Answer to Question #216675 in Sociology for Ziyanda Ngese

Question

Diversity in school context and its impact on classroom practices. Introduction: Introduce what you intend to discuss in the essay and define your key terms. (5) 2. Body of the essay in which you should deal with the following: o Discuss the three theoretical perspectives on diversity: Race, class and gender. (20) o Discuss why an understanding of the concepts race, class and gender is essential and how such an understanding can assist with classroom practice and insight into learners’ social contexts. (10) o Provide three short, relevant educational examples to substantiate the above point. (10) 3. Conclusion in which you wrap-up your response, return and summarise the main points in the essay. No new sources of information should be added to the conclusion. (5)

Answer 1

Answer

Currently, diversity in school context is affecting teaching and learning in various ways. Although working and learning with people from different backgrounds and cultures present in the classroom, student gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, diversity also teaches students how to use their own strengths and points of view to contribute in a diverse working environment. Cultural diversity in the classroom is on the rise, however in our increasingly diverse and multicultural society its more substantial for teachers to incorporate culturally responsive instruction in the classroom. Furthermore, an understanding of the race, gender, and class can assist with classroom preparation and insight into learner’s social contexts.

Diversity in the classroom can be managed in various ways so as to ensure both the classroom environment and the curriculum are responsive to the increasing cultural diversity of our society. Besides, understanding the race, class, and gender of the learners can help foster strategies that will encourage students to be culturally aware, develop a sense of identity and foster inclusion in the classroom community. Despite getting to know the students, as a teacher, one should continue to maintain an ongoing communication with the students throughout the school year. This can help teachers to identify issues or ways to improve the overall experience of the student’s as they talk about what they felt included in the classroom.

In general, understanding of the learners’ race, class, and gender will result in effective teaching and learning in a classroom context. Further, it is essential for teachers to acknowledge and respect every student so that the students may celebrate and respect their own diverse backgrounds. In addition, approaches that will enable understand their race and gender should be formulated so as to make them culturally aware and foster insertion in the classroom. Besides, teachers should encourage students to research and learn about their own ethnic and cultural backgrounds and this will enable learners to boost their understanding in the classroom and beyond.