Diversity
It doesn’t take long for even the newest, most inexperienced teacher to realize one of the most important characteristics of the class sitting in front of them – every single child is different. The students who walk into the teacher’s classroom are different races, genders, heights, weights, and that is just a small number of the physical differences that can be seen by the eye. Students are raised differently, with a wide variety of cultural differences influencing their upbringing. A range of socioeconomic statuses exist in the seats, along with an assortment of learning styles, and with them, likely a number of disabilities. Recognizing the differences exist is the first step in successfully reaching each student. Utilizing technology can make this process quicker and smoother, and give a teacher a representation of who that child is. During this program, I have learned a variety of methods of using technology to obtain this information, sort it, and make it useful for me. Though much of this information can be obtained from our system’s information system, much of it has to be attained differently. I have found that using online polls can assist me with determining learning preferences, gathering data on students’ prior knowledge, and how a students’ socioeconomic status may influence their ability to complete assignments outside of the classroom, due to a lack of resources or a obligatory part-time job.
Once a teacher has a clear picture of each student, the next step is to figure out how to best teach each child. This task is hard to accomplish under normal circumstances, but harnessing the power of technology can allow a teacher to use a variety of techniques. During my time in this program, I have learned that blended or online learning provides huge benefits to students who like to learn at their own pace and how to implement that type of program within my classroom, from the creation of the syllabus to the design of an individual learning module. I have learned about the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to meet the needs of all learners, applied these principles in an internet lesson as a class assignment, and advised others in the development of their lessons. I have learned about the benefits and various strategies for using technology to promote collaboration among students, which allows students of varying abilities and knowledge to work together to promote everyone’s knowledge. I have discovered offering a wide selection of digital tools and resources benefits students with differing interests and talents because it allows them to choose what they want and need according to their interests, talents, and learning styles. Most of all, I have learned that technology offers a unique opportunity to meet the needs of every student, despite their differences.
Specific examples of learning experiences I have completed during this program are:
Once a teacher has a clear picture of each student, the next step is to figure out how to best teach each child. This task is hard to accomplish under normal circumstances, but harnessing the power of technology can allow a teacher to use a variety of techniques. During my time in this program, I have learned that blended or online learning provides huge benefits to students who like to learn at their own pace and how to implement that type of program within my classroom, from the creation of the syllabus to the design of an individual learning module. I have learned about the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to meet the needs of all learners, applied these principles in an internet lesson as a class assignment, and advised others in the development of their lessons. I have learned about the benefits and various strategies for using technology to promote collaboration among students, which allows students of varying abilities and knowledge to work together to promote everyone’s knowledge. I have discovered offering a wide selection of digital tools and resources benefits students with differing interests and talents because it allows them to choose what they want and need according to their interests, talents, and learning styles. Most of all, I have learned that technology offers a unique opportunity to meet the needs of every student, despite their differences.
Specific examples of learning experiences I have completed during this program are:
- Within my own classroom, I have worked with individual students who lacked internet access on a computer schedule before and after school that would allow them complete online assignments. I now advocate for this among schools in our system.
- I have advocated for the shift of computer lab time from drill activities to creativity-driven, technology-infused lessons by collaborating with school administration to make them aware of how time would be used and collaborating with teachers in the creation of these lessons.
- I have worked with administrators, advising them on purchases of hardware suited for students with specific sets of needs.
- I have advocated for the creation of equitable classrooms by advising administrators during technology purchases.
- I have worked with teacher to research and develop various strategies using technology designed to meet the needs of the students in their classrooms.
- I have recommended the use of digital tools and resources, like Skype and ePals, to assist teachers with the instruction on cultural differences throughout the world.