Diversity
Diversity is such an important factor in our daily lives. I teach early elementary and I emphasize the importance of equality and fairness in every aspect in my classroom. I also teach my students that sometimes, things are not going to be fair and we have to accept that. No matter the abilities, the ethnic background, or gender; technology brings a level playing field to first graders. Since the technology that is used at the beginning of the year is very basic, everyone is considered to be on equal grounds, able to keep up, and produce somewhat equal projects. It is the one area in our curriculum that students are not comparing or competing. What a good feeling for those students who struggle in academic areas. As the students grow, they learn that through technology, students can showcase their strengths. Some are creativity and can show it with PowerPoints. Some write creative digital stories with their talents. Others prefer to be math champs at the interactive math drill games. Technology allows for everyone to be a superstar in an area that they are passionate about or most comfortable with.
As far as student population, our school has an ever changing population. I love seeing classes that are diversified with students of different cultures. This allows our younger students to be exposed to a more global world right in their very own classrooms. I make it a point in my class to recognize the different holidays that are celebrated by my students. I welcome the opportunity to learn more about the different cultures of students in my room. This always makes children feel special because they feel like they are the expert in this area and are educating me. Being of Hispanic descent, I know the emphasis that was put on my culture when I was young. It is a predominant part of the lives of young children. I like them knowing that their culture is not only important to them but it is important to me as well. I have noticed that in the past when I have shown interest in the cultures of my students, the other children also show interest and want to be empowered with knowledge about the heritage of their classmates. All of this provides for cultural proficiency, which is a lifelong commitment to understanding and respecting cultural differences.
In my Master’s program, we have learned about digital equity when providing technology lessons for our students. No matter the gender, race, or economic status of the child, lessons that include technology will be provided for all. Differentiating lessons to meet the needs of our diverse student population is of utmost priority to me.
In our studies in the Instructional Technology program, we have disaggregated data from our school CRCT scores which allowed us to see the breakdown of the scores for: race, gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. This data helps teachers realize the areas that need to be emphasized for the upcoming years. Some may feel uncomfortable doing this but disaggregating data opens the book a little farther on a school and lets the administration know where emphasis needs to be placed so gaps can be closed.
Throughout this Instructional Technology Master’s Program, I’ve been encouraged to promote differentiation for diverse populations. I have demonstrated my knowledge, skills, and disposition with diversity by initiating the following examples with my students, teammates, or staff at Timber Ridge:
· Using technology to explore cultural differences through e-books, Brainpop JR, encyclopedia Brittanica online, and www.timeforkids.com
· Conferencing with After School personnel to allow for technology resources to be available during the After School Program for all students
· Providing a Family Technology Night so parents could see technology in action in a first grade classroom
· Collecting subgroup data for math in order to allow data to drive our instruction
· Collaborating with administrators to bring more Web 2.0 tools into our classrooms
· Provided professional development for my staff to encourage them to start using digital tools in their lessons more often that would allow for differentiation
· Creating equitable classrooms by providing for all students even if it means having them come in during the after school hours
· Providing opportunities for technology enrichment after school for students with limited opportunities at home or for those that need review of academic skills
· Providing opportunities that involve higher level, critical thinking opportunities for gifted students
· At team meetings, share ways that digital tools can be used in our lessons
· Communicate with all parents through teacher blog to keep parents aware of classroom events and curriculum
· Planning Internet lessons and Webquests that allowed for differentiation including audio for students who had lower reading skills
· with students
· Completing the SWOT Analysis, which was a technology needs assessment on Timber Ridge
· Encourage all of students to enter the writing and/or art contests/Science Fair that Timber Ridge sponsors