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Jack Tanklefsky

Mrs. Stover

Teacher Cadet

3 November 2018

Diverse Learners Artifact

The students in a schooling system are largely akin to the strings of a ukulele. Every

string is largely important in its own regard, but are vastly different than the other strings.

Without the ensuing chords to accompany the A string, the C chord stands alone, by itself, flat.

When the other strings are played in unison with this C chord, however, they combine to make a

beautiful melody. No string, in any way, shape, or form is worse than another, the strings are just

different. Similarly, some learners may struggle with communication, but may demonstrate

academic excellence, while a different student may communicate with others exceptionally, but

struggle with academic activities. Some students struggle when in an uncomfortable and

unfamiliar environment, however, if they have people similar to them or a welcoming classroom,

they can begin to assuage their worries. This diversity in the classroom, the strengths and

difficulties that each individual student brings to the classroom, is paramount for classroom

success, the catalyst for a better education.

Because all learners are different and individually rich, defending Colorado Teacher

Quality Standard II is important. In this standard, it describes the importance of promoting

positive classroom environments that have diverse and enriching perspectives. All students are

different and an educator should have amicable lesson plans that cater to these differences. The

more diverse these lesson plans are, the more the students are going to benefit from classroom
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instruction. With the culmination of diverse ideas, the classroom becomes more rich with

individual strengths and new insight. Students can glean information off of each other and

become more exposed to new ideas.

The different types of learner benefit from variant types of instructions. Some students

are visual learners who learn better while watching a video or a presentation, but for someone

who is a kinesthetic learner, a student who learns best with hands on activities, this teaching

method may not be as effective. Other students may be analytical, where they work well with

numbers and require many instructions to fully grasp classroom concepts, but may struggle with

artistic projects that have little instruction and more artistic freedom. A diversification in

classroom instruction and activity is pivotal to reach each learning demographic that a diverse

classroom has. Examples of this could be different options for projects, video or research, or

having note taking options for classroom lectures. In my experience, Kahoots are options that get

students of all learning types involved, Kinesthetic learners use their devices and hands to learn,

auditory learners can listen to the sound track, visual learners use pictures added to questions to

further their understanding. Furthermore, auditory learners can listen to books on tape while

reading to help with grasping concepts better.

In order to garner the needs these different types of learners, a teacher must be able to

identify the student’s preferred learning styles. If giving a lecture, an instructor notices many

kids yawning, the teacher can take this as a hint to diversify the lessons, as the students who are

not auditory learners may be struggling to remain focused. Student identification does not need

to be so subtle, either. Asking students their preference or having students take learning styles

quizzes could be useful information for teachers to better identify their students. Diversity in
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learners may be rather obvious, as well. Students with special needs may have an aid standing by

to help them if conflict arises, or the counseling office can proctor IEPs for applicable students,

which comes with legal documents sent directly to a teacher. If a teacher knows their classroom

better, they are able to grow stronger bonds with the students, obtain deeper understanding of

how and why students learn the ways that they do. The students are learning -- of course -- but so

are the teachers. Understanding student’s preferences could be pivotal to keeping students

engaged, ready, and wanting to learn.

Creating a welcome classroom environment for these diverse learners is paramount to

success for students; they will not want to learn in an environment where they do not feel

respected or safe. Regarding Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a student worried about their safety

will not be able to focus on classroom instruction. Students with IEPs will be much more

comfortable when in a classroom where the teacher is amicable to changes in lessons. Some may

need more time on classroom assignments or accommodations to better their learning. Even

simple solutions like learning student’s names and understanding where each student comes from

could help tremendously with classroom comfort. Students in LGBTQ+ communities may

benefit from classrooms that offer safe and welcoming environment to those who identify with

the LGBTQ+. On our first day of my Teacher Cadet class, my teacher offered her preferred

pronouns to the class when she began her introductions. Simple gestures like slightly modified

introductions can help to offer more inclusive classroom environments.

Personally, my perception of all diverse learners has changed to become more profound,

more insightful toward the diverse learner. We had an in class activity that helped to give insight

to the struggles of students enrolled in special education classes. I was instructed to not speak,
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and instead, use a piece of paper with popular words written on it to communicate. When I was

asked a question, I pointed at my answer. Other students were given much different methods of

communication, one with a button that repeated, “May I have a cookie, please.” This student

found it frustrating to communicate their thoughts when asked a question, possibly shedding

insight on the struggles that children with special needs often go through. Because of the diverse

learners unit, my understanding of the different types of students has grown exponentially,

knowledge that I will hope to apply in a classroom of my own.

Diverse learners, the different ways students learn, and why, has proven to be

instrumental information. Because every student is different and provides key, individual

strengths, strengths that should be encouraged, all students contribute to the harmonious sound of

a better education.