Student Diversity
Individual Differences
Prepared by: Sheila Apaitan S.
Take the challenge!
In this module, challenge yourself to attain the
following learning outcomes:
◦ Identify the different factors that bring
about diversity in the classroom.
◦ Demonstrate a positive attitude towards
diversity as an enriching, element in the
learning environment.
◦ Come up with teaching strategies that
consider student diversity.
Individual differences
“ Everyone is unique ”
Advance Organizer
Individual differences
(Student Diversity)
Individual Benefits of Classroom
differences Diversity Strategies for
Factors In the Classroom Student Diversity
Factors that Bring about
Student Diversity
1. Socioeconomic Status- the millionaires’
lifestyle differs from that of the middle income or
lower income group.
2. Thinking/learning style-
-some of you learn better by seeing
something; others by just listening; and still
others by manipulating something.
3. Exceptionalities – Difficulty in spoken
languages comprehension or in seeing, hearing, etc.
How Student Diversity Enriches
the Learning Environment
1. Students’ self-awareness is enhanced by diversity
◦ Exposing students to others with divers
backgrounds and experience also serves to help
student focus on their awareness of themselves
2. Student diversity contributes to cognitive
development
◦ the opportunity to gain access to the perspectives
of peers and to learn from other students, rather
than instructor only, may be especially important
for promoting the cognitive development of
learners.
3. Student diversity prepares learners for their
role as responsible member of society
◦ The capacity to imagine situations or problems
from all perspectives and to appreciate all
aspects of diversity.
4. Student diversity can promote harmony
◦ When student diversity is integrated into the
classroom teaching and learning process, it can
become a vehicle for promoting harmonious race
relations.
Some tips on Student Diversity
1. Encourage learners to share their personal
history and experiences
◦ Student will be made to realize that they have something
in common with the rest.
2. Integrate learning experiences and activities which
promote student’ multicultural and cross-culture awareness
◦ Linggo ng Wika
◦ Ethnic/racial groups
◦ Internet discussion groups or e-mail
3. Aside from highlighting diversity, identify
patterns of unity that transcend group
differences.
4. Use varied instructional methods to
accommodate student diversity in learning
styles.
◦ Diversity the sensory/perceptual modalities
through which you deliver and present information
and pictorial presentation
◦ Diversity the instructional formats or procedures
you use in class:
Use formats that are Student-centered and
teacher-centered.
Use formats that are Unstructured and structured.
Use procedures that involve both independent
learning and interdependent learning.
5. Vary the examples you use to illustrate
concepts in order to provide multiple context
that are relevant to students from diverse
backgrounds.
◦ have student complete personal information
cards during the first week of class and use this
information to select examples.
◦ Ask student to provide their own examples of
concepts basis on experiences drawn from their
personal lives.
6. Adapt to the students’ diverse backgrounds
and learning styles by allowing them personal
chose and decision-making opportunities
concerning what they will learn how they will
learn it.
a. Promotes positive student attitudes towards the
subject matter
b. Foster more positive interactions among students,
c. Results in students working more consistently
with lesser teacher intervention
7. Diversify your methods of assessing and
evaluating student learning.
a. Individually-delivered oral reports,
b. Panel presentations
c. Group projects
d. Visual presentations
8. Purposely, form small-discussion groups of
students from diverse backgrounds. You can form
groups of students with different learning styles,
different cultural background, etc.
a. The instructor is removed from center stage,
b. Students are exposed to the perspectives of other
students, thus increasing their appreciation of
multiple viewpoints and different approaches to
learning.
