. According to Smith (2007), the concept of disability can mean many different things to each individual and each family involved (p. 6). In order to respect special kids, it is crucial to comprehend diverse perspectives of disabilities which help educators to know human behaviors. While teaching in the 21st century, one should use multieducational methods to respect diversity in the classroom, and also teach students how to respect classmates. What are the dynamics of a diverse classroom? A diverse classroom consists of different races, cultures, languages, learning styles and learning disabilities. However, the role of teachers in diverse classrooms is to embrace all of these diversities and make positive use of them. The difference of races is regarded as one of the most important features in a diverse classroom. There is an increasing number of different races coming to America to learn. As the authors Plessis and Bisschoff (2007) have investigated, universities continue to attract a rich mix of racial and culturally diverse students (p. 246). So, in a diverse classroom, students have more and more chances to communicate and share differences with fellow students. Learning style is regarded as another important feature in a diverse classroom. Determining each students learning style has a very positive effect on teaching. A teacher combines many learning styles and makes a positive use of these learning styles. It is also helpful for teachers to create an environment which is conducive to learning. According to Chittom (2012), learning styles are most often divided into three basic groups. There are the auditory learners, visual learners and kinesthetic or tactile learners. In addition to these basic groups, there are some minor learning styles
A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
such as verbal, logical, social and solitary styles (para. 3). The author indicates that auditory learners are good at listening. They do well with lecture and respond well to verbal instructions (para. 4). Visual learners benefit from a variety of ocular stimulation. They process information according to what they see and the images they have created in their mind (para. 6). Finally, kinesthetic learners best learn through touching, feeling and doing. They can respond well to object lessons if they are able to touch the object involved (para. 7). Although it is hard for teachers to combine each kind of learning style, one has an obligation to help student engage in class and to create a good environment for learning and sharing. Apart from students, instructors are also diverse. The diversity of teachers affects students a lot. The writers Plessis and Bisschoff (2007) illustrate that when we speak of diversity in the classroom, we usually focus on the diversity of the students in the room. However, we often forget that the teacher also brings a range of diversity issues to the classroom, and every teacher brings his or her physical appearance and culture into the room at the same time as the students do (p. 246). Different teachers also have different teaching strategies, beliefs and learning styles. Therefore, teachers can impact students a lot and they also represent the diversity in the classroom. How can diversity strengthen a learning environment? It is undeniable that diversity has many positive effects on students learning, and it also strengthens the learning environment. Everyone has their own cultural background. Various cultures in the classroom help develop students cultural sensitivity. Meanwhile, it also gives students a lot of chances to share their own beliefs and values with peers and learn from each other. The author Jensen also expounds that diverse cultures strengthen the learning environment, by exploring cultures and their differences and similarities, students develop an awareness of their own culture, as well as the cultures of their peers; and when they are taught to understand and accept cultural differences, they form a stronger sense of their own cultural identity (para. 1). It is beneficial for
A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
developing students engagement, and becoming more intellectual. Hence, the diversity of culture plays a very effective role in strengthening the learning environment. In addition, learning in a diverse environment is good for eliminating racism and learning how to understand others. Haas (1999) has clearly explained: students develop the ability to understand the ideas and feelings of others, which in later life makes them more likely to live in racially diverse communities, maintain friendships with people of different races and be able to function more effectively in an increasingly diverse workplace ( para. 5). This is good way for students to know the group differences. Therefore, it is vital for teachers to embrace diversity in the classroom and create an environment that is conducive for learning. In conclusion, investigating and considering these three issues have positive effects on analyzing the importance of diversity in education. As the student population in America is becoming increasingly diverse, educators and schools have to have a better understanding of diversity. According to diverse cultures, race, languages, learning styles and disabilities in students, it is important to use multi-educational methods to meet all kind of students needs. Moreover, in order to teach in the 21st century, one has to respect diversity in the classroom and teach students the importance of respecting people. Everyone needs respect, but they also need to respect surroundings. Furthermore, understanding the importance of diversity, educators also need to know what a diverse classroom looks like and realize that diversity can strengthen the learning environment. All of these ideas are regarded as very essential points in comprehending the importance of diversity in todays education.
A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
References Engaging Diversity Through Course Design and Preparation. (2012). ASHE Higher Education Report, 38(2), 65-82. Miller, R., & Pedro, J. (2006). Creating Respectful Classroom Environments. Early Childhood Education Journal, 33(5), 293-299. Doi:10.1007/s10643-006-0091-1 Smith, D. D. (2007). Introduction to special education: Make a difference. Boston. Plessis, P. D.,& Bisschoff, T. (2007). Diversity and complexity in the classroom: Valuing racial and cultural diversity. Educational Research and Review, 2(9), 245-254. Jensen, A. The advantages of diversity in a classroom. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/list_ 7633499_advantages-diversity-classroom.html Hass, M. (1999). Research shows diverse environment has education benefits. The University Record.