Diversity
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was quoted as saying, “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” To me this statement drives the course home for how we should look at addressing diversity. One of the assignments I used in the past with my students was to have my students look at the tags in all their clothes they wore that day and bring the list of locations to class the next day. When students saw on a map all the places where their clothes came from and were able to discuss and realize all the steps in how those clothes were made and came into being in their possession in the United States, their eyes and minds were opened in a way that had not been done previously. Not only is this exercise relevant to students, but it is also relevant for teachers, coaches and leaders in bringing awareness of our globally connectedness to the forefront.
As a teacher and technology facilitator, it is important that to be prepared to learn about how technology can be utilized to engage all types of students and ensuring that all teachers are up to the task as well. As revealed in the data overview, my school has a diverse staff and student population. Learning how address using the technology available to meet the needs of our students while addressing diversity was accomplished during the various tasks and assignments in this program. By completing the data overview of my school, I was made acutely aware of the changes in diversity at my school and how those students are performing academically. Part of the reason, I wanted to share this information with the faculty at my school was to dispel common misperceptions about the diversity and performance of certain student populations and to inform them about the diversity trends at our school. They were surprised not only by their biases during the interactive presentation, but also about the changes to the population and our lack of a plan to address those changes.
During my experience in the Instructional Technology program here at Kennesaw State University, I have been presented with learning opportunities which helped prepare me for meeting the diverse needs of students while incorporating technology. The following list demonstrates some of the ways that I addressed diversity issues in my school this year.
· Taught about Africa, the Middle East and Asia in a culturally responsive manner via Adobe Connect
· Use technology to incorporate different languages and music from different cultures
· Ask students to share different cultural experiences using screen casting and webcams
· Allow students choice in the process of demonstrating mastery of standards via the use of Microsoft Office programs,
Google Education Suite of programs, Prezi, and Google Tour Builder
· Collaborate via Google Hangout with the Special Education teachers, participate in IEP Meetings via Adobe Connect and
help to connect a family with assistive technology resources
· Teach and modify lessons assessments for students with 504 plans in Adobe Connect
· Collaborate with ELL students and modify lessons to support their learning in Adobe Connect
· Collaborate with sponsors in Google Hangouts and Facilitate Girls Who Code Meetings in Adobe Connect
· Meet low performing students varying levels of SES at local library to help with technology-based strategies for
accomplishing their academic goals
· Took students on field trip to learn about civil rights in US and India and share that field trip experience virtually with students
who could not attend in person and led a workshop showing teachers how to share their field trip experiences equitably with
all their students and increase access.
As a teacher and technology facilitator, it is important that to be prepared to learn about how technology can be utilized to engage all types of students and ensuring that all teachers are up to the task as well. As revealed in the data overview, my school has a diverse staff and student population. Learning how address using the technology available to meet the needs of our students while addressing diversity was accomplished during the various tasks and assignments in this program. By completing the data overview of my school, I was made acutely aware of the changes in diversity at my school and how those students are performing academically. Part of the reason, I wanted to share this information with the faculty at my school was to dispel common misperceptions about the diversity and performance of certain student populations and to inform them about the diversity trends at our school. They were surprised not only by their biases during the interactive presentation, but also about the changes to the population and our lack of a plan to address those changes.
During my experience in the Instructional Technology program here at Kennesaw State University, I have been presented with learning opportunities which helped prepare me for meeting the diverse needs of students while incorporating technology. The following list demonstrates some of the ways that I addressed diversity issues in my school this year.
· Taught about Africa, the Middle East and Asia in a culturally responsive manner via Adobe Connect
· Use technology to incorporate different languages and music from different cultures
· Ask students to share different cultural experiences using screen casting and webcams
· Allow students choice in the process of demonstrating mastery of standards via the use of Microsoft Office programs,
Google Education Suite of programs, Prezi, and Google Tour Builder
· Collaborate via Google Hangout with the Special Education teachers, participate in IEP Meetings via Adobe Connect and
help to connect a family with assistive technology resources
· Teach and modify lessons assessments for students with 504 plans in Adobe Connect
· Collaborate with ELL students and modify lessons to support their learning in Adobe Connect
· Collaborate with sponsors in Google Hangouts and Facilitate Girls Who Code Meetings in Adobe Connect
· Meet low performing students varying levels of SES at local library to help with technology-based strategies for
accomplishing their academic goals
· Took students on field trip to learn about civil rights in US and India and share that field trip experience virtually with students
who could not attend in person and led a workshop showing teachers how to share their field trip experiences equitably with
all their students and increase access.