Traditional and Diverse Classrooms

 What makes Diverse learning different from traditional learning is nothing but the institution and/or instructor's philosophy and perspective. For example, America has almost always had classrooms that encompassed students with different gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, abilities, and disabilities. What is becoming different today is that educators and education authorities are starting to acknowledge the existing diversity and planning to address it. More educators are starting to realize that teaching in diverse classes requires varied instructional strategies to be effective.  

in my opinion, one of the main differences between a traditional classroom and a diverse classroom is the type and purpose of the pedagogical approach. In other words, the traditional classroom is usually teacher centered where students are not required, or expected, neither to take initiative nor to responsibility of their own learning. For example, students of a traditional classroom are expected to carry out instructions given to them by any adult in school, as Karanasiou, A. (2019) denoted. 

On the other hand, we find the diverse classroom usually student centered. In that we find instruction that takes into consideration not only the different backgrounds of students but also what knowledge they bring to the equation. This is a challenging task for most teachers because it requires teachers to find strategies that would help them recognize the different needs of their students.  Educators need to create inclusive learning environments that promote learning outcomes for all students, as Garibay, Juan. (2014) has explained. 

Another difference is how instruction is carried out. Sessions for different subjects are delivered in an array of ways that differ from traditional lecturing. For example, collaborative learning, peer discussions, group discussions, group projects, pre recorded and online material, presentations, peer evaluation and instruction are all examples of tools that educators use in a diverse classroom. Furthermore, traditional classrooms usually utilize the same material at the same point. A diverse classroom can accommodate multiple content that could be divided according to the levels of students. 

Ultimately, the purpose of traditional education is usually to impart a set of knowledge, skills, and social norms. And in turn, students are supposed to obediently receive and believe such sets of answers. This behaviorist philosophy usually focuses on observable behaviors while discounting any independent activities of the mind. This one-size-fits-all educational philosophy has proven to be inefficient and ineffective.

References

Garibay, J. (2014) Diversity in the classroom. UCLA Diversity and Faculty Development. UCLA, Los Angeles. Retrieved from: https://equity.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DiversityintheClassroom2014Web.pdf

Karanasiou, A. (2019). Traditional classroom. Retrieved 19 November 2020, from https://www.slideshare.net/aggkar/traditional-classroom