Student Diversity

You've probably heard someone say, "Everyone is unique."

Though it sounds really like a cliche, one cannot ignore the truth in it. As a facilitator of learning, the teacher is tasked to consider the individual differences among the students in planning for effective instruction.

In all learning environments, individuals interact with others who are in some way different from them. Factors such as gender; racial, ethnic or cultural background are just some of the differences we can see. Diversity also comes from other factors like the following:

1. Socio-economic status
2. Thinking and learning style
3. Exceptionalities

How Student Diversity enriches the Learning Environment

A teacher may be challenged to handle a class with students so diverse. There may be students having different cultural backgrounds, different language abilities, different attitudes, aptitudes, and behaviors. Some teachers might see this diversity as a difficult predicament, really a hassle! Yet a more reflective teacher may see a diverse classroom as an exciting place not just for her students but for herself as well. A wise teacher may choose to respect and celebrate diversity! Read on to discover the benefits and learning opportunities that student diversity can bring into your classroom.

1. Students' self-awareness is enhanced by diversity. Exposing students to others with diverse backgrounds and experiences also serves to help students focus on their awareness of themselves. When they see how others are different, students are given reference points or comparative perspectives which sharpen assessment of their own attitudes, values, and behaviors.

2. Student diversity contributes to cognitive development. The opportunity to gain access to the perspectives of peers and to learn from other students, rather than the instructor only, may be especially important for promoting the cognitive development of the learners. US Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan said that "The classroom is peculiarly the marketplace of ideas". The depth and breadth of student learning are enhanced by exposure to others from diverse backgrounds. Student diversity in the classroom brings about different points of view and varied approaches to the learning process. Over one hundred years ago, the German philosopher Nietzsche said that "The more affects we allow to speak about one thing, the more eyes, different eyes we can use to observe one thing the more complete will our concept of this thing, our objectivity be".

3. Student diversity prepares learners for their role as responsible members of society. Suzanne Morse stresses one competency that has strong implications for instructional strategies that capitalize on diversity: "The capacity to imagine situations or problems from all perspectives and to appreciate all aspects of diversity." Furthermore, she argues: "The classroom can provide more than just theory given by the teacher in a lecture. With student diversity, the classroom becomes a public place where community can be practiced."

4. Student diversity can promote harmony. When student diversity is integrated into the classroom teaching and learning processes, it can become a vehicle for promoting harmonious race relations. Through student-centered teaching strategies, diverse students can be encouraged to interact and collaborate with one another, on learning tasks that emphasize unity of effort while capitalizing on their diversity of backgrounds.


Source: Facilitating Learning by Lucas and Corpuz, Lorimar Publishing