Diversity in schools means the different learning styles and abilities of each of the individuals within the school community to me. While each person may have different cultural and ethnic experiences, what is important to my ability to help them is understanding how they learn. By knowing whether a student learns better through reading about a subject, or listening to lectures, or through hands-on experimentation, I am better able to adjust how I provide them the information they require to be successful. Using technology to introduce the information to them in a variety of styles can make all the difference in both the success of the student and the success of the media center program. A learner that does better with lecturing may appreciate a podcast more than say a learner who likes to manipulate material. That student may need to have the information available in a format in which they can destruct and construct the information. Providing the latest technology, keeping current on websites and materials, and providing a personable atmosphere that is conducive to learning is important for me as the media specialist.
In doing all of these things, I will make it easy for the students to learn in the manner in which they need, but it will also make it easier for them to understand the differences in themselves. Seeing someone else learning in a different way may give them an appreciation for the struggles we all face. This can only lead to positive growth for everyone in this diverse community.
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1 comment:
Cates,
I agree that media specialists should be able to adapt to each learning style just as a teacher adapts to her students each year. I believe that if society appreciated the fact that we have different thoughts and ideas we could probably solve many of the issues that we face today. What a boring world this would be if we all had the same ideas and solutions when dealing with problems. If media specialist allow themselves to adapt to different learning styles it could lead to a great learning opportunity for us and who knows we may find some new technology that we could implement into a classroom lesson or use in the media center.
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