Diversity
In my classes I come to contact with a diverse student backgrounds and age. Sometimes the gap in ages seems to be a stumbling block to unity in class discussions. How can the content of discussion be narrowed to include different age groups?
I have to agree with you on this Morgan. Broadening the discussions will bring in different views from different backgrounds. This also builds a foundation for everyone to learn to respect other cultures, their beliefs and values. I think that not enough students, or in general, people out there that recognize the differences in culture or backgrounds, and from those differences, we think differently as well as have different morals or beliefs in life. All this should be respected from culture to culture and expressed to others.
I think the classroom setting is the perfect place to do this.
Hi Josh,
Good idea. As we both know the ability to get along with each other in the work place is critical to success. By moving the students around in terms of who they work with you are helping them to develop those needed skills.
Gary
I couldn't agree more. I have come across students with a multitude of differences that include: age, gender, race, socio-economic, religion and percieved class. I create a new seating chart each week so the students have an opportunity to work with each of their fellow classmates. I will often place two students together that I know just had some form of challege with eachother. This replicates a real life scenario that you may not always get along with your co-workers.
Hi Kris,
You forum response outlines an excellent way to use the resources you have available to you and those are the students. Coming from all walks of life and with a diversity of experiences you can really help all of the students to understand how they will need to work with different kinds of folks in different settings.
Gary
As a Culinary Instructor in a large city our diversity is huge and we (instructors) use this to our advantage.
Everyone has some experience unique to them, that can be shared with the class. As long as the Instructors build extra discussion time and kitchen time to our lesson plans, it increases the educational experience far more than just what comes from the syllabus and instructor alone.
I understand how it is to have diversity in age as well as backgrounds. It is not uncommon to have students from another country in my classroom. I try to treat everyone on the same level plane, if somebody needs help understanding the course or discussion, I will stop and reword some of the content to maybe help them understand what we are discussing. That is the great thing about the English language, we can reword some of the info to make it easier to understand and it still means the same thing....
I think that the best way to deal with this issue of diversity is to start by using the Socratic method in discussions. In doing so, you would ask key questions such as 'what ethnicity might this design appeal to the most, and why' during or following a lecture, using a design course as an example here. Instead of waiting for students to raise their hands you would call on a certain student because of the type of discussion that their particular answer may spark based upon their ethnicity and/or their personality. In regard to a certain time in history, such as the 80's, you might specifically ask an older student to describe use of colors that they might remember around that time, or pertinent styles of dress or interior design. Both examples could serve two purposes: 1) they are validating to the individuals being questioned and 2) they could be catalysts for further positive discussion or benign controversy by other students. As we know as educators, the right kind of controversy
can be thought-provoking, not hostile, and can promote further knowledge and understanding.
I think that a great idea.
Keith Steege
Hi Melissa,
This is what makes you a good instructor. You are willing to learn as much as your students since they are bringing such diverse backgrounds into your class. Great growth experience.
Gary
i have students with all different types of backgrounds and ethnicities and I love the fact that sometimes they give me a new insight to a certain topic. it's great to hear different perspectives and makes the class more interesting
Hi Dale,
An immediate referral to the central office would be in order for a student that is not functioning in a proper manner in the class. You cannot take a chance on having a student injured as a result of a student acting out. I would suggest you talk with your campus administrators and learn what their policy is concerning such matters. You need to know also the step by step way the college wants to handle such situations.
Gary
One of the problems we run across is how to handle the mental problem student. I found in the past while working at a retirement community that one needs to go along with the reality of the person instead of trying to make them join your reality. I don't know if that will work in some situations. Anybody else deal with this?
Hi Tony,
I commend you on using your students as resources. I believe we instructors need to use the life experiences our students have to help other students. Through the sharing that goes on in the class both the older and younger students can grow in their knowledge and abilities.
Gary
Often I find the older students taking the younger ones under their wing. Many of my older students had the same problems the younger ones now face and are willing to give advice.
I also agree that when you have students of various backgrounds (cultures & ages) it is not always easy to get them to work together. However, by forcing them to work with someone that they would not normally work with it,makes the individual students more aware of the type of personalities they will be dealing with in the industry.
Hi Juan,
An effective way of doing this is to group the different age students together in learning groups. These learning groups then can work on case studies or problem solving projects. By having different aged students working together they can help each other learn about the other plus develop respect for the life experiences that the older students bring to the classroom.
Gary
I agree, I have the same type of students with differents age and backgrounds.but I always try to encourage them to be a team players and help each other.
I think instead of narrowing the discussion we need to broaden the discussion to include all responses. It may take a bit more time however it will be more inclusive and less excusive.
