4.

3 Diversity, Cultural Understand & Global Awareness

Candidates model and facilitate the use of digital tools and resources to support
diverse student needs, enhance cultural understanding, and increase global
awareness. ( PSC 4.3/ISTE 5c)
Artifact: Diversity Blog Post
Reflection:
The diversity blog was completed in ITEC 7430. The assignment was to discuss
ways diversity was addressed in my classroom. The blog entry describes the ways
in which diversity is attempted in my classroom.
In the post, I discussed ways on how I modeled and facilitate different strategies
and techniques to support diverse student needs. Each student is unique and
brings into my classroom a different set of needs, it is my job to figure out what
works best for them. Of course there are IEPs and accommodations that help with
the process, but primarily it is just me. At the beginning of the semester I like to
give a survey and find out how the student learns. Is he a visual or auditory
learner? Do they like to work in groups or by themselves? This gives some idea
into their learning personality. I also review their Lexile score on record to see at
what level they can read. This helps with the application problems in math. I also
video some of the topics which help students review the material at home again for
comprehension. I likewise address diversity by modeling and facilitate helping
students enhance cultural understanding. I believe every student should have a
safe and secure place to learn. Just because they are different does not mean they
cannot learn. Math is a universal language. The content allows a student form a
culturally different back ground to understand. As a class discussion, we talk about
how important math is globally. From finance, to engineering, to science math plays
a pivotal role in todays society. I try and model and facilitate an increase
global awareness on the content I teach brings. I hope the discussion broaden
their awareness of how math is being used around the world.
From completing this blog post, I learned different ways to differentiate in my math
class. One thing I would have changed, I would have liked to connect with a math
class in a different country. Have the students complete a lesson on line with a
student from a different country. Instead of me talking about it, the students could
have experienced it. I think being able to work with students around the world
would provide a unique perspective for my students.
This artifact impacted student learning in a very positive way. It made me a better
and complete teacher. I felt prepared to work with all types of students. The
students were introduced globally on how math makes a huge difference in our
lives. This artifact was very meaningful for the students.