LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO FACULTY OF

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, EDUCATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY

DIVERSITY IN THE CLASSROOM

COURSE CODE: EDT 222
COURSE TITLE: INSTRUCTIONAL COMMUNICATION MODEL AND
TECHNOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT: WRITE AND SPEAK ON DIVERSITY IN THE CLASSROOM

GROUP 8
ORHORHO JESSICA UVIETOBORE 210194078
AKINBOBOLA OLUWATUNMISE GRACE 210194062
AKINNIRE AANU O 220194126
OLADIPUPO AYOMIDE ISAAC 210194048
IDOWU DAVID DAMILOLA 210194081
ANOSIKE GREAT OKWUCHUKWU 210194017
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DIVERSITY IN THE CLASSROOM

Diversity in the classroom encompasses a broad spectrum of social

identities, including age, race, socioeconomic status, gender, disability, and
nationality. These identities are often intertwined and evolve over time,
making the classroom a complex and multifaceted environment.

Types of Diversity:
Diversity in the classroom can be categorized into various dimensions, including:

1. Ability diversity: Variances in physical, mental, and learning capabilities.

2. Age diversity: Differences in students' ages.

3. Gender diversity: Variations in gender identity and expression.

4. Ethnic diversity: Distinctions in race, ethnicity, national origin, and languages spoken at
home.

5. Religious diversity: Differing religious affiliations and values.

6. Socioeconomic diversity: Disparities in income, education, occupations, and housing stability

among students and their families.

7. Experiential diversity: Varied life experiences such as immigration, military service, adoption,
or foster care.

8. Sexual orientation diversity: Differences in students' sexual orientations.

9. Geographic diversity: Variances in local or regional identity based on students' locations.

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It's essential to recognize that diversity goes beyond visible differences and includes variations
in learning styles, personalities, mental health, and more, which may not be immediately
apparent.

Importance of Valuing Inclusion:

Promoting inclusivity in the classroom creates a more respectful and conducive learning
environment for all students. Teaching students to use accurate terminology to describe their
social identity from an early age encourages self-affirmation and acceptance.

Teaching Diversity to Elementary School Students:

Elementary school is a crucial stage for introducing diversity education. Teaching young
students about diversity helps them appreciate differences among people and cultures. In
today's increasingly diverse world, educators and resources must emphasize inclusion, respect,
and justice for all.

Benefits of Early Diversity Education:

Learning about diversity from a young age fosters inclusive and empathetic interactions,
preparing students to understand and respect individuals with differing experiences and
perspectives. Children often exhibit curiosity about various aspects of different cultures, a
curiosity that teachers should actively encourage and nurture.

Building Future Inclusive Leaders:

Fostering appreciation for diversity and support for individuals from diverse backgrounds in
childhood paves the way for future generations to become strong leaders in diverse and
inclusive communities.
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10 Strategies to Support Diversity in the Classroom:

1. Evaluate Teaching Materials:

- Review your curriculum materials, textbooks, and resources to ensure they represent diverse
perspectives, cultures, and experiences.

- Seek out educational materials that feature authors, characters, and stories from different
backgrounds.

- Analyze historical and cultural accuracy in the content and avoid perpetuating stereotypes.

2. Get to Know Your Students (and their backgrounds):

- Start the school year by sending a culturally sensitive survey to understand your students'
backgrounds and experiences.

- Show genuine interest in your students' cultures, languages, and identities. Building trust
and rapport with your students is essential.

- Use this information to tailor your teaching to the needs and interests of your students.

3. Address Inequality:

- Explore historical and current examples of inequality, discrimination, and social justice
issues with your students.

- Engage in meaningful discussions about these topics, encouraging critical thinking and
empathy.

- Use real-life scenarios to help students understand the impact of inequality on people's lives.
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4. Connect with Parents:

- Establish an open line of communication with parents to create a supportive learning

environment.

- Share your approach to teaching diversity and inclusion with parents and welcome their
input.

- Encourage parents to share their own cultural backgrounds and experiences with the class.

5. Be a Culturally Responsive Educator:

- Actively educate yourself about different cultural backgrounds through reading, workshops,
and seminars.

- Recognize and confront your own unconscious biases, and strive to be culturally aware and
sensitive.

- Incorporate diverse perspectives into your teaching and classroom activities.

6. Seek out Professional Development Opportunities:

- Attend workshops, conferences, and professional development courses that focus on

diversity and inclusion in education.

- Collaborate with colleagues to share best practices and resources related to diversity
education.

- Stay updated on the latest research and strategies in the field.

7. Honesty about Cultural Biases:

- Reflect on your own cultural biases and be open about your own background and
perspectives.

- Create an environment where students feel safe discussing their own biases and experiences.
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- Encourage self-awareness and introspection among students, fostering open dialogue and
mutual understanding.

8. Include Multilingual Signage:

- Decorate your classroom with signs, posters, and bulletin boards that feature messages in
multiple languages.

- This not only reflects the cultural diversity of the class but also helps students become
familiar with different scripts and languages.

- Encourage students to contribute to the classroom decor by sharing words and phrases in
their native languages.

9. Invite Guest Speakers:

- Arrange for guest speakers from diverse backgrounds to visit your classroom and share their
experiences.

- These speakers can provide firsthand insights into their cultures, careers, and personal
journeys.

- Guest speakers may include parents, community members, professionals, or experts in

various fields.

10. Take Field Trips to Cultural Events:

- Plan field trips to local cultural events, festivals, museums, or historical sites.

- These outings offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures,
traditions, and histories.

- Encourage students to engage with and learn from the people they meet during these trips,
fostering a deeper understanding of diversity.
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REFERENCE

American University. (n.d.). Diversity in the Classroom. Retrieved from

https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/diversity-in-the-classroom/

University of San Diego. (n.d.). 10 Ways to Teach Diversity in the Classroom. Retrieved

from https://pce.sandiego.edu/10-ways-to-teach-diversity-in-the-classroom/