25 | 09 | 2012

The course Design for Diversity (EDG3000) has me focusing on how lessons can be diversified - not only academically but also with regards to embracing/catering different cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds. Being that I am in an international school, I am finding that students are very aware and sensitive to different cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds as it is. I think this is due to the fact the majority of the students are sons and daughter of expatriates, whom therefore move around geographically. Students have been exposed to a lot more cultural groups than say a the son or a daughter of a couple who have stayed in the same geographic space their whole lives. Due to this fact, when it comes to catering for all people group, I find the students very receptive, respectful and knowledgeable.

When it comes to academic diversity, it is proving to be rather difficult in the exam classes (Key Stage 5). There is a set amount of work which students need to get through and a certain level to be achieved, meaning there seems to be less flexibility to diversify lessons. Time restrictions do not help, there seems to be a lot of work to get through and a very limited amount of time. Without a diverse assessment (exam) it seems a little tough to try and diversify the lessons. I am struggling to see how this is practically done.

Key Stage 3 (year 7,8,9) is different, they are not exam classes thus there is more flexibility to differentiate. My mentor is a fan of the MUST SHOULD COULD idea. I see it working well in his lessons. On each handout there are MUST SHOULD COULD tasks which everyone gets. So instead of giving an 'easier' handout to the SEN students and a 'more difficult' one to the GnT, he is giving everyone a chance to give it go. I notice that this avoids segregation in the class. I have seen and actually done this before, where I have created 3 groups by colour - Red (GnT), Blue (SEN), Yellow (Avg achievers). I made different worksheets and put them into their colour groups. They were very quick to notice it was done on academic level and in a nutshell, it did not go well. So I like this technique of letting everyone have a go.