Diversity
In schools all over the world there are so many different types of cultures and backgrounds. Each year I get the privilege of working with so many different types of students with unique talents and learning styles. I have always admired diversity and intentionally chose to further my education at Kennesaw State University because of the diverse group of students and staff that are apart of such a well-respected school. Diversity is such an exceptional thing. I love how schools are full of diverse populations where students have different social, ethnic and gender backgrounds. The positive thing about diversity is that students have the opportunity to learn from one another and experience different ways of communicating knowledge. As a technology leader, I truly believe that in order to effectively meet the needs of a diverse student population, educators need to implement authentic teaching practices that will support the needs of all students regardless of their social, ethnic or gender background. This belief can be mastered by first creating a welcoming classroom where differences are celebrated and embraced by the teacher and students. The classroom is the perfect place to raise awareness and teach about diversity that exists around us. Being aware of these diversities makes it easier for teachers to understand individual students and make accommodations to meet their needs so they can achieve academic success.
During my experience in the Instructional Technology program, I have learned the imperativeness of being knowledgeable of diversity as well as how it effects students beyond race and ethnic backgrounds. If you take a deeper look, one will see that looking at socioeconomic and disabilities plays an important factor with diversity too. There is also a great need for awareness when it comes to gender bias. Educators must be sure to avoid feeding into roles that people feel certain genders should take on. I have learned that technology has the ability to serve all students regardless of their background or gender and can be manipulated to support instructional needs through effective digital tools and resources. Throughout my coursework I have worked with ELL and students with disabilities and have learned how to promote diversity in many meaningful ways. This program has given me the disposition and skills necessary for implementing technology in a technique that supports teachers and other educators with meeting the educational needs of all levels of learners.
Listed below are the specific learning experiences that demonstrates my ability to address diversity:
During my experience in the Instructional Technology program, I have learned the imperativeness of being knowledgeable of diversity as well as how it effects students beyond race and ethnic backgrounds. If you take a deeper look, one will see that looking at socioeconomic and disabilities plays an important factor with diversity too. There is also a great need for awareness when it comes to gender bias. Educators must be sure to avoid feeding into roles that people feel certain genders should take on. I have learned that technology has the ability to serve all students regardless of their background or gender and can be manipulated to support instructional needs through effective digital tools and resources. Throughout my coursework I have worked with ELL and students with disabilities and have learned how to promote diversity in many meaningful ways. This program has given me the disposition and skills necessary for implementing technology in a technique that supports teachers and other educators with meeting the educational needs of all levels of learners.
Listed below are the specific learning experiences that demonstrates my ability to address diversity:
- Provided professional development for teachers on how to use technology to differentiate instruction and collaborate to meet the diverse needs of all students using Spiral.
- Participated in a field experience where I researched and identified assistive and adaptive technology resources to support the learning of students with disabilities.
- Creating online lessons to accommodate various learning styles using the Multimedia Design Project and Internet Lesson.
- Working collaboratively with a group of educators to meet the needs of a students’ EIP.
- Creating the W.A.T.I Assistive Technology Consideration Guide to design an assistive technology plan.
- Providing professional development to colleagues on Web. 2.0 tools such as Kahoot, Learn Zillion, and Edmodo.
- Creating and implementing an online course that met the needs of a diverse population of students.
- Ensuring that minority and low-income students experience technology in an authentic and real-world practice.
- Helping students troubleshoot technology through one-on-one help and real-world experiences.
- Identifying specifically how technology can be used to address cultural differences.
- Reviewing software and web resources for bias or insensitivity.
- Collecting/utilizing demographic or subgroup data for targeted school improvement.