Diversity
Diversity is a popular topic in education today. However, we rarely stop and think about how complex an issue diversity is. Diversity encompasses ethnicity, gender, language proficiency, economic status, learning styles, learning disability, readiness profiles, and other special needs. Diversity itself is a diverse topic, but if educators can find ways of addressing all of their students diverse needs, the students’ ability to learn will be greatly increased.
Throughout this program, I have studied each facet of Diversity and gained knowledge in how to accommodate for diverse learner needs through technology. A student’s language proficiency can be addressed through having more visual elements to an online environment or using translation software, but being very careful because those are often faulty. Learning styles can be addressed by differentiating the process and product by providing a variety of methods for completing a task online. For example, a student could write a blog to show their mastery of a topic or they could create video. Student readiness can be aided by technology by using remediation software and online tutorials to get a student up to the expected level before diving into the higher levels of technology integration. Learning disabilities and other special needs can be addressed through adaptive and assistive technologies.
I have also gained skills in each of these areas. I have learned how to edit audio, video, and graphics. These can be used to assist diverse learners with different learning styles, language proficiencies, and learning disabilities. I have learned how to create UDL friendly web quests and web sites. I have developed skills for giving feedback to individual students online to differentiate their learning. I have researched ways to provide equitable access to students who do not have computer or Internet access at home.
Learning these skills required me to learn new dispositions for creating technology infused lessons. It is easy to create a lesson that is catered to a person who is exactly like me, it requires much more patience and effort to create one that allows access for all students. This program has taught me that I must be patient, thorough, and intentional in my lesson design. These dispositions have allowed me to accomplish many achievements in preparing to reach the wide scope of diverse learners.
Below are some examples of these achievements:
· Presented a professional learning seminar on Flipped Instruction with technology including methods for reaching students without internet access
· Designed an Excel spreadsheet to disaggregate classroom data by ethnicity, gender, language proficiency, and special needs and trained other teachers in its use
· Participated in a BYOT program to increase student access to technology
· Provided students with opportunities to explore concepts with hands on technology
· Designed and implemented online learning experiences that differentiated based on readiness and learning style
· 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).
· Research and implement new technologies in the classroom that provide for multiple intelligences
· Made use of translation software to assist students with limited English Proficiency
· Suggested applications for a student who needed voice to text software
Throughout this program, I have studied each facet of Diversity and gained knowledge in how to accommodate for diverse learner needs through technology. A student’s language proficiency can be addressed through having more visual elements to an online environment or using translation software, but being very careful because those are often faulty. Learning styles can be addressed by differentiating the process and product by providing a variety of methods for completing a task online. For example, a student could write a blog to show their mastery of a topic or they could create video. Student readiness can be aided by technology by using remediation software and online tutorials to get a student up to the expected level before diving into the higher levels of technology integration. Learning disabilities and other special needs can be addressed through adaptive and assistive technologies.
I have also gained skills in each of these areas. I have learned how to edit audio, video, and graphics. These can be used to assist diverse learners with different learning styles, language proficiencies, and learning disabilities. I have learned how to create UDL friendly web quests and web sites. I have developed skills for giving feedback to individual students online to differentiate their learning. I have researched ways to provide equitable access to students who do not have computer or Internet access at home.
Learning these skills required me to learn new dispositions for creating technology infused lessons. It is easy to create a lesson that is catered to a person who is exactly like me, it requires much more patience and effort to create one that allows access for all students. This program has taught me that I must be patient, thorough, and intentional in my lesson design. These dispositions have allowed me to accomplish many achievements in preparing to reach the wide scope of diverse learners.
Below are some examples of these achievements:
· Presented a professional learning seminar on Flipped Instruction with technology including methods for reaching students without internet access
· Designed an Excel spreadsheet to disaggregate classroom data by ethnicity, gender, language proficiency, and special needs and trained other teachers in its use
· Participated in a BYOT program to increase student access to technology
· Provided students with opportunities to explore concepts with hands on technology
· Designed and implemented online learning experiences that differentiated based on readiness and learning style
· 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).
· Research and implement new technologies in the classroom that provide for multiple intelligences
· Made use of translation software to assist students with limited English Proficiency
· Suggested applications for a student who needed voice to text software