This course will consider the myriad of ways in which students in a single classroom can differ and how it can impede learning.  The characteristics and implications of physical and sensory disabilities and health impairments; cognitive, emotional and psychological differences; and racial/ethnic, gender, cultural, socio-economic and linguistic variability will be discussed.  External and internal forces driving instructional adaptation and their implications for teachers will be covered.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this program,

1. Critically appraise the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion in a complex and contested environment.
2.  Analyze the external and internal forces driving instructional adaptation for physical and sensory disabilities and health impairments and their implications for teachers.
3. Analyze the external and internal forces driving instructional adaptation for racial/ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, linguistic and gender differences and their implications for teachers.
4. Apply instructional adaptations tailored to students displaying behavioral, psychological, cognitive and/or academic difficulties and create opportunities for transformational change in instructional content and delivery in the classroom.
5. Examine the concept of diversity and the differences between traditional classrooms vs diverse classrooms including the physical environment and emotional environment.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week.

Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Diversity in the Classroom

Week 2: Unit 2 – Physical and Sensory Impairments

Week 3: Unit 3 – Instructional Adaptations for Physical and Sensory Impairments

Week 4: Unit 4 – Cognitive, Psychological, and Emotional Differences

Week 5: Unit 5 – Instructional Adaptations for Cognitive, Psychological, and Emotional Differences

Week 6: Unit 6 – Racial, Ethnic, Gender. Socioeconomic, and Cultural/Linguistic Diversity

Week 7: Unit 7 – Instructional Adaptations for Racial, Ethnic, Gender. Socioeconomic, and Cultural/Linguistic Diversity

Week 8: Unit 8 – Diversity in the Classroom

Learning Guide

Unit 3: Instructional Adaptations for Physical and Sensory Impairments

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Begin the Group Activity (Due Unit 6)

Unit 4: Cognitive, Psychological, and Emotional Differences

• Peer assess Unit 3 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Continue to participate in the Group Activity
• Complete the Portfolio Activity

Unit 5: Instructional Adaptations for Cognitive, Psychological, and Emotional Differences

• Peer assess Unit 4 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Continue to participate in the Group Activity
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete the Portfolio Activity

Unit 6: Racial, Ethnic, Gender. Socioeconomic, and Cultural/Linguistic Diversity

• Peer assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete the Group Activity
• Complete the Portfolio Activity

Unit 7: Instructional Adaptations for  Racial, Ethnic, Gender. Socioeconomic, and Cultural/Linguistic Diversity

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment

Unit 8: Diversity in the Classroom

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete the Portfolio Activity
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation