Diversity
Diversity is an important consideration for any teacher, especially if incorporating technology into our classrooms. There are many differences including ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, and special needs. Within each of these groups there contains even more diversity. An effective teacher or technology coach must be prepared to address the needs of every student. Technology makes it possible to address these needs with the almost unlimited number of resources that are available. I believe that every student is capable of being successful if they are given the right tools. I can find these tools and I know how to implement the use of them.
The key to finding success for all students is figuring out their learning styles and providing them with opportunities to personalize their learning. With the diversity present in our schools, it is evident that not all students learn the same. They need to have options of how they are going to learn material. This provides them with opportunities to develop skills that they are going to use well beyond their days in school. They also need to have choices in how they are going to demonstrate mastery of a concept. This will give them opportunities to find their strengths and fully develop them. This will also make them more passionate about the work they are doing.
In order to support students in personalizing their learning, I am able to find effective resources and I know how to implement them. As students are developing the skills necessary to participate in personalized learning, they need support from their teacher. It is important for the teacher to be able to locate resources that will help them learn the content and accommodate a variety of learning styles. Throughout this program, I have had many opportunities to support the needs of diverse learners. Some examples are listed below:
The key to finding success for all students is figuring out their learning styles and providing them with opportunities to personalize their learning. With the diversity present in our schools, it is evident that not all students learn the same. They need to have options of how they are going to learn material. This provides them with opportunities to develop skills that they are going to use well beyond their days in school. They also need to have choices in how they are going to demonstrate mastery of a concept. This will give them opportunities to find their strengths and fully develop them. This will also make them more passionate about the work they are doing.
In order to support students in personalizing their learning, I am able to find effective resources and I know how to implement them. As students are developing the skills necessary to participate in personalized learning, they need support from their teacher. It is important for the teacher to be able to locate resources that will help them learn the content and accommodate a variety of learning styles. Throughout this program, I have had many opportunities to support the needs of diverse learners. Some examples are listed below:
- Used Google Translate and other tools to support an ELL student with note taking and reading
- Supported student as they used assistive technology such as Dragon Dictation to help them take notes.
- Promoted a technology sharing program to get maximum use out of devices when they were not being used
- Provided opportunities for students to access devices either before school or after school
- Reviewed technology resources and ensured that they were fair for all students.
- Provided workshop for teachers to demonstrate how the learning management system can be used to support personalized learning
- Collaborated with technology team to help create resources that will assist teachers as they create courses in the learning management system that are accessible for all students.