Diversity
In the coming years, our student population will continue to become increasingly diversified. Not only should teachers be prepared to work in a diverse environment with their students, but they should, in turn, prepare their students to learn, live, interact, and work in a diverse society. The word "diversity" includes a broad range of terms including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, economic status, educational status, language, geographic region, physical and sensory abilities, ancestry, and gender. An effective educator will value diversity and use diversity to ensure continued success within the classroom and to support a positive school culture. It is not only necessary to accept and embrace diversity, but teachers should be moving towards cultural proficiency. Cultural proficiency is a commitment to lifelong learning to understand and deepen respect for other cultures and cultural differences.
Through this program, I have been given the opportunity to learn about the facilitation and application of technology in an educational setting and, ultimately, I will implement this knowledge in a variety of diverse scenarios. Throughout each course, I have been provided assignments, reading, and lessons that have allowed me to develop a stronger understanding of diversity and, inevitably, move closer towards cultural proficiency as an educator. I have been given the opportunity to analyze the school population and demographics and provide technological suggestions that would benefit our diverse students through the SWOT Analysis and Action Plan assignments. I have learned the elements of universal design when creating and implementing web design. I have read and reflected about the Digital Divide and how it applies to the current educational status. I have experienced new web tools that can be used for differentiation for all types of learners. Through this newly gained knowledge and skill, I have been able to successfully address diversity issues in my school and classroom as follows:
Through this program, I have been given the opportunity to learn about the facilitation and application of technology in an educational setting and, ultimately, I will implement this knowledge in a variety of diverse scenarios. Throughout each course, I have been provided assignments, reading, and lessons that have allowed me to develop a stronger understanding of diversity and, inevitably, move closer towards cultural proficiency as an educator. I have been given the opportunity to analyze the school population and demographics and provide technological suggestions that would benefit our diverse students through the SWOT Analysis and Action Plan assignments. I have learned the elements of universal design when creating and implementing web design. I have read and reflected about the Digital Divide and how it applies to the current educational status. I have experienced new web tools that can be used for differentiation for all types of learners. Through this newly gained knowledge and skill, I have been able to successfully address diversity issues in my school and classroom as follows:
- Providing professional development for teachers on how to use web tools to provide differentiation for gifted students and students with disabilities
- Collecting and analyzing demographic data, specifically looking at the English as a second language, students with disabilities, and EIP populations, for the School Strategic Plan in order to improve student achievement
- Modeling and advocating for the use of technology for challenging tasks and higher order thinking for minority students and EIP students and providing lessons that facilitate this type of technology use in the classroom for other teachers
- Ensuring that minority and low-income students experience leadership roles with technology by completing projects and assignments that are technology-based and providing equitable access to minority and low-income students
- Collaborating with other teachers and administrators about the use of technology within the classroom and discussing how technology can address the needs of students with disabilities, gifted students, ESOL students, EIP students, low income students, and minority students
- Identifying and addressing the unique needs of learners with limited prior computer experiences and providing support for these students