Awareness Makes You Friends: Addressing Diversity Concerns in the Classroom

 

Heather Karner, Tuyen Nguyen & Debra Mauzy-Melitz

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2017, Volume 38

Abstract

With the growing diversity seen on college campuses every year, miscommunications and misunderstandings are inevitable. Issues can arise due to differences in backgrounds, cultures, learning and studying preferences, and numerous other characteristics that make every individual unique. Even though this rich diversity can lead to disagreements, its existence also teaches tolerance and understanding of one another’s differences. Students, instructors, and mentors alike have a pressing need to be inclusive and cognizant of how each of our own diversities influence the classroom and student learning outcomes. The road to tolerance and inclusion is a bumpy one, but can sometimes be made less arduous with a conversation. This workshop will provide an environment to discuss several case studies of potential situations that students, instructors, and mentors may encounter on campus while trying to navigate their own and other’s diversities. We will work together to come up with better ways to handle misunderstandings when they arise, and ways to anticipate and prevent potential discord in the classroom. Join us and start the conversation on how to start the conversation.

Keywords:  classroom diversity

University of Houston (2016)