The Internet is a useful tool that can truly help to develop a students understanding and respect for diversity. Because the Internet is a tool that is expanded in a worldwide platform students are exposed to a variety of people and opinions on a daily basis. Simply clicking on a Facebook feed can expose a student to numerous points of view and outlooks on many current events. According to Lyn Hilt, the author of “The Case for Cultivating Cultural Awareness”, the biggest mistake that we can make is to foster a classroom environment that allow students to only associate with others who are similar to themselves and therefore allow students to not be challenged. In order for students to thrive in the world outside of home and school students need to be exposed to differing view points and beliefs and be allowed the opportunity to understand how to react in these situations.
The Internet allows students numerous resources to expand their knowledge on issues and to be exposed to differing belief systems. Among these tools are Skype and Edublog. Skype is a valuable resource, which can be used to connect with experts in the field on subjects that are being studied or can be used to contact those individuals who are directly related to relevant topics, which are being debated in our everyday society. Edublog is another resource in which students are able to express their beliefs and opinions through a written source. Blogging in this manner is a great way for students to put across their opinions outside of the classroom and to be exposed to other forms and areas of belief outside of their usual environments. Blogging can also provide a form of collaboration with students in other areas of the world and can help to facilitate conversation on understanding a deeper content and appreciation for subjects that would otherwise be one-dimensional.
Although the Internet is a tool that is accessible to students of all diversities it is up to the teacher to differentiate which platforms to use for each student. Because the Internet allows teachers to have access to a paperless learning environment that openly supports critical thinking, it is important to still consider each students learning stile and to differentiate the material accordingly. Having access to differing levels of learning can allow the teacher to appropriately mandate material to each students learning style and level or learning.
The Internet allows students numerous resources to expand their knowledge on issues and to be exposed to differing belief systems. Among these tools are Skype and Edublog. Skype is a valuable resource, which can be used to connect with experts in the field on subjects that are being studied or can be used to contact those individuals who are directly related to relevant topics, which are being debated in our everyday society. Edublog is another resource in which students are able to express their beliefs and opinions through a written source. Blogging in this manner is a great way for students to put across their opinions outside of the classroom and to be exposed to other forms and areas of belief outside of their usual environments. Blogging can also provide a form of collaboration with students in other areas of the world and can help to facilitate conversation on understanding a deeper content and appreciation for subjects that would otherwise be one-dimensional.
Although the Internet is a tool that is accessible to students of all diversities it is up to the teacher to differentiate which platforms to use for each student. Because the Internet allows teachers to have access to a paperless learning environment that openly supports critical thinking, it is important to still consider each students learning stile and to differentiate the material accordingly. Having access to differing levels of learning can allow the teacher to appropriately mandate material to each students learning style and level or learning.