DIVERSITY

WHEEL
 WHAT IS DIVERSITY WHEEL AND
WHY WAS IT CREATED?
The Diversity Wheel gives an overview of the dimensions of diversity that are
present and active in one’s workplace or environment. It consists of four layers of
diversity (personality, internal, external and organisational levels) through which
stimuli, information and experience are processed by all of us.
The above wheel of diversity has been adapted from Marilyn Loden’s Implementing
Diversity. The wheel was created to help ‘initiate conversations about similarities
and differences that cross societal and cultural boundaries.
 WHAT ARE THE 4 LAYERS OF
DIVERSITY
Level 1: Personality — shows how a person interacts with others and what his/her characteristics
are, whether s/he is an introvert, ambivert or extrovert, active or passive, a fast and dynamic doer
or a silent and reflective thinker etc., and how all these aspects together affect the way the person
is treated by others.
Examples Of Personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism
Level 2: Internal Dimensions — Internal diversity is related to what a person is born into. These
demographics are something a person is born with, and are a part of one’s inner concept of self.
Examples of internal diversity include race, ethnicity, age, nation of origin, gender identity,
sexual orientation, or physical ability.
Level 3: External Dimensions —External diversity types are characteristics a person is
heavily influenced by. These are demographics that a person has the option to change
through external action. .
Examples of external diversity include education, personal experiences, socioeconomic
status, spirituality, religion, citizenship, geographic location, or family status. 
Level 4: Organizational Dimensions —Diversity and a diverse work environment
positively impact the entire organization. These factors belong to the work we do or the
organizations where we work.
Examples of organizational diversity include job function, management status,
seniority, department, or union affiliation functional level, work content field,
division/department/unit/group, seniority, work location, union affiliation, management
status.
 HOW CAN THIS WHEEL OF DIVERSITY BE
USED IN CLASSROOM TEACHING?
In today’s culture and climate diversity is an important topic. Diversity is what makes each of
us different and includes many aspects: race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic
status, age, gender, religious beliefs and even political convictions. All of these components
come together to inform how we encounter the world and teachers today must know that each
child brings their own ideas, strengths and experiences to the classroom and all of these
differences can enrich the learning environment. As we teach children to prepare for college
or the workplace, teachers must address and embrace living and working in a diverse country.
Diversity in the classroom teaches children to appreciate different perspectives which is a
skill they will use the rest of their lives. However, many teachers struggle in this area because
they are not sure what diversity in the classroom even looks like. Here are a few strategies to
start diversifying your classroom.
 1.)Including diverse learning and teaching material is one way to bring
diversity into the classroom.
2.) Support students in differing viewpoints.
3. )Getting to know your students.
4. )Connect with parents and the community
5.) Celebrate diversity by acknowledging it and allowing children to celebrate
it at school
 REFLECTION
I understand that all students are different. I will learn everything I can about my
future students, so I can know how to teach for them. At the individual level,
diversity is a tough idea to understand since it calls for acceptance of a wide range
of cultural representations and beliefs, some of which are hard for others to
understand. Diversity must be understood in the context of its potential to have an
impact on people and give them a voice, even when there is no room for that voice
in an already crowded room. Diversity is experienced in the workplace, in social
situations, and in practically every other facet of life. At the individual level,
diversity is a tough idea to grasp since it calls for acceptance of a wide range of
cultural representations and beliefs, some of which are hard for others to
understand.
 Diversity must be understood in the context of its potential to have an impact on
people and give them a voice, even when there is no room for that voice in an
already crowded room. Diversity is experienced in the workplace, in social
situations, and in practically every other facet of life.
I think that getting to know each of my students and specifically setting higher
hopes for them will help them succeed in both the classroom and in the big scheme
of things. By being aware of and comprehending everything said above, I will be
able to help every learner attain their higher personal standards.