Republic of the Philippines

PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY

Camarines Sur

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

HANDOUT 3
Understanding Diversity

We are living in this world with “the mix” of human similarities and differences.
No two individuals are exactly the same. This module will help the students learn to live
in peace and unity when they choose to understand and accept the extensive diversity
in our society. If not in the school where they are in right now, sometime in the future
they will be living and working in an environment made up of all races, religions,
abilities, physical characteristics and ages. Discrimination will not be an option.

A. Diversity

Definition of Diversity

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means

understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences.
These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-
economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other
ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing
environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond
simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity
contained within each individual.

Source: https://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~asuomca/diversityinit/definition.html

Defining Diversity

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect for the full range of
human characteristics in their socioecological, historical, and cultural contexts, as well as
understanding that each individual, family, community, and societal group has uniqueness that
make them different from others. These differences include but are not limited to age,
ethnicity, class, gender, disability, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, as well as
religious status, gender identity, immigration status, educational background, geographical
location, income, language, marital status, parental status, trauma exposure, and work
experiences, as well as intersectional positionalities (CUNY, 2017).

The concept of diversity does not mean equality, inclusion or pluralism, but is a separate
concept, having its own set of values and practicing principles. However, diversity, equality,
inclusion and pluralism are interrelated (Palmer & Watkins, 2018).

Diversity as a Value

Diversity is an ethical principle that means more than just acknowledging and/or
tolerating difference. Diversity is an active appreciation and affirmation that individuals and
communities deserve to be recognized in their uniqueness and differences. By making
differences visible, we are able to see, nurture, and utilize the strengths of all persons.

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

It is additionally important to support and protect diversity because by valuing

differences we foster a climate where equity and mutual respect are promoted, and where
dehumanization and oppression are incompatible. Diversity is a value held by individuals and
groups from a broad spectrum of demographic and philosophical differences.

 Valuing diversity does not minimize similarities or commonalities across groups or

among humankind, but rather affirms the co-existence of differences that reflect the full
expression of humanity and every hue of skin color having equal value, regardless of
race or ethnicity.

 Valuing diversity include intentionally working to relate respectfully to those qualities

and conditions that are different from our own and outside the groups to which we
belong.

 Valuing diversity include openness, the acknowledgement of “not knowing” and the
realization and commitment to lifelong learning about human diversity and ways to
interact with those different from ourselves.

 Valuing diversity requires holding institutions, organizations and ourselves accountable

to working to address ways in which resources and supports are available to ensure
inclusivity and equal opportunity.

Diversity in Practice

Diversity is a set of conscious practices that involve, but are not limited to the following:

 Acknowledging that people have the right to be different from others.

 Understanding and appreciating interdependence of humanity, cultures, and the natural

environment.

 Practicing mutual respect for qualities and experiences that are different from our own.

 Understanding that diversity includes not only ways of being, but also ways of knowing.

 Recognizing that personal, cultural and institutionalized discrimination creates and

sustains privileges for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for others, in
particular for those who are considered “different” from the majority or dominant social
group in any given social context.

 Building alliances across differences so that we can work together to eradicate all forms
of discrimination.

 Exploring these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment.

 Understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and
celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

 Practicing cultural humility.

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

B. Loden’s Diversity Wheel

The Diversity Wheel

“The mix” of human similarities and differences

4 Layers of Diversity

• The Core Dimension is how we think and communicate.

• Internal Dimensions are largely out of our control but have a powerful impact
on behaviors and attitudes.

• External Dimensions are largely within our control and are choices formed by
environmental, social and cultural factors and experiences.

• Organizational Dimensions are largely defined and influenced by the group or

organization in which we work.

C. Ability and Disability as a Dimension of Diversity

Ability, faculty, talent denote qualifications or powers. Ability is a general word for power,
native or acquired, enabling one to do things well: a person of great ability; ability in

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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

mathematics. Faculty denotes a natural ability for a particular kind of action: a faculty of saying
what he means.

www.dictionary.com › browse › ability

Ability definition is - the quality or state of being able; especially : physical, mental, or legal
power to do something. How to use ability in a sentence.

www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › ability

Disability - is a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes

with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks ...
www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › disability

A disability is any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or
interact with the world around them. These conditions, or impairments, may be cognitive,
developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or a combination of multiple factors.
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Disability

A disability is any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or
interact with the world around them. These conditions, or impairments, may
be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or a combination of
multiple factors. Impairments causing disability may be present from birth or occur during a
person's lifetime. The World Health Organization proposes the following definition of
disabilities:
"Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation
restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a
difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation
restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Disability
is thus not just a health problem. It is a complex phenomenon, reflecting the interaction
between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives."
— World Health Organization, Disabilities
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability

Overcoming Diversity in the Classroom

Inclusion (United Nations, 2005)

 Is essentially a call to improve the quality of education for all learners
• Welcome diversity
• Benefits ALL learners, not just the marginalized
• Provides equal access to quality education without exclusion
• A call for reform of formal, non-formal, and general education
 Inclusion is about the presence, participation and achievement of all students
• Particular emphasis is on learners who may be at risk of
marginalization, exclusion, or underachievement.

Diversity in
 Learning Styles
 Strengths
 Weaknesses
 Interests
 Subject Preferences
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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

 Language Preferences
 Religious Beliefs
 Cultural Differences
 Socioeconomic Differences
 Gender Differences/preferences
 Disability

Accommodation

 Intends to even out the playing field for students with disabilities so that they can
be successful in an inclusive classroom
 Does not alter the content of assignments, give students an unfair advantage or in
the case of assessments, change what a test measures,

1. Presentation Accommodations

 Listen to audio recordings instead of reading text

 Learn content from audiobooks, movies, videos and digital media instead of
reading print versions.
 Work with fewer items per page or line and or/ materials in a larger print size
 Have a designated reader
 Hear instructions orally
 Record a lesson, instead of taking notes
 Have another students share class notes with him
 Be given an outline of a lesson
 Use visual presentations of verbal material, such as word webs and visual
organizers
 Be given a written list of instructions

2. Response Accommodations

 Give responses in a form (oral or written) that’s easier for him

 Dictate answers to a scribe
 Capture responses on an audio recorder

 Use a spelling dictionary or electronic spell checker

 Use a word processor to type notes or give responses in class
 Use a calculator or table of “match facts”

3. Setting Accommodations

 Work or take a test in a different setting, such as a quiet room with few distractions
 Sit where he learns best (for example, near the teacher)
 Use special lighting or acoustics
 Take a test in small group setting
 Use sensory tools such as a band that can be looped around a chair’s legs (so
fidgety kids can kick it and quietly their energy out)

4. Timing Accommodations

 Take more time to complete a task or a test

 Have extra time to process oral information and directions
 Take frequent breaks, such as after completing a task
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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

5. Scheduling Accommodations

 Take more time to complete a project

 Take a test in several timed sessions or over several days
 Take sections of a test in a different order
 Take a test at a specific time of day

6. Organization Skills Accommodations

 Use an alarm to help with time management

 Mark Texts with a highlighter
 Have help coordinating assignments in a book or planner
 Receive study skills instruction

Modification

 Intends to change the playing field for students with disabilities so that they can
be successful in an inclusive classroom
 Alters the content of assignments and requirements to allow students an
opportunity to participate in class.

1. Assignment Modifications

 Complete fewer or different homework problems than peers

 Write shorter papers
 Answer fewer or different test questions
 Create alternate projects or assignments

2. Curriculum Modifications
 Learn different material (such as continuing to work on multiplication while
classmates move on to fractions)
 Get graded or assessed using a different standard than the one for classmates
 Be excused from particular projects

ACCOMMODATION MODIFICATION
Physical or environmental Changes in content
Nature of Adjustments changes, generally referred knowledge expectations and
to as good teaching strategies assessment/evaluation
practices
Learning Content Same as the Class Different content
Requirement Content is same as the class Simpler requirements to
but delivery/mode may be ensure students compliance
different
Grading System/Rubrics Same as the Class Altered/lowered to meet
student’s needs

Differentiated Instruction

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

While accommodation refers to helping a single with a specific disability, differentiated

instruction includes all students in a class learning the same content and all being
challenged at their ability level.

Ways to Differentiate:

1. Presentation
- How it is taught

TEACHER-CENTERED STUDENT-CENTERED
Whole class instruction Stations
-Lectures -Discovery activities
-Demonstrations -Choice activities
Small group instruction Cooperative groups
-Teacher-led groups -Problem-based learning
-Groups doing independent work -Traditional book learning but
-Groups doing problem-solving students are helping each other
cooperative group work

2. Process
- How it is done

Traditional pencil-paper
Cooperative groups
Stations
Compacting
Independent contracts
Choice opportunities

3. Product
- How to demonstrate knowledge

 Traditional assessments
 Written reports/papers
 Art/Video projects
 Oral reports/presentations
 Power Point Presentations
 Skits/Songs/Dances

Managing Differentiation

1. Decide what to teach

-Content, Standards, outcomes

2. Pre-assess to determine existing knowledge and needs

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

3. Create groupings
-Ability grouping
-Cooperative groups

Presentation

1. Materials
2. Directions
3. Noise levels
4. Student movement
5. Room arrangement
6. Teacher assistance
7. Monitoring of students

Expectations

1. Establish behavior norms

2. Train the students
3. Build in accountability for both groups and individual students
4. Assess and reflect

F. REFERENCES

Diversity. (n.d.). https://drc03.drc.ohiolink.edu/handle/2374.OX/181289?

offset=1&type=datecreated&focusscope=2374.OX/181282&mode=browse.

Diversity slide 1) DIVERSITY Slide 2) what is diversity. (n.d.).

https://wwww.drc.ohiolink.edu/bitstream/handle/2374.OX/181289/Diversity%20Guided
%20Notes.pdf?sequence=2.

Diversity wheel. Diversity Wheel - Welcome to CCLI (Cultural Competence Learning Institute).
(n.d.). https://community.astc.org/ccli/resources-for-action/group-activities/diversity-
wheel.

Arvin Kim Arnilla Follow Associate Professor of Education. (n.d.). Diversity and inclusive
education. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/kim2009/diversity-and-inclusive-
education.

Miller, Katz, & Manners. (n.d.). Dimensions of diversity introduction to diversity - ppt video
online download. SlidePlayer. https://slideplayer.com/slide/7018387/.

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

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