Module 4

INDIVIDUAL
DIFFERENCES

Take the Challenge!

In this module, challenge yourself to:
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.

(Student Diversity)

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES

ADVANCE ORGANIZER
Individual Differences Factors

Benefits of Diversity in the

Classroom.

Classroom Strategies for Student

Diversity.

Activity:

Provide information about your

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

name:
age:
gender:
nationality:
province:
language/dialects spoken:
hobbies/interests:
favorite subjects:
subject you are best in:
subject you find difficult:
ambition:(what you want to be in the future)

ANALYSIS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

In what ways are you and your classmates

similar?
In what ways are you and your classmates
different?
How does a girl differ from a boy in
behavior?
In what ways does an American differ from
a Filipino?
How does life in the province differ from
that in the city?
Are you glad you have similarities?
differences?

FACTORS THAT BRING ABOUT

STUDENT DIVERSITY
In all learning environments, individuals
interact with others who are in some way
different from them. It also comes from
other factors like the following:

Socioeconomic status
Thinking/learning style (module 8)
Exceptionalities (module 9)

HOW STUDENT DIVERSITY

ENRICHES THE LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT?
1.
2.

Students self-awareness is enhanced by diversity.

Student diversity contributes to cognitive
development.
The classroom is peculiarly the marketplace of ideas. William J. Brennan

3.

Student diversity prepares learners for their role

as responsible members of society.
The classroom can provide more than just theory given by the teacher in a
lecture. With student diversity, the classroom becomes a public place where
community can be practiced. Suzanne Morse

4.

Student diversity can promote harmony.

SOME TIPS ON STUDENT

DIVERSITY
1.
2.
3.

Encourage learners to share their personal history and

experiences.
Integrate learning experiences and activities which promote
students multicultural and cross-cultural awareness.
Aside from highlighting diversity, identify patterns of unity
that transcend group differences.
Every human is, at the same time, like all other humans, like some humans,
and like no other human. Clyde Kluckholn cited in Wong, 1991)

4.

Communicate high expectations to students from all subgroups.

5.
6.

7.

8.
9.

Use varied instructional methods to accommodate

student diversity in learning styles.
Vary the examples you use to illustrate concepts in
order to provide multiple contexts that are relevant
to students from diverse backgrounds.
Adapt to the students diverse backgrounds and
learning styles by allowing them personal choice
and decision-making opportunities concerning
what they will learn and how they will learn it.
Diversify your methods of assessing and evaluating
student learning.
Purposely, form small-discussion groups of
students from diverse backgrounds. You can form
groups of students with different learning styles,
different cultural background, etc.

Thank you
and
Good night!