Understanding Essential

Concepts and Diversity

of Special and Inclusive
Education
MODULE 1
 Lesson 1:
Understanding
Diversity
 OBJECTIVES:
In this topic, learners should be able to:
Demonstrate appreciation to learners’ diversity through understanding
different individual qualities.

Acquire deep knowledge on the student’s diversity using Loden’s

Diversity Wheel;

 Give ways of managing a diverse classroom.

• Name qualities which describe who you are.
(Aspects which you think are innate or cannot be
controlled)

• Name qualities which describe you but can be

controlled if given the right circumstances.
 What is
Diversity?
• It is any dimension that a person
or a group can be differentiated
from one another.
 Learner’s
Diversity
• As students enter the classroom,
they bring with them a unique
background, set of skills, and
educational needs.

• No two students learn the same

because of these traits.
• It is all about empowering
people by respecting and
appreciating individual
differences in terms of age,
ethnicity, religion, disability,
sexual orientation, education,
and national origin.
 Learner’s
Diversity
• In our increasingly diverse and
multicultural society, it’s more
important than ever for teachers
to incorporate culturally
responsive instruction in the
classroom -- whether teaching
elementary school, middle school
or high school students
 The term “diversity” often
carries with it additional
concepts and concerns such
as inclusion.

• This means we talk about diversity & inclusion

• We have diversity in the world and in our lives because of differences.

This module topic is not about social justice and society’s institutional
responses to difference. Rather, this module topic addresses the ways
we as individuals see differences.
 Loden’s
Diversity
Wheel
 • It was Marilyn Loden and Judy Rosener
in 1990 who developed a framework for
thinking about the different dimensions
of diversity within individuals and
institutions.

Loden’s • Depicted as concentric circles, this

Diversity “Diversity Wheel” can be used in many
Wheel different ways to encourage thinking
about values, beliefs, and dimensions of
identity for people and organizations
(YMCA of the USA, 2020).
• Diversity may include
anything and everything
which sets us apart.

• It does not focus only on the

visible aspects of us but the
invisible which reside our
beliefs and values. This wheel
was created to bridge the
similarities and differences
between cross societal and
cultural boundaries (Lou and
Dean, 2010).
• If we would be narrow-minded in looking
what constitute diversity, we will miss the
opportunity of effectively establishing
connections and serving all members of the
community most especially your students in
your respective classrooms .
How will you manage diversity in
the classroom?
 Managing
Diversity in the
Classroom
There are several ways teachers can ensure that both the classroom
environment and curriculum are responsive to the increasing cultural
diversity of our society.
1. Get to Know Your Students
• Take the time to learn about each student’s
cultural background, hobbies, learning styles,
and what makes them unique.

• Demonstrating a genuine interest in learning

about each student and their culture will
help establish trust and allow you to form a
bond with them so they feel valued.

• Communication is the core to a culturally

aware and inclusive classroom
2. Maintain Consistent Communication

• Aside from getting to know your students,

teachers should also continue to maintain
ongoing communication throughout the
semester or school year.

• Scheduling 1-on-1 meetings with students

to “check in” every so often will allow you to
consistently improve how accessible the
classroom is to everyone.
 3. Acknowledge and Respect Every
Student

• It’s also important for students to celebrate

and respect their own diverse backgrounds,
as well as each other’s.

When appropriate, teachers should encourage students to research and

learn about their own ethnic and cultural backgrounds

• Learning how to talk about other cultures in

a respectful, mature way is essential for
success in life outside the classroom.
 4. Practice Cultural
Sensitivity
• While it’s important to keep an
open dialogue amongst students,
it’s equally as important to make
sure you’re being sensitive to
everyone’s culture, beliefs, and
language concerns.
5. Incorporate Diversity in the
Lesson Plan
• The classroom environment is important for
fostering cultural awareness, but you also
should ensure diversity is represented in your
actual lesson plan.

• Regardless of the subject, always try to present

and connect lessons to real-world issues. It’s
easier to promote cultural awareness within
your lessons when there’s a real example for
students to relate to.
 6. Give Students Freedom and Flexibility

• The most valuable lessons are often learned through a

student’s own experiences, so giving them some freedom in
the course encourages more connection to the curriculum.

• Allow students to read and present their own materials that

relate to the fundamental lesson so they can approach the
topic from their own perspective.

• As a teacher, you can act as a facilitator and encourage

conversation and healthy debate between diverse opinions
REFERENCE:

Diversity Wheel. Association of Science and Technology Centers, Children's Discover

y Museum of San Jose, and Association of Children's Museums (2020). Retrieved from
https://community.astc.org/ccli/resources-for-action/groupactivities/diversitywheel#:~:t
ext=Depicted%20as%20concentric%20circles%2C%20this,A dapted%20from%20%E
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