Defining diversity and individuality in educational practice

Education Diversity

I define diversity as simply the quality of difference that is observed in different things and people. Diversity in a social context is code word for people of color such as blacks and Latinos. Diversity is always to be encouraged in many educational contexts although I think it is mostly misunderstood by students and teachers alike. To me diversity, is simply a word that highlights the amount of similarity or lack of similarity in two distinct objects. The word has been charged in recent years with a potency to increase inter-racial harmony and understanding. Diversity is the opposite of equality.

I am diverse in many ways. My diversity is a product of my physical, emotional and mental capabilities and effusions. My culture is not unique but I am diverse because in the way I apply it to my own personal philosophy and understanding of the world. Some characteristics that describe my diversity include: my family, my place within my family, my race, my place within my race, my eyes, my fingerprints, my smell, my style, my favorite foods, my love for dogs and my hatred for cats, my musical ability, my athletic ability, my ability to empathize with others, my tennis game, my golf game and my cooking skills all contribute to my diversity.

Question 3

The individual is often frowned down upon in today's society. There are strict but hidden rules that prevents even the mentioning of some words, regardless of context. My individuality is guaranteed by my faith in my creator and the uniqueness of my situation here on earth as I exist today. Uniqueness is inescapable. Just living and being provides a radiant beam of life that is vibrating at its own unique frequency. Individuation occurs, at least for me, at an internal and inward level of consciousness that will never be fully understood or manifested in the material world. To know myself is to be myself and uniqueness is inherent in the greater self as well.

Question 1

The student diversity is an enjoyable aspect of the learning environment and professional environment as well. The balanced racial profile of this school reflects the larger community and provides a useful microcosmic model of creating harmonious environments. Diversity is accepted well here and terms like racist are not taken seriously or have a real serious impact. Our differences are accepted, celebrated and laughed about in many instances at this school. The students themselves are often oblivious to race unless it is pressed upon them by the school or faculty, race in terms of diversity is for the most part a non-issue and can only help the environment.

Question 2

The school I examined takes advantage of diversity to enrich the learning and teaching experience by accepting people for who they are and not judging them for who they are not. While slang and other cultural linguistic influences are discourage in the formal educational proceedings, a social environment has been set to allow people to freely express themselves in the more relaxed settings of a school. By accepting diversity and understanding our own place within society the school can use this influence to help mold confident young people that are able to express themselves with dignity and aplomb.

Question 3

Universal Design Learning or UDL framework incorporates the educator's ability identify, fuse and synthesize, individual learning techniques and apply them to the classroom situation. Diversity is inherent in the UDL because of its emphasis on providing multiple means of representation, expression and engagement to stimulate learning and provide a decent education. The universal ideal is slightly ironic because it treats diversity as a complete or whole idea. This approach is incorporated in my school by the flexibility many of the teachers have in creating a curriculum that is specific to the needs of the classroom culture and ability.