General ways that students differ

Question

Chapter 3 begins its focus on diversity by discussing nine general ways in which students differ (culture/ethnicity/race, religion, gender, language, motivation, academic self-concept, temperament, learning styles, and reading ability). Briefly explain how students in any four of these areas may differ from one another making reference to specific distinctions discussed in the text. Next, describe three ways that having such diversity within a class may have significant implications for your work as a teacher. Construct your response in terms of the four general areas of diversity you first discussed. Finally, identify strategies you can use to prepare yourself to better address these implications.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANS: Scoring guide:

Key elements that should appear in an appropriate response:

* For full credit for the first assignment, a student must describe any four of the nine general areas of diversity with reference to specific characteristics. It is not sufficient, for example, to say that some students are on a higher reading level than others.
* For the second assignment, full credit requires the student to reflect on the implications of diversity among students and to identify at least three ways that diversity will influence what occurs in the classroom.
* Finally, the student must explain possible strategies for addressing each of the three implications of diversity identified in part two of the question.