I appreciated the strategies to be more inclusive. I have to be careful about using humor!
Cultural Diversity is an important concept to maintain as we progress toward cultural competence and cultural humility.
to be sensitive and inclusive
It's not what I learned, but what I understood about the difference between Individual vs Stereotype. Treating students as unique individuals allows them to express themselves freely, fostering creativity and confidence. Stereotypes, on the other hand, can create pressure for students to conform, which may limit their true potential and growth
generalizations are usually not accurate
The negative effects of stereotyping
It is important to acknowledge cultural and learning differences in student, so you as the instructor have the opportunity to adjust your teaching methods to encompass more interaction from all students.
I learned two key things:
As an instructor, I must plan my lesson flow to meet the needs of each learner. Strategies I used as a K-12 educator for differentiated instruction and assessment carry over to higher education. (I can adjust them so that students do not feel as it they are being treated like children.) Also, my plan cannot be rigid, I must be able to modify and adjust based on how students are engaging the content.
Second, I must be careful to be self-aware of the inner bias and stereotypes I hold due to gender. For example, I can find myself asking the males in my class to do helpful tasks for me because they are "taller" or "stronger." I need to think before I speak.
I should not make assumptions about a students' interests based off of immutable traits such as gender. Example, I will not assume that a male nursing student would not be interesting in going into labor and delivery.
Everyone is not the same and we need to remember that when we are speaking to a group of people or individuals
Everyone is different but still deserve to be treated fairly
Sensitivity toward all genders, and assure every student is included in class instruction.
Comment on Julie Williams's post: Agreed, Julie.
Stereotyping is generally more exclusive than helpful.
It’s important to be aware of my own biases and stereotypes. Providing a safe and inclusive environment will ensure the success of students.
I learned that when teaching people with diverse background you must also include the information in their native tongue.
As an instructor, it is important to be mindful that each student has unique skills, learning styles and experiences that they bring to the environment. Never assume or categorize a student's abilities based on stereotypes but take the opportunity to not just know their name, but who they are as a person to maximize learning.
It is imperative to treat all students as a separate individual.
