Perhaps the clearest and most direct way to make the reading and general learning experience more personally relevant, however, is to include an analysis of text-to-self-connections in reading lesson plans and tasks. Not only does this lead explicitly to every individual developing their own context for reading a given text, making them consciously aware of the different perspectives that exist in literature and in the wider world, but a lack of ability to connect to specific texts can bring to light subtle yet profound injustices that might exist in he material chosen in many standard curricula (Boyer 1990). In this way, adjustments can be made in the curriculum and one-on-one discussions (or even classroom discussions) can help individual learners connect with texts even through the disparity in culture, class, or age that they might perceive between themselves and the text. That is, the aspect of this separation can itself be used as a way to connect with and analyze a given text.
Conclusion
There are numerous ways in which diversity can be utilized to enrich the learning experience, and just so there are many...
Approaching diversity as an asset to be utilized rather than a challenge that must be surmounted is an excellent step towards creating a more effective learning environment. This is something I will definitely continue to utilize in my own teaching practice, and that I will attempt to foster in all of my students as they pass through my classroom.
References
Baldwin, S.C.; Buchanan, a.M. & Rudisill, M.E. (2007). What Teacher Candidates Learned About Diversity, Social Justice, and Themselves From Service-Learning Experiences. Journal of Teacher Education, 58(4), 315-327
Boyer, E. (1990). Campus Life: In Search of Community. Jossey-Bass.
Farstrup, a.E. (2002). The Value of Diversity. Reading Today, 19.
Grant, C.A. & Sleeter, C.E. (2006). Turning on Learning: Five Approaches for Multicultural Teaching Plans for Race, Class, Gender and Disability. Jossey-Bass.
Hinton, K. & Barry, T. (2004). Literacy, Literature and Diversity. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 48.
